China News Agency, Beijing, April 29. Comprehensive news: United Nations Secretary-General Guterres visited the town of Borodyanka in Kyiv, Ukraine on the 28th.
On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Guterres in the capital Kyiv.
U.S. President Biden sent a letter to Congress on the 28th, requesting the approval of a total of $33 billion in "Emergency Supplementary Funding for Fiscal Year 2022" to provide security, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg said on the 28th that if Finland and Sweden decide to submit an application to join NATO, NATO will welcome it "with open arms".
Ukrainian President meets UN Secretary-General
UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Ukraine after his visit to Russia on the 27th.
The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Coordination in Ukraine posted on social media on the 28th that Guterres visited the town of Borodyanka in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Guterres in the capital Kyiv on the 28th.
The two sides discussed issues such as the evacuation of Mariupol personnel.
According to the official website of the Ukrainian Presidential Palace, Zelensky thanked Guterres for communicating with Russia on the evacuation of Mariupol personnel and for their efforts to ease the situation at a joint press conference held after the meeting.
He said that the Mariupol Azov steel plant is still being bombed, and the Uzbek side is willing to hold urgent talks with the Russian side on the evacuation of local personnel.
Zelensky said he expected Guterres' mediation to be effective.
Interfax (Ukraine) reported that Guterres called for an end to the conflict.
He said the United Nations is expanding aid to Ukraine, including cash, food and medical supplies.
TASS also quoted Guterres as saying, “During my visit to Moscow, President Putin agreed in principle to the participation of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from the Azov steel plant in Mariupol. At present, the immediate priority is to end the conflict and provide dialogue for dialogue. Create the conditions for peace. Today Zelensky and I are discussing this to move the agenda forward.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on the 29th that China welcomes Secretary-General Guterres' mediation efforts to ease the situation in Russia and Ukraine.
China has always supported Russia and Ukraine to overcome difficulties in continuing negotiations, and welcomes all efforts made by the international community to persuade peace and promote talks.
Biden asks Congress to approve $33 billion in "emergency supplemental funding" for Ukraine
U.S. President Biden sent a letter to Congress on the 28th, requesting the approval of a total of $33 billion in "Emergency Supplementary Funding for Fiscal Year 2022" to provide security, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
"This is a transition to providing long-term security assistance to Ukraine." Biden said in a speech at the White House that day that the funds will be used to address the needs of the Ukrainian military in the critical weeks and months ahead.
Biden emphasized that the United States will not send troops to fight in Ukraine, but will provide strong military assistance and unite Western countries to deal with Russia's military operations.
Of the "emergency supplemental funding," $20.4 billion will be used to provide military and security assistance to Ukraine and support U.S. cooperation with NATO allies to strengthen European security, according to a statement released by the White House.
U.S. Defense Secretary Austin revealed during a meeting with Canadian Defense Minister Anand at the Pentagon that day that the additional appropriation will provide $16 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Among them, $6 billion will be used to purchase weapons and equipment for Ukraine, $5 billion will be used to provide Ukraine with key materials from U.S. military inventory, and the other $5 billion will be used to strengthen NATO's east flank operations and additional investment.
Turkish and Russian leaders discuss the situation in Ukraine by phone again
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone again on the 28th to discuss the situation in Ukraine and other issues.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish President's Office, Putin thanked Turkey on the 27th for assisting Russia and the United States in the exchange of detainees.
Erdogan said Turkey's efforts in this process are meaningful in mediating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The Turkish side hopes to continue the progress made in the Istanbul negotiation and will continue its mediation efforts to achieve lasting peace as soon as possible.
According to the Kremlin website, Putin and Erdogan had a phone call on the same day, and the two sides said they would continue to discuss the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
The Russian side expresses its gratitude to the Turkish side for the exchange between Russia and the United States at Ankara Airport in Turkey for Russian citizen Yaroshenko and American citizen Reid.
NATO secretary general says Finland and Sweden could join NATO quickly
NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg said at an event in the European Parliament on the 28th that if Finland and Sweden decide to submit an application to join NATO, NATO will welcome it "with open arms".
He said that Finland and Sweden have cooperated with NATO for many years, and the armed forces of the two countries also meet NATO standards. NATO will find a transitional arrangement for the joining of the two countries, and it is expected that the approval process will be quick.
On the 28th local time, the official account of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video saying that Bulgarian Prime Minister Petkov visited Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.
Dutch Foreign Minister Hoekstra announced on social media on the 29th local time that the Dutch embassy in Ukraine will be moved back to Kyiv with immediate effect.
The United Kingdom, France, Italy and other countries have also recently reopened their embassies in Kyiv.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting with visiting German Chancellor Scholz in Tokyo on the 28th.
According to Kyodo News, the two sides agreed to condemn, sanction Russia and support Ukraine.
The Russian Satellite News Agency reported on the 29th that Fumio Kishida will visit many Asian and European countries, including Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Italy, to discuss the situation in Ukraine with heads of state.
Fumio Kishida said on his Twitter that he intends to have a frank exchange of views with leaders of various countries on the situation in Ukraine.
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