War Ukraine - Russia, last minute | Zelenskiy appears to confirm Bakhmut's loss by saying 'nothing left'

• Ukrainian War The battle for Bakhmut comes to an end
• Japan G7 Close: Zelenskiy Seeks Support in Global South

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday he believes Bakhmut is "no longer" held by Ukraine, but his remarks were ambiguous and he downplayed the strategic importance of the city, saying there is "nothing" left and that its buildings have been "destroyed."

Zelenskiy made the remarks at a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G7 in Hiroshima and when asked by reporters whether Bakhmut was still in Ukrainian hands.

"I think not," Zelenskiy replied and, addressing the reporter who asked him, added: "What you must understand is that there is nothing, they have destroyed all the buildings. For now, Bajmut only exists in our hearts. There's nothing. Well, a lot of dead Russian soldiers, but they came for us."

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10:18

Lula and Modi supported a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine war

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday that all emerging powers participating in the G7 summit in Hiroshima, including India and Brazil, "support the principle of sovereignty" and say the conflict in Ukraine "must end peacefully."

"We had important conversations with these countries, we spoke frankly and we gave an important message to the world," Kishida told a news conference in the city's Peace Park today at the conclusion of the group's leaders' summit.

According to the Japanese president, the countries reached an agreement on four points, which include respecting sovereignty according to the UN constitution, resolving conflicts peacefully, not allowing the change of the global status quo by force and protecting the free and open international order based on law.

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9:55

Putin says battle for Bajmut is over

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday congratulated Wagner's mercenary force and the Russian military for what he called the "liberation" of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, which Russia calls by its Soviet-era name, Artyomovsk.

In a statement posted on the Kremlin's website, Putin said the battle, the longest and bloodiest of the 15-month war, had ended with a Russian victory, and that all those who stood out on Moscow's side would receive state awards. .

"The Head of State congratulated the Wagner assault groups, as well as all members of the units of the Russian Armed Forces who provided them with the necessary support and cover on their flanks, for the completion of the operation to liberate Artyomovsk (Bakhmut)," the statement said.

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9:37

Zelensky's spokesman says Ukraine's leader did not confirm Russian capture of Bakhmut

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has not confirmed Russian forces' capture of the besieged eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, his spokesman said Sunday.

"Reporter's question: the Russians said they took Bakhmut," Sergii Nykyforov wrote on Facebook. "President's response: I don't think so."

He added in Ukrainian: "In this way, the president denied the capture of Bakhmut."

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9:29

Sunak highlights Zelenskiy's presence in Hiroshima and progress in support for Ukraine

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's presence at the G7 summit in Hiroshima was "a moment of historic significance" and noted "very tangible" progress in support for Kiev.

"The image of the G7 and our partners shoulder to shoulder with President Zelenskiy sends a powerful message about the unity and determination of the G7," Sunak said at a press conference to close his participation in the summit held during the last three days in this city in western Japan.

The head of government of the United Kingdom welcomed that the member countries of the G7 have recently announced new provisions for Kiev of air defense artillery, tanks and long-range missiles, as well as the approval of the United States to the training of Ukrainian pilots in the handling of F-16 fighters and the new battery of sanctions announced by several of the countries of the forum.

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9:01

Biden announces shipment of more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday the supply of new U.S. weapons and ammunition to Ukraine during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelenskiy, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

The new shipments will include "ammunition, artillery, armored vehicles," Biden declared, days after announcing to Washington's allies his agreement to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

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8:44

Trudeau: 'We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes'

Canada will support Ukraine for as long as necessary in its conflict with Russia, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday, adding that he conveyed that support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a meeting in Japan.

Trudeau made the comment at a news conference in Hiroshima as members of the Group of Seven (G7) wrap up a three-day summit.

Canada would also continue to train the Ukrainian military as it has been doing since 2015, he said.

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8:01

Zelenskiy believes Russia has "not" taken Bakhmut, but downplays the city's importance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday he believes Russia has "not" taken Bakhmut, but his statements were ambiguous and he downplayed the strategic importance of the city, saying there is "nothing" left and that its buildings have been "destroyed."

Zelenskiy made the remarks at a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G7 in Hiroshima and when asked by reporters whether Russia has taken the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

"I think not," Zelenskiy replied and, addressing the reporter who asked him, added: "What you must understand is that there is nothing, they have destroyed all the buildings. For now, Bajmut only exists in our hearts. There's nothing. Well, a lot of dead Russian soldiers, but they came for us."

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7:15

Russia says it has captured Bakhmut, epicenter of fighting in Ukraine

Russia said Saturday that it captured the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut (east), epicenter of the fighting, and Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his troops and the private Russian group of mercenaries Wagner.

The Russian military's announcement came hours after Kiev said the battle was continuing and the situation was "critical," while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was in Hiroshima, Japan, for the G7 summit, where he wants the international community to step up its pressure on Moscow.

Bakhmut, a salt-mining town that once had a population of 70,000, was the scene of the longest and bloodiest battle in Moscow's offensive that has swept more than a year.

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7:00

The G7 intensifies pressure against Russia over the war in Ukraine

The leaders of the Group of Seven on Sunday stepped up pressure on Russia over its war on Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelensky is at the center of a diplomatic offensive on the final day of a summit of the world's richest democracies.

Zelenskyy's in-person attendance at one of the world's most prominent diplomatic meetings is meant to heighten attention in his country's 15-month fight against Russia.

Even before Zelenskyy arrived on a French plane on Saturday, the G7 nations had announced a new round of sanctions and other measures to punish Moscow and hamper its war capabilities.

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