Russia responded with skepticism to the Ukraine-specific peace summit the day before and announced restrictions on access to areas in the Belgorod region.

A call to cast doubt on Russia. On Tuesday July 16, the Kremlin responded cautiously to the words of Volodymyr Zelensky, who opened the door the day before to talks with Moscow during the next peace summit. Russia has also announced that it will block access to the border areas with Ukraine in the Belgorod region due to regular shelling by the Kiev military. Here’s what to remember from Tuesday.

Moscow will control access to border areas

This is an admission of defeat on Moscow’s part. The Russian region of Belgorod will restrict access to 14 areas near the border with Ukraine from July 23 due to routine shelling by the Kiev military, its governor Vyacheslav Klatkov announced. Two and a half months ago, the Russian military launched an offensive in the region in part to stop attacks.

Although Russian forces captured some Ukrainian territory in the region, they never succeeded in creating the buffer zone desired by Vladimir Putin or breaching Ukrainian defenses. According to Kiev, Russian forces suffered very heavy losses.

“We have already lost many civilians, many have been injured and our task is to take maximum security measures.”A reconnu Viatcheslav Gladkov. “Checkposts will be set up at the entrances of (these) localities and representatives of the police will be stationed there.” He described. The official also clarified that public transport“Including taxis will be banned” In these areas.

Russia doubts Volodymyr Zelensky’s invitation to peace summit

The Kremlin reacted cautiously to Volodymyr Zelensky’s words, which opened the door to talks with Russia the day before. Ukraine’s president made the pledge on Monday Support Moscow’s presence at future peace summitsAfter that Organized in Switzerland, mid-June. It brought together dozens of leaders, but Russia was excluded.

“The first peace summit is not a peace summit. So, obviously, what we need to understand first [Volodymyr Zelensky] thereby “Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president, announced in an interview with the Zvezda channel.

Kyiv and Prague agreed to manufacture weapons

Ukrainian and Czech arms companies have signed contracts to manufacture assault rifles and ammunition on Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigel announced from Prague. “Now it is important to supply our army” He announced the creation of the first contract with the Cellier & Bellot Group “An Ammunition Factory in Ukraine”.

“The second contract concerns the production of assault rifles in Ukraine by Colt CZ Group”, he was joined by his Czech partner Petr Fiala. No precise timetable was immediately communicated.

The EU wants to continue helping Ukraine

Some 20 EU member states have warned Budapest that support for Ukraine should be a priority for the European bloc, some reveal. “anger” And “disappointment” After Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow. The tone has risen in recent days between European institutions and the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, which has been held by Hungary since July 1.

“Viktor Orban’s visit to Putin in Moscow is a shame not only for Ukraine, but for the other 26 member states”Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svandsson announced. “The Hungarian presidency began with a diplomatic lone rider, which we welcomed with great disappointment”Also initiated his German counterpart Christian Lindner.