War on Day 101: Struggling in Severodonetsk, Ukraine doesn’t want to negotiate yet

Russia puts all its strength into Severodonetsk

Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai said on June 4 that Russia is using all possible forces to control the industrial city of Severodonetsk and the entire Donbass region.

Smoke rises from Severodonetsk on June 2 AFP

According to previous estimates, Russian forces controlled 70% of the city, but Haidai said the Ukrainian side had regained 20% of the lost territory and estimated it could hold out for the next two weeks. The official also said that Russian forces are knocking down bridges over the Seversky Donets River to prevent Ukraine from providing aid to Severodonetsk.

See more: Ukraine temporarily regained 20% of the territory in Severodonetsk

Ukraine’s military said on June 4 that Russia had reinforced its forces and used artillery to attack Severodonetsk but had to retreat after unsuccessful advances in the nearby town of Bakhmut and was unable to cut off transport routes to Severodonetsk.

However, the Russian military claimed that some Ukrainian units in Severodonetsk had to withdraw to Lysychansk across the river because of heavy losses. Russia also announced that it had killed 400 Ukrainian soldiers and many other targets.

See more: Russia kills 400 Ukrainian soldiers

Ukraine does not want to negotiate

Ukraine’s negotiator David Arakhamia said that the country wants to increase its position on the battlefield with new Western weapons before restoring peaceful dialogue with Russia, according to Reuters.

An apartment building on the outskirts of Kharkiv was destroyed by artillery fire on June 4 AFP

“Our armed forces are ready to use those new weapons and then we can start a new round of dialogue from a strengthened position,” Arakhamia said. After that, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak also stated that until Ukraine received enough weapons, consolidated its position, pushed Russian forces as far back to the border as possible, then Kyiv would accept negotiations.

Avoid humiliating Russia to make way for diplomacy

In an interview with the media, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had told his Russian counterpart that Putin had made a “historic and fundamental mistake” in launching the campaign. military in Ukraine. “I think he isolated himself,” the French president said.

Regarding the solution to the war, Mr. Macron emphasized not to humiliate Russia. “Once the hostilities are over, we will be able to pave the way out of this crisis through diplomacy. I believe that France should act as a mediator,” Macron said.

This statement was later opposed by Ukraine. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter that Macron’s call only humiliated France and those who called for it. “Because Russia is humiliating itself. We all better focus on telling Russia where it is. This will bring peace and save lives,” Kuleba wrote.

See more: French president says Russian leader made ‘historic mistake’

Finland, Sweden joining NATO will be difficult for Russia

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley assessed that Sweden and Finland joining NATO would put Russia in a difficult position militarily in the Baltic Sea, according to Reuters.

Speaking at a press conference with the Swedish leadership in Stockholm on June 4 before NATO and Finland and Sweden exercises in the Baltic Sea, Mr. Milley said that this is a sea of ​​strategic importance. The accession of the two Nordic countries will help NATO control most of the Baltic coast.

General Milley (left) and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (centre) and the US ambassador to Sweden Erik Ramanathan aboard the US amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge in Stockholm on June 4 Reuters

In May, President Putin said that there is no problem if Finland and Sweden join NATO, but the expansion of NATO’s military infrastructure to the two Nordic countries will certainly lead to a response by Moscow.

See more: President Putin: Russia will respond if NATO strengthens in Northern Europe

Ukraine seeks to rescue prisoners of Azovstal

Ukraine’s Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskiy said that the country’s intelligence services are keeping in touch with soldiers who fought at the Azovstal steel plant in the city of Mariupol. The minister said Kyiv is doing his best to get these soldiers released.

Hundreds of gunmen have been detained by Russia since mid-May after receiving orders to surrender from Kyiv. Ukraine wants to exchange prisoners, but some Russian officials have said those arrested could face trial or death.