He will tell the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Switzerland today that the UK will support the embattled nation for the “long term” and resist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. The Foreign Office said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had asked the UK to support the recovery of the capital Kiev and the surrounding area. But efforts to rebuild the region are made more challenging by Russia’s ability to hit the capital with missiles as Kremlin forces slowly advance east. Ms Truss will use the conference in the city of Lugano to outline a vision for providing immediate and long-term support to Ukraine. Other developments:
In his overnight speech, Mr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from the key Donbas town of Lysychansk, but vowed to retake it Eight Ukrainian city and village leaders are being held captive in Russia, according to the Union of Ukrainian Cities Ukrainian forces repel Russian advances in Novomykhailivka, Bohorodychne and Ivanivka Russian landmine explodes, killing one civilian and injuring another in Odesa region
“Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will be a symbol of the strength of democracy over autocracy. It will show Putin that his efforts to destroy Ukraine have only created a stronger, more prosperous and more united nation,” he is expected to say. “The UK is resolute in its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and will stand by Ukraine as it emerges as a strong, prosperous and innovative democracy. “We have led in supporting Ukraine during the war and will continue to lead in supporting the Ukrainian government’s reconstruction and development plan.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 4:33 Russia says it controls Lysychansk Ms Truss will announce her plans to host next year’s recovery conference as the government commits to a Marshall Plan-style program, a reference to that used to rebuild Europe after the Second World War. “The UK will do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine wins the war and recovers. We have to be in this for the long term,” he is expected to add. Russia seizes Lysychansk – Zelenskyy vows to retake key city: Follow live updates Moscow is focusing its offensive on the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk after President Putin withdrew his troops from an offensive on Kyiv after they faced fierce resistance. Subscribe to Ukraine War Diaries on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Spreaker On Sunday, President Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from Lysychansk after a fierce Russian offensive, but vowed to regain control of the area with the help of long-range Western weapons. Russia said its capture of Lysychansk less than a week after it captured neighboring Severodonetsk gave it full control of the eastern Luhansk region. Last week, Russia hit Kyiv with missile strikes in what Ukraine said was an attempt to intimidate as the city’s residents try to return to normal life under siege.
