you could join us. we begin with some news from the war in ukraine. russia says its troops have fully captured the ukrainian city of bakhmut. there has been no immediate reaction from kyiv to those claims, but if true, it could mark an end to the longest and bloodiest battle of the 15 month war. russia has been trying to take bakhmut since last year in a grinding war of attrition. and in the last few minutes, the russian news agency interfax has said president putin congratulated his troops for capturing the city. earlier, ukraine had said its units were still fighting in the city. this comes on the heels of the us agreement to allow ukrainian pilots to train in american made f 16 jets. a move moscow had criticised. meanwhile, ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky has been on a whirlwind tour in an effort to drum up support and weapons for an expected counter offensive against russia. it s been a busy few hours for zelensky, touching down injapan on saturday for diplomatic t
james waterhouse. thank you forjoining us. what do you make what the ukrainian president said there?- you make what the ukrainian president said there? well, it s clear that bakhmut, president said there? well, it s clear that bakhmut, this - president said there? well, it s. clear that bakhmut, this eastern city, has once again become a distraction as president zelensky continues to engage in this never ending diplomatic treadmill, he is on an extraordinary overseas trip where he has addressed the arab league summit, spoke of the nations that have previously sat on the fence when it comes to russia s invasion of ukraine, he is now meeting the g7 economies injapan where his priority in his mind is to secure the long term further military and financial help, he does seem to be doing that, not least with america giving the green light for f i6 fighterjets to be provided potentially by other allies, but the questioning this morning has mostly been about this eastern city of ba
discussions with the prime minister ofjapan, the prime minister of australia and presidents and important meetings. we also hold another meeting here rather than an australian patent bilateral discussions with the prime minister ofjapan, the prime minister of australia president simmons king of ukraine as well as the parents television. this is my third trip to the pacific as president, look forward to scheduling my strips and guinea and australia later. spoken of the feminist and secretary blinken is travelling bed to meet with specific partners at that moment, and i will also host, and of the prime minister, who still notice of the pacific in the four. mr albanese, a state visit later this year. and i also want to thank the president of his outstanding leadership of the g7. they have shown to joe, leadership of the g7. they have shown tojoe, a team hospitality. the city and visiting and visiting on friday was a painful reminder of the devastating reality of nuclear war, and