Russia-Ukraine updates: Russian missile strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities

Dozens of injuries were reported in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Russia has continued a nearly 19-month-long invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Recently, though, the Ukrainians have gone on a counteroffensive, fighting to reclaim occupied territory.

For previous coverage, please click here.


0

Zelenskyy says he received 'unambiguous statement' Ukraine will be in NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he received assurances that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and told reporters he believes it will happen "as soon as the security situation is stabilized," when answering questions after the conclusion of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Wednesday.

When asked what Zelenskyy got out of the summit, he said he received "support from the leaders and an unambiguous statement that Ukraine will be in NATO."

"I believe that we will be in NATO as soon as the security situation is stabilized. In simple terms, the moment the war is over, Ukraine will definitely be invited to join NATO and Ukraine will definitely become a member of the alliance. I have not heard any other opinion today," Zelenskyy said.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman


Wagner forces turn over weapons, military equipment to Russian forces

Wagner forces are turning over weapons and military equipment to the Russian Armed Forces, the country's defense ministry said Wednesday.

More than 2,000 pieces of equipment and weapons were transferred to the Russian Armed Forces from Wagner forces, including hundreds of tanks, air defense systems, self-propelled artillery mounts, armored personnel carriers and more, the defense ministry said.

Among the equipment, dozens of units have never been used in combat before.

Russian forces also received more than 2,500 tons of various ammunition and about 20,000 small arms, the defense ministry said.

Separately, the Belarusian Interior Ministry has "begun talks seeking to invite Wagner Group members to train its troops," Interfax, a Russian news agency, reported Wednesday.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman


Zelenskyy has 'powerful' meeting with Biden

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his in-person meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Lithuania’s capital on Wednesday was "very good" and "powerful."

Zelenskyy took to Twitter after their meeting ended in Vilnius, saying it lasted "twice as long as planned" and "was as meaningful as it needed to be."

"If the protocol had not stopped the meeting, we would have talked even longer," he tweeted.

Zelenskyy said their meeting covered "all the topics," including long-term support for Ukraine, weapons, politics and NATO membership.

"We clearly see how to end this war with our common victory," he added. "Thank you, Mr. President!"


Biden, Zelenskyy meet in Lithuania

An in-person meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden is currently underway in Lithuania's capital.

Zelenskyy took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to announce that their bilateral meeting in Vilnius "has begun." It's the third face-to-face meeting to take place between the two leaders this year.

"The focus is on security and everything that enhances it," Zelenskyy tweeted. "It will be meaningful."


Putin has 'already lost' the war in Ukraine, Biden says

Coming off a "very productive summit" with NATO allies, President Joe Biden offered a forceful dismissal of Vladimir Putin’s efforts to capture Ukraine during a joint press conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.

"There is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine. He's already lost that war," Biden said.

Biden has made similar statements before about Putin’s chances of success, though it’s particularly notable coming off of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his top military officials Wednesday.

Biden wouldn’t give a timeline for how long he thinks the war can continue, but he ruled out a yearslong offense.

"I don't think the war could go on for years for two reasons. No. 1, I do not think that Russia could maintain the war forever -- No. 1 in terms of their resources and capacity. No. 2, I think that there is going to be a circumstance where eventually, President Putin is going to decide it’s not in the interest of Russia economically, politically or otherwise to continue this war," Biden said.

"But I can't predict exactly how that happens," he continued. "My hope is and my expectation is you’ll see that Ukraine makes significant progress on their offensive and that it generates a negotiated settlement somewhere along the line."

-ABC News' Molly Nagle and Cheyenne Haslett