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.
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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."
G-7 reaffirms 'unwavering commitment' to Ukraine in joint declaration
In a joint declaration released Wednesday, the leaders of the Group of Seven reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment to the strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic and sovereign Ukraine."
"We will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes," the joint declaration states.
G-7 leaders wrote in the joint declaration that they are working to "formalize" their "enduring support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuilds its economy, protects its citizens, and pursues integration into the Euro-Atlantic community."
They also said they will "work with Ukraine" on an "enhanced package of security commitments and arrangements in case of future aggression to enable Ukraine to defend its territory and sovereignty."
The G-7 is an intergovernmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman
Ukraine 'is bringing home significant security victory,' Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy applauded the "outcome" of the annual NATO summit on Wednesday, describing the new commitments to his country as a "significant security victory."
"Ukrainian delegation is bringing home significant security victory," Zelenskyy said in brief remarks alongside world leaders in Lithuana's capital. "For our country, for our people, for our children."
Zelenskyy's laudatory tone was a sharp departure from his comments on Twitter the previous day. He told reporters that the long-term commitments announced by G-7 leaders on Wednesday would "absolutely" open "new security opportunities" and that he was "grateful."
"I thank everyone who made it possible," he added.
-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett
G-7 leaders stand with Zelenskyy to announce long-term security commitments for Ukraine
G-7 leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden stood alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lithuania's capital on Wednesday to announce a new long-term security package for Ukraine's future, while reaffirming that Kyiv has a place in NATO -- but not yet.
"All our allies agreed Ukraine's future lies in NATO. That's not a surprise to any of us, I don't think. I hope it's not a surprise to you, Mr. President," Biden said, turning to Zelenskyy during the press conference in Vilnius.
"Ukraine continues to make progress on necessary reforms," he added. "But we're not waiting for that process to be finished to make the long-term commitments that we're making to Ukraine security."
The U.S. commander in chief said he and Zelenskyy discussed what guarantees could be made to Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv earlier this year.
"Today, the members of the G-7 are launching the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine to make it clear that our support will last long into the future," Biden told reporters. "This starts the process by which each of our nations and any other nation who wishes to participate will negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments with and to Ukraine."
"We're going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense across land, air and sea," he added, "from which will be a force of stability in the region and deter against any and all threats."
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Several Ukrainian pilots to receive F-16 training in US
Beginning in October, the U.S. will provide F-16 training to a small number of Ukrainian pilots and maintenance teams, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday.
Ryder said "several" pilots and "dozens" of aircraft maintenance personnel will begin training at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, after they receive English training in September at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. The number of pilots and personnel will be determined by Ukraine.
"Although some Ukrainian pilots have English language skills we are anticipating that all the pilots coming to the United States will require some level of additional English language instruction, given the complexities and the specialized English that's required to fly these aircraft," said Ryder.
Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon's deputy press secretary, told reporters earlier this week that the U.S. was open to the idea of training on F-16's if European countries reached capacity though she couldn't define what numbers would constitute capacity. Ryder on Thursday also wouldn't provide a number and said the U.S. wasn't going to wait for the Netherlands and Denmark to reach capacity.
"We know that as the Danes and the Dutch prepare to train those pilots that at a certain point in time in the future, capacity will be reached. So preemptively acknowledging that and leaning forward in order to to assist with this effort is the impetus for why we're doing this now," said Ryder.
Ryder wouldn't get into when F-16 deliveries to Ukraine might begin. Denmark's Prime Minister said over the weekend that the first Danish F-16's could arrive by New Year's.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez