The Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces says the situation around Bakhmut is “extremely tense”.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting officials from all five former Soviet republics.

Moscow has accused the United States of preparing a “toxic chemicals” provocation in Ukraine.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, is due in Beijing to begin a three-day state visit.

end item*