Russia-Ukraine live updates | Russia to ‘intensify’ fighting, Zelensky warns as EU decision looms

Here are the latest developments from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict

Amid the ongoing crisis, NATO’s chief warned that the war in Ukraine could last “for years” as President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed on Sunday that his forces would not give up the south of the country to Russia after his first visit to the frontline there.

Mr. Zelensky, after making a trip to the Black Sea-city of Mykolaiv and the Odessa region on Saturday, said, “We will not give away the south to anyone, we will return everything that’s ours and the sea will be Ukrainian and safe.”

In a rare trip, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 18 paid a visit to war-damaged southern city of Mykolaiv for the first time since the Russian invasion. As per the video released by Mr. Zelensky's office, the President can be seen looking at a badly damaged high-rise residential building in the city and holding a meeting with local officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was likely to intensify its "hostile activity" this week, as Kyiv awaits a historic decision from the European Union on its membership application.

Nearly three months after Russia launched a bloody invasion of his country, Mr. Zelensky said there had been "few such fateful decisions for Ukraine" as the one it expects from the EU this week.

"Only a positive decision is in the interests of the whole of Europe," the President said in his evening address on Sunday.

"Obviously, we expect Russia to intensify hostile activity this week ... We are preparing. We are ready," Mr. Zelensky continued.- AP