<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">As Ukraine continued to wage its counter-offensive against Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky went to the newly recaptured north-eastern city of Izyum on Wednesday.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During his visit to the city, a key logistics hub, Mr Zelensky thanked troops and oversaw a flag-raising ceremony.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He pledged that the Ukrainian flag would return to every city and village in the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In recent days, Ukraine's army has reclaimed swathes of occupied territory, forcing Russian troops to retreat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ukrainian officials say they are targeting towns in the eastern Donbas region after making a series of gains.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While Ukraine advanced on the ground, there were more signs that the Kremlin remained undaunted in pursuing its so-called "special military operation".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he urged Vladimir Putin to withdraw troops and re-enter talks with Ukraine when the two leaders held a 90-minute phone call the previous day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, he said Mr Putin had "unfortunately" not changed his position on the invasion and apparently did not realise it was a mistake.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr Scholz emphasised the importance of continuing to talk to Mr Putin and said the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine would be the only way for "peace to have a chance in the region".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After hearing some home truths from the German chancellor, Mr Putin seems set to receive a more sympathetic ear from another world leader.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">China's Xi Jinping, who is making his first trip overseas since the start of the pandemic, is due to discuss the war in Ukraine and other "international and regional topics" at a meeting with the Russian president later this week, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr Xi is seeking a historic third term, while Mr Putin's relations with the West are at rock bottom over Ukraine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr Xi made his first stop in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, where he landed in the capital, Nursultan, for the first leg of his three-day trip. Source: BBC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh&nbsp;</div>