U.S. Expresses Concern Over UN Official's Meeting with Putin's Advisor

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department expressed deep concern over a meeting between a UN official for children's affairs and a Putin advisor who is wanted by the International Criminal Court. According to Reuters, Matthew Miller stated at a press conference, "We are deeply concerned about why a senior UN diplomat would meet with a fugitive under an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes against children." Last week, Maria Lvova-Belova, Putin's advisor on children's affairs, who is currently accused of the war crime of "transferring hundreds of Ukrainian children to Russia" and is wanted by the war crimes court, announced on her website that she held a working meeting with Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in March for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Lvova-Belova for their roles in the abduction of children from Ukraine. Additionally, Associated Press investigations indicate that the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia was done forcibly and without the consent of their guardians, with attempts to use them for propaganda through the granting of Russian citizenship. U.S. Defense Secretary: Aid will continue as long as Ukraine fights against Russia. Ukraine shot down 36 Iranian-made Shahed drones in nighttime attacks by Russia. Wagner commander: Over 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the battle for Bakhmut. Exclusive to VOA: Training for Ukrainian forces on using Abrams tanks will begin in a few days.