Zelensky

"It seems crazy to me that he insists on this. This move is in favor of Putin. He wants to claim that he is fighting against NATO, and not against a criminal invasion of a neighboring country," he said. "So, I think this is not good for Ukraine," adds McCaffrey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed support early on July 8 for Ukraine joining NATO, saying the war-torn country deserves to join the alliance.

Day 499 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

In front of the Ukrainian president, his Bulgarian colleague Rumen Radev described the war in Ukraine, repeatedly calling it a "conflict" (and in most cases avoiding the word "war"). Later, Zelensky - who noticed what words his colleague chooses - added: "This is definitely a war."

The Ukrainian president announced on Twitter that he has information that Russian forces have placed devices similar to explosives on the roofs of the facilities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Day 491 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Day 490 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Day 488 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Day 486 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Day 485 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours: