TOP HEADLINES

• Belarus said instructors from the Russian mercenary force Wagner were training its troops, following weeks of uncertainty about the future of the group after its failed mutiny in Russia. READ MORE BELOW

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed confidence on the prospects of an extension to the deal that allows Ukraine to export its grain and ease a global food crisis. "We are preparing to welcome Putin in August and we agree on the extension of the Black Sea grain corridor," Erdogan told reporters. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed for Russia to extend the grain deal which expires next week, warning that the developing world would suffer if that did not occur. 

• Ukraine acknowledged its troops were not making a speedy headway in their counteroffensive to recapture territory in the east and south of the country from Russian forces. "Today it's advancing not so quickly," the head of the presidency Andriy Yermak told reporters, conceding that battles were difficult.

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainians must understand that Russia was deploying all possible resources to stop Kyiv's forces from advancing in the east and south of the country. "Every thousand meters we advance, every success of every combat brigade deserves our gratitude," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address after chairing a meeting with top commanders. 

• Ukraine will not even consider negotiations with Moscow until Russian troops leave its territory, the head of Ukraine's presidential office said. "Even thinking about these talks is only possible after Russian troops leave our territory," Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, told reporters.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lashed out at criticism over Moscow's offensive in Ukraine at talks with dozens of foreign ministers in Jakarta, the European Union's top diplomat said. "Lavrov responded (to) me very aggressively and explained his point of view, saying everything is a 'West conspiracy' and the war will continue... as Russia is not at all ready to stop the aggression and withdraw troops," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters after ASEAN Regional Forum talks.

• Russia shows no sign of changing direction in its war on Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. He added there was no indication that Russia was willing to engage in meaningful diplomacy on the war. "I didn't hear anything from Foreign Minister (Sergei) Lavrov that suggested any change in direction when it comes to what Russia is doing in Ukraine," Blinken said, adding that Russia was focused on blaming the United States for the world's problems.

• The Kremlin said Russia could grant legal status to private military groups, in what would be a U-turn prompted by the fallout of the Wagner group's short-lived insurrection last month. "This issue will be considered," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, describing a move that would give Russian authorities greater direct control over ostensibly private fighters.

IN DETAIL

Wagner fighters training Belarus army

Belarus said that instructors from the Russian mercenary force Wagner were training its troops, following weeks of uncertainty about the future of the group after its failed mutiny in Russia.

The short-lived rebellion was ended by a deal under which some Wagner fighters and their outspoken leader Yevgeny Prigozhin were supposed to move to Belarus.

But Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had cast doubt on the deal when he said earlier this month that no Wagner fighters had moved to the country yet.

The Belarusian defense ministry appeared to confirm that at least some Wagner fighters had arrived.

"Near Asipovichy, units of territorial defense troops are undergoing training," the defense ministry said in a statement.

"Fighters of the Wagner private military company are acting as instructors in a number of military disciplines," it said.

The ministry later added that together with Wagner, it had worked out "a road map for the near term on training and sharing experience" between various units.

The Wagner group, which recruited extensively from Russian prisons, played a key role in the Ukraine offensive.

A video released by the Belarusian defense ministry showed masked fighters as instructors in the drills for soldiers living in a nearby tent camp.

A group of foreign reporters earlier this month was shown a camp near Asipovichy where Belarusian officials said the mercenaries could be based.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address that Kyiv was "closely monitoring what is happening there in terms of security."

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday