Have you been a little off the news in the last two days? We summarize the most important information for the weekend of Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May.

Russians and Ukrainians are at odds over the claim to control Bachmout

On Saturday, May 20, after more than ten months of bombing and fierce fighting, Moscow committed itself to taking the town of Bachmout in eastern Ukraine. The announcement follows that of Evgueni Prigojine, the head of Russia’s private militia Wagner Group, who claimed control of the city in a video a few hours earlier.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied the claim on Sunday, saying the city was not occupied by the Russians. Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Maliar assured that the Kiev troops are still in control “certain industrial facilities and infrastructure” in town and had “partially surrounded” Bakhmout thanks to a recent breach on the north and south flanks. She judged on Saturday “critical” the situation of Ukrainian defenders on the ground.

If confirmed, Bachmout’s capture would allow Russia to claim victory after a series of humiliating defeats. It would also intervene before the major counter-offensive that Kiev says it has been preparing for months.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, surprise guest at the G7 summit in Hiroshima

His visit had been decided in haste and kept secret until the last moment. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a surprise guest at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, which took place on Saturday and Sunday.

Mr Zelenskyy asked for renewed diplomatic and military support for Ukraine, from its allies but also from other countries that have so far refused to condemn the Russian invasion, such as India and Brazil. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised him that India would do so “everything possible” resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

After the release of the G7’s final communiqué on Saturday, the head of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov accused the group’s leaders of a lack of trust ” contain “ both Russia and China. Beijing also expressed its “strong resentment” following the press release by the Seven (USA, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada) and the European Union, which addressed a series of criticisms while calling for ties “Constructive and stable” with Beijing. The G7 also called on China to do the same “To pressure Russia to stop its aggression” against Ukraine.

Greece: Kyriakos Mitsotakis right-wing leads elections without absolute majority

Election day in Greece, Sunday, for general elections, the outcome of which could lead to a period of uncertainty. According to partial results, which cover 85% of the polling stations, the conservatives of New Democracy are clearly ahead with 40.8% of the votes, but without achieving an absolute majority. Outgoing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paved the way for a second round of elections, which could be held in late June or early July, to secure an outright majority and ensure a stable government. Thanks to a different electoral system, the winning party would then receive a “bonus” of up to 50 seats.

Leaving his polling station in Athens, Mr Mitsotakis, who is seeking a second four-year term, pledged that he wanted to reach Greece “a stronger country with an important role in Europe”. Their formation is well ahead of the left of former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, which received only 20% of the vote, ahead of the Socialist Party (Pasok-Kinal), which received 11.6%.

Immigration: Republicans introduce two bills and want to change the constitution

Possibility of a referendum on migration policy, reintroduction of the criminal offense of illegal residence and constitutional inclusion of assimilation: Republicans (LR) revealed in The Sunday Newspaper two invoices “Take Back Control” in that case.

After showing internal disagreements over pension reform, Les Républicains aim to regain control of one of their markers, immigration, by introducing two bills next week that should set the pace while the executive branch meets its intentions in government subject changes from one U-turn to the next.

The first proposal, which is constitutional in nature, aims to do this “Allow a referendum on migration policy”. The other proposal, a simple law, specifically addresses this “to confirm that one does not enter France by burglary and entry, re-establishing the offense of illegal residence”Abolished in 2012 under François Hollande.

Rugby: La Rochelle retains Champions Cup title against Leinster

Stade La Rochelais have added a second star to their kit by winning a new Champions Cup, despite a disastrous start to Saturday’s game in Dublin at the expense of Ireland’s Leinster (27-26). The Rochelais bounced back from three Irish tries in the first 12 minutes (17-0) to claim their second consecutive continental title and move to the top of the table.

And also

Various facts. Four dead, including three police officers, in a traffic accident in the north

Tour of Italy. Frenchman Bruno Armirail slips into the pink jersey

UNITED STATES. Joe Biden assesses Republican debt proposals “unacceptable” while the US is on the brink of default

Jerusalem. The right-wing extremist minister Itamar Ben Gvir returns to the forecourt of the mosques