Situation on the ground, international reactions, sanctions: the point on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
DIRECT RTL INFO
8:20 a.m. – NATO ready to deploy a large-scale military force to defend the borders
NATO military commanders are drawing up plans to deploy a full-scale standing military force on the alliance’s eastern flank capable of confronting an invading army, NATO’s secretary general said on Sunday. NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, to the British newspaper Sunday Telegraph. According to him, the Alliance is “at the heart of a fundamental transformation” which will reflect “the long-term consequences” of the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
6:51 a.m. – Germany fears importing the Ukrainian conflict to its territory
From Russian stores smeared with paint to insults in the street, attacks on the Russian community in Germany have multiplied since the invasion of Ukraine, making the authorities fear that the conflict will be imported into their territory. To oppose it, demonstrations in the form of a motorcade “against Russophobia” displaying Russian flags are organized in the country, which is home to the largest diaspora in the European Union, creating controversy for their lack of distancing. in the face of Russian military aggression. New parades of this type are planned for this Sunday, notably in Frankfurt and Hanover.
6:32 a.m. – More than 6,000 requests handled by the call center dedicated to the Ukrainian conflict in Belgium
In one month, the call center dedicated to the Ukrainian conflict handled more than 6,000 calls. About the new website info-ukraine.be, it has already been visited 180,000 times, says Secretary of State Sammy Mahdi in De Zondag. The call center and website were set up in early March to provide information on the reception, registration and support of Ukrainian refugees. The call center registers an average of 190 calls per day. Ten people are mobilized to respond to requests.
6:30 a.m. – Ukraine ready for “big battle” in the east, evacuations continue
Ukraine has said it is ready to fight a “big battle” in the east of its territory, a priority target for Moscow, where the evacuation of civilians continues in fear of an imminent offensive. “Ukraine is ready for the big battles. Ukraine must win them, including in the Donbass”, a region in the east of the country, said Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaïlo Podoliak, quoted by the Interfax news agency. -Ukraine. “And when that happens, Ukraine will have a stronger position in the negotiations, which will allow it to dictate certain conditions,” he added.
1:20 a.m. – Belgium releases 800 million to support Ukraine
Belgium has released 800 million euros to support Ukraine and its refugees, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced on Twitter on Saturday evening. “At this very moment, new Belgian trucks are on the roads to bring medical and food aid to Ukraine. We will continue our efforts as long as necessary”, adds Mr. De Croo in a video posted on the social network. , where he deplores the “inhumanity” of the Russian strikes which destroy homes and hospitals, separate families and condemn the war crimes and rapes perpetrated by Russian soldiers.