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07h30 : Again this morning, the Ukrainian crisis occupies the front page of most of the newspapers. ‘Putin torpedoes peace efforts’title Le Figarowhen The echoes believe that the Russian President “challenge the west”.
(THE FIGARO)
(THE ECHOES)
07h24 : American diplomats still in Ukraine are moved to Poland for “security reasons”, announced US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last night. After the first sanctions targeting the Ukrainian separatist territories whose independence Vladimir Putin has recognized, Washington intends to announce other measures against Russia.
07h09 : “For the moment Vladimir Putin is putting pressure on Westerners and this escalation does not fundamentally change the strategy he has been deploying for several months. (…) Putin’s bet is that Western forces will not react not.”
Bertrand Badie, professor at Sciences Po, analyzes Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian separatist territories. For this specialist in international relationsthe Russian president is counting on the fact that the West will only respond to an invasion of Ukraine with political and economic sanctions.
07h00 : At this emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, China called “all parties concerned to exercise restraint and avoid any action likely to fuel tensions”.
07h02 : “The internationally recognized borders of Ukraine will remain unchanged regardless of Russian statements and actions.”
Kiev asks Russia “to cancel its recognition decision” Ukrainian secessionist territories, “to return to the negotiating table” and proceed to “an immediate and verifiable withdrawal of its occupying troops”.
06h51 : The UN and a majority of members of the Security Council condemned yesterday evening, during an emergency meeting, the decision of Russia to recognize the independence of the secessionist territories in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin instructed the Ministry of Defense to ensure “keeping the peace”which opens the way for the arrival of the Russian army.
07h04 : “Ukraine calls Russia’s latest acts a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state.”
The Ukrainian president this morning denounced Moscow’s recognition of the independence of the separatist territories of Donbass. Ukrainians are “on their land”n’ont “fear of anything or anyone” and won’t give in “a single piece of the country”he added.
07h10 : Here is a first point on the news this morning:
• The United States will take new sanctions against Russia, after the recognition by Vladimir Putin of the independence of the separatist territories of Donbass. Ukraine, for its part, denounced a “violation of [sa] sovereignty and [son] territorial integrity”. Follow our live.
• The UN and a majority of members of the Security Council last night condemned in an emergency meeting Russia’s decision to “deploy Russian troops” in Ukraine. Moscow ensures to remain “open to diplomacy”.
• Four French soldiers escorting a general of the UN force were arrested yesterday at Bangui airport, in the Central African Republic, amid tensions between Paris and Moscow over this country at war since 2013.
• The 17-year-old hunter, who killed a hiker in Cassaniouze (Cantal), will be brought to court tomorrow, the Aurillac prosecutor’s office announced in a press release. An autopsy of the victim’s body is also scheduled for tomorrow morning.