Guterres received by Putin, nuclear fear for the European Union… update on the war in Ukraine

– A monthly meeting to help kyiv –

The United States and its allies will meet monthly to discuss how to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities against Russia, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday after meeting with some 40 countries in Germany.

“Today’s meeting will become a monthly contact group on the defense of Ukraine,” Austin said, adding that he wants to coordinate the action of “nations of goodwill to intensify our efforts, coordinate our assistance, and focus on winning the fight today and the fights to come.”

– Putin not “serious” about negotiations –

Vladimir Putin has not shown “seriousness” in his intentions to negotiate with Ukraine to end the conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday. “We haven’t seen any signs so far that President Putin is serious about meaningful negotiations,” Blinken told the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

– Guterres pleads for a ceasefire –

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres pleaded on Tuesday, during his first trip to Moscow since the start of the Russian offensive, for a ceasefire in Ukraine “as soon as possible”.

He also called on Kyiv and Moscow to work together, with the UN, to open humanitarian corridors. And he said he was “concerned by the repeated reports of possible war crimes” in Ukraine, saying they “require an independent investigation”.

– Civilians: Moscow “ready to cooperate” with the UN –

Russia is “ready to cooperate” with the United Nations to “relieve” the civilian populations in Ukraine, assured the head of Russian diplomacy Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday.

“Our main goal is to protect civilian populations. We are ready to cooperate with our United Nations colleagues to alleviate the suffering of civilian populations,” Lavrov said during a press conference with the Secretary General of the United Nations. UN in Moscow.

– EU fears nuclear disaster –

The European Union warned on Tuesday of a new nuclear disaster in Ukraine, 36 years after the Chernobyl explosion, due to the Russian offensive, and asked Moscow to refrain from any action against the installations of the country.

“Russia’s illegal and unjustified aggression in Ukraine again puts nuclear safety on our continent at risk,” warned European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell and Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson in a joint statement.

The level of radioactivity in Chernobyl is “abnormal”, warns the IAEA

– Moldova strengthens its security –

Moldova on Tuesday announced measures to strengthen its security after a series of explosions in the separatist region of Transdniestria, supported by Moscow, which raised fears of a spillover from the current conflict in Ukraine.

“This is an attempt to increase tensions. We strongly condemn such actions. The Moldovan authorities will take care to prevent the republic from being drawn into a conflict,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu said after a council meeting of national security.

kyiv on Tuesday accused Moscow of seeking to “destabilize” the Transdniestrian region.

Explosions in Transdniestria: after Ukraine, Moldova?

– At least 9 civilians killed in shelling –

At least nine civilians died on Tuesday in bombings by the Russian army in eastern and southern Ukraine, according to reports released by local authorities.

– 5.3 million refugees –

Nearly 5.3 million Ukrainian refugees have fled their country since Russian troops invaded two months ago and the UN expects there will be 3 million more by the end of the day. end of the year.

– Wimbledon: Russians and Belarusians banned –

Wimbledon had “no (other) option” than to ban Russian and Belarusian players from the next edition which will take place in June-July, organizers said on Tuesday at the All England Club, where the London Grand Slam tournament is taking place. .