9:52 a.m .: A yacht of the Russian oligarch Abramovich moored in Turkey, a country which does not apply Western sanctions
A yacht belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, owner of the Chelsea club, has docked in southwestern Turkey, a country that does not apply Western sanctions against Russian oligarchs. Solaris, the 140-meter-long luxury boat flying the flag of Bermuda, was filmed in the tourist town of Bodrum on Monday, more than a week after being spotted in a port in Montenegro, which is not a member of the ‘European Union.
A small group of Ukrainians in a small dinghy waving two flags, one of Ukraine and another reading “NO WAR” tried to obstruct the super yacht’s arrival at the resort.
Several countries have seized yachts belonging to the wealthiest Russians, and US President Joe Biden has assured that allies “will come looking for [les] ill-gotten gains” of these oligarchs.
9:15 am: On chemical weapons, “you have to be ready for anything”, says Manuel Valls
“We must be ready to win the war. In the past, there have already been full-scale exercises and simulations in the event of a chemical attack. You have to be ready for anything, that’s why the defense budget must be reinforced,” said former Prime Minister Manuel Valls on BFMTV on Tuesday morning.
Force of 5,000 soldiers, increased budgets… Europe is beefing up its defense
The war in Ukraine has reminded Europe of its fragility, at the same time as it has revealed the dangers that await the continent. In response, the European Union on Monday approved a “strategic compass” to increase its defense capabilities. Click here to find out more.
8:37 am: The priority of the government is the ceasefire, recalls Gabriel Attal
“President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to negotiate, to discuss with Vladimir Putin, but for that, it takes two. Until now, Vladimir Poutin did not wish to discuss. You don’t negotiate with a gun to your head. There must be a ceasefire, it is our priority today, ”said government spokesman Gabriel Attal on Europe 1 on Tuesday morning.
7:43 am: “The organizers of Roland-Garros lack courage”, judges the player Alexandr Dolgopolov
Former Ukrainian tennis player Alexandr Dolgopolov said in an interview with RTL on Monday that the organizers of Roland-Garros lacked “courage” and that the posture of the tennis community was “loose”, after the authorization of the players Russians to participate in the tournament. He called for “banning Russia” from the world of tennis.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) indicated on Wednesday March 16 that the door to the Roland-Garros tournament (May 22-June 5) would not have closed for Russian players, including Daniil Medvedev (world No. 2), and Belarusians.
“Frankly, it is not enough to say that we are against the war. It’s a war against our nation, which affects our civilians,” said the 33-year-old Ukrainian, who returned to kyiv in mid-March to take up arms and defend his country.
7:03 am: France welcomes first Ukrainian sick children
Twenty Ukrainian children suffering from cancer and leukemia, accompanied by their parents fleeing the war, arrived in France on Monday for treatment as part of European solidarity in the face of the Russian invasion, a first in France. They landed in the evening at Paris Orly airport aboard an Air Caraïbes flight from Katowice, Poland, and were welcomed in particular by the First Lady, Brigitte Macron, and the Minister of Health Olivier Véran. , before being supported by the Red Cross.
6:37 a.m .: One injured in a demonstration repressed by the Russians in Kherson
In Kherson, a city in southern Ukraine, a demonstration by civilians against the occupation of Russian forces was dispersed on Monday by automatic weapons fire, stun grenades and tear gas, which injured at least one person, according to Ukrainian officials.
6:30 am: According to Biden, Putin is considering using chemical and biological weapons
Joe Biden assured Monday that it was “clear” that Russia is considering using chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine, warning that such a decision would lead to a “harsh” Western response.
“He has his back against the wall,” the American president explained of his Russian counterpart, pointing out that Moscow recently accused the United States of possessing chemical and biological weapons in Europe. “It’s just not true. I guarantee it,” he insisted.
Are the sanctions useful?
The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions, which could be validated at the Council meeting on Thursday. But critics are mounting on the real usefulness of these sanctions, Ukrainian President Zelensky calling for an end to all “trade” with Russia. Our full article here.
6:09 am: France transports 55 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine
France on Monday sent 55 tonnes of medical equipment, computers, children’s milk and generators to Ukraine via Poland, the French Foreign Ministry announced.
This emergency aid, worth 2.4 million euros, was sent by A330 cargo plane from Paris to Warsaw, the ministry said in a statement. “In connection with the Polish authorities, these materials will be handed over to the Ukrainian authorities without delay”, it is specified.
5:57 a.m .: Zelensky says he is ready to talk about Donbass and Crimea with Putin and insists on the need for a “meeting”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted once again on Monday on the need for a “meeting” – “in any form whatsoever”, he said – with Vladimir Putin. “I believe that without this meeting it is impossible to fully understand what they (the Russians) are ready for to stop the war,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Suspilne, a Ukrainian regional state media.
Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to discuss everything with his Russian counterpart, if he agreed to negotiate directly with him, including Crimea and Donbass. But this will require “security guarantees” and an end to hostilities. “Once this blockage is lifted, let’s talk,” said Mr. Zelensky of these territories annexed in 2014. The Ukrainian people will however have to decide on any “compromise” reached with Russia via a referendum.
5:52 a.m .: A video from the embassy against “anti-Russian hatred”
The sequence is surprising to say the least. In a video of just under two minutes published on social networks by the Russian Embassy in France as well as by the Russian mission to UNESCO, Moscow calls for an end to “anti-Russian hatred. “Shot in English, the clip, broadcast on Monday, March 21, is subtitled in French. Click here to find out more.
5:47 am: Curfew in kyiv, Mariupol does not want to surrender
Russian troops are still seeking to surround kyiv, where a new curfew has been imposed from late Monday until Wednesday morning. Early Monday, the bombing of a shopping center in the northwest of the capital killed at least eight people, according to Ukrainian authorities. The Russian military claimed that this shopping center was vacant and served as an arms and ammunition depot.
At the same time, Mariupol, a besieged port in the south of the country, refuses to capitulate. “There is no question of talking about surrender (…) We have already informed the Russian side of it,” declared Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, in response to a Russian ultimatum.
What to remember from Monday
5:45 am: Hello everyone, welcome to this live where we will follow the situation around the conflict in Ukraine, this Tuesday, March 22, on the 27th day of the Russian invasion.