The essential :
- Russia announced Monday evening the establishment of local ceasefires in several Ukrainian cities from 7 a.m. GMT on Tuesday to allow the evacuation of civilians via humanitarian corridors.
In a video posted Monday evening on the website of the Ukrainian presidency, Volodymyr Zelensky spoke in his presidential office in Kiev. “I stay in Kyiv […] I don’t hide. And I’m not afraid of anyone, ”he says during this video speech which starts with a map of Kiev taken from the window of the presidential building to prove its location.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (AEIA) said on Monday it had received reports that artillery shells had damaged a nuclear research facility in Ukraine’s second besieged city, Kharkiv, without “consequences”. radiological”.
- The European Union will present measures to reduce its energy dependence on Russia. In particular, they provide for the joint purchase of natural gas, the establishment of strategic storage with certain levels of capacity to be reached before the next winter season, as well as the diversification of supplies. Russia accounted for around 45% of gas imports into the EU in 2021 and almost 40% of gas consumed in the EU.
07:44 – The city of Sumy was intensively bombarded during the night, 9 dead
Russian planes dropped bombs Monday night on the northeastern city of Sumy, damaging homes in residential areas, Dmytro Zhivitsky, the city’s military administration chief, said on Telegram. “There are dead and injured,” he said. At least nine people were killed, including two children, relief workers revealed on Tuesday morning.
07:39 – Syrian mercenaries in the Russian ranks? UN and China react to rumors
Russia is recruiting Syrian mercenaries with experience in urban guerrilla warfare to fight in Ukraine, the Pentagon said on Monday, while the UN and China, without explicitly targeting Moscow, were moved by an addition of fighters on the Ukrainian soil. Asked about reports of the recruitment of Syrians by Russia, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said during his daily press briefing that he was unable to confirm their presence. “This conflict does not need more people to come outside…”, he insisted however.
During a meeting of the UN Security Council, the Chinese ambassador, whose country has so far supported Russia, asked to avoid “putting oil on the fire”. After referring to the sanctions imposed on Moscow, Zhang Jun added: “sending mercenaries or offensive weapons to Ukraine could make the situation worse”.
07:19 – A call for a boycott of American groups remaining in Russia
From Apple to Levi’s jeans, many American multinationals have decided to suspend their activities in Russia. But a few companies still choose to stay in the country despite the risks to their reputation. On social networks appeared the keywords #BoycottMcDonalds or #BoycottPepsi. The head of the New York State pension fund sent letters to the bosses of these multinationals as well as to the manufacturer of biscuits Mondelez, the cosmetics groups Estée Lauder and Coty, or even the brokerage house Bunge. These companies “must ask themselves if doing business in Russia is worth the risk in this extraordinarily volatile period”, he justifies.
Many American companies still in Russia remain silent, like McDonald’s, Bunge, Mondelez, Estée Lauder, Kimberly-Clark or Coty, which did not respond to a request from AFP. Starbucks claims that its approximately 130 cafes in Russia belong to a Kuwaiti conglomerate, and has pledged to donate any contribution of its business in the country to the humanitarian effort in Ukraine. Yum! Brands also points out that its approximately 1,000 KFC restaurants and 50 Pizza Hut locations are almost all independently owned and operated under license or franchise.
07:12 – Nuclear fire, weapon of despair
By waving the supreme threat, Vladimir Putin gives himself a strategic advantage, but also reveals his political weakness vis-à-vis Ukraine.
Read Luc de Barochez’s editorial – Nuclear fire, weapon of despair
05:40 – Foreign dancers leave the Russian ballets
The Bolshoi is also affected by the boycotts of the international community against Russia. The Brazilian David Motta Soares and the Italian Jacopo Tissi, both dancers in this cultural emblem of Russia, announced their resignation on Monday, in solidarity with the victims of the conflict in Ukraine. In addition to these stars, the Briton Xander Parish, principal dancer at the Mariinsky in Saint Petersburg, also announced his departure from the famous ballet on Sunday evening. The same day, the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow had also already received a blow, with the resignation of its musical director, the Russian conductor Tugan Sokhiev, who said he was under pressure to take a position on Ukraine.
05:20 – Ukraine wants new direct talks between Zelensky and Putin
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that when he meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov scheduled for Thursday in Turkey, he will offer direct talks between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents. “We want talks between the President of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin since he is the one who makes the final decisions,” Dmytro Kuleba told Ukrainian television on Tuesday morning.
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05:05 – 2022 World Cup: Scotland-Ukraine play-off postponed
Ukraine’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Scotland in Qatar, BBC reported. The meeting was to take place at Hampden Park on March 24, but Ukraine asked Fifa to postpone it, added the same source. Thus, the final during which the winner will be opposed to the winner of the match between Wales and Austria, will also be postponed. Discussions are underway to set the new date, probably in June, according to the BBC.
04:50 – Ukraine announces that it killed a Russian general
The Ukrainian military intelligence agency announces that it killed Russian general Vitaly Gerasimov in the fighting around Kharkiv. It has not yet been possible to confirm the death of this senior officer, and Russia has not made any comment. Ukrainian authorities say he had fought with Russian forces in Syria and Chechnya and participated in the capture of Crimea in 2014. Another Russian general was killed earlier in the fighting. A local organization of officers in Russia has confirmed the death in Ukraine of Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky, commanding general of the Russian 7th Airborne Division. Sukhovetsky also took part in the Russian military campaign in Syria.
04:35 – The World Bank has approved immediate assistance of nearly half a billion dollars to Ukraine
The World Bank’s Board of Directors today approved an immediate additional assistance program for Ukraine dubbed “Financing Ukraine’s Economic Emergency Recovery” or “Free Ukraine”, with immediate disbursement. of 489 million dollars (450 million euros).
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“The arrangement approved by the Board consists of an additional loan of 350 million dollars and guarantees for an amount of 139 million dollars”, detailed the World Bank in a press release. “The fast-disbursing aid will help the government provide essential services to Ukrainians, including salaries for hospital workers, pensions for the elderly and social programs for vulnerable people,” the institution said. In addition, grant funding of $134 million and parallel funding of $100 million were approved. Thus, in total, 723 million dollars have been mobilized.