The main information at midday
- Ukraine opposes the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi going to the nuclear power plant in Zaporijjia (south) as long as it is occupied by the Russians.
- According to the mayor of the city of Severodonetsk, Oleksandre Stryuk, “the situation is changing every hour” and “intense street fighting” is underway.
- The leader of the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine confirmed on Tuesday the death of General Roman Kutuzov.
- Volodymyr Zelensky sounded the alarm: the quantity of cereals intended for export and blocked in Ukraine because of the war could triple by “by autumn” to reach 75 million tonnes.
- The head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken considered “credible” the information according to which Russia “steals” tons of cereals, “to sell them for its own profit”.
11:50 a.m.: kyiv refuses to allow IAEA chief to visit Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant
Ukraine opposes the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi going to the nuclear power plant in Zaporijjia (south) as long as it is occupied by the Russians. “Ukraine has not invited Grossi to visit the Zaporizhia power plant and has refused him in the past to make such a visit. The visit to the plant will only become possible when Ukraine restores control over the site,” the operator, Energoatom, wrote on Telegram on Tuesday.
11:05 am: The leader of the separatists confirms the death of a Russian general
The leader of the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine confirmed on Tuesday the death of a Russian general in this region where the forces of Moscow are carrying out a major offensive against those of kyiv. In a message posted on Telegram, Denis Pushilin sent his “sincere condolences to the family and friends” of General Roman Kutuzov, “who showed by example how to serve the fatherland”. Several senior Russian army officers have been killed since the start of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine on February 24. Their exact number is not known, the Russian authorities rarely communicating on their losses.
10:50 am: Macron “is right” to discuss with Putin, according to Le Pen
Emmanuel Macron “is right” to discuss with Vladimir Putin, estimated this Tuesday Marine Le Pen, after a new call from the French president to “not humiliate Russia” which generated a wave of criticism, in Ukraine and in Eastern Europe. ‘Is particular.
“The French president is right to try to find through discussion the means to stop this war, and to ensure that Ukraine regains its sovereignty and that Russian soldiers come out of Ukraine,” he said. she declared on Franceinfo which had been accused by Emmanuel Macron of “depending on Russian power”.
10 a.m.: Russia “steals” tons of grain “to sell for its own profit”
US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken has accused Moscow of “blackmailing” the lifting of international sanctions by blocking wheat exports from Ukraine. He also considered “credible” the information according to which Russia “steals” tons of cereals, “to sell them for its own profit”, with its naval blockade of Ukrainian ports, which prevents the export of cereals and raises fears of food crises, particularly in Africa.
9:30 am: The United States orders the seizure of two planes of Roman Abramovich
The US Department of Justice on Monday ordered the seizure of two planes belonging to Roman Abramovich, saying they had been used in violation of sanctions against Moscow. A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and a Gulfstream G650ER jet flew in Russian territory after the establishment of US export regulations on March 2. The two planes, worth more than $400 million, are of American origin and their owner, billionaire Abramovich, flew them to Russia in March without applying for a special re-export license, according to the ministry.
9:15 a.m.: “I think Ukrainians shouldn’t talk to us like that”
Ukraine should refrain from criticizing France when the latter, through the voice of Emmanuel Macron, calls not to humiliate Vladimir Putin and to maintain an open dialogue with the Russian president, said Jean-Luc Mélenchon on Tuesday. .
“I think the Ukrainians shouldn’t talk to us like that, because France is arming, France is present, France is supporting the Ukrainian people (…). So we deserve better than distributed on the fly, ”said the leader of La France insoumise at the microphone of France Inter.
By opting for oil from the Emirates, France “will secure the volume but will pay a high price for it”
“We are looking for substitutes for the supply of gas or diesel from Russia – for example, the United Arab Emirates can be a solution,” said Bruno Le Maire on Saturday. The Minister of the Economy clarified that “discussions were already underway” with the United Arab Emirates.
The European Union on Friday imposed a new package of sanctions on Russia. Among these, the banning of most Russian oil imports, with an embargo within six months. Can the United Arab Emirates be a good alternative? Anna Creti, professor of economics at Paris-Dauphine University, analyzes this hypothesis in this article to be read by clicking on this link.
7:30 a.m.: Washington accuses Moscow of “intimidating” US media correspondents
The United States has accused Russia of “intimidating” American media correspondents in Moscow, summoned by Russian diplomacy who threatened them with reprisals because of American sanctions.
“The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned your colleagues to ‘explain to them the consequences of their government’s hostile line in the media sphere,'” US Foreign Minister Ned Price told reporters in Washington.
“Let’s be clear, the Kremlin is carrying out an all-out attack on freedom of the press, access to information and the truth”, he said, denouncing a “clear and blatant effort to intimidate independent journalists”. .
7:15 am: “The situation changes every hour” in Severodonetsk
According to the mayor of Severodonetsk, Oleksandre Striouk, “the situation is changing every hour” and “intense street fighting” is taking place.
“In the Donetsk region, in addition to artillery fire, the enemy is firing from planes and helicopters,” the Ukrainian army general staff said on Tuesday morning, confirming that Severodonetsk remains “the heart target of the enemy”.
5:50 a.m.: Towards a spike in cereal prices in the fall?
Volodymyr Zelensky sounded the alarm on Monday evening: the quantity of cereals intended for export and blocked in Ukraine because of the war could triple by “here in the fall” to reach 75 million tonnes. Currently, between 20 and 25 million tonnes of cereals are blocked, also specified the Ukrainian president, whose country was the fourth largest exporter of wheat and corn before the Russian invasion.
To try to remedy what could lead to a shortage in a few months, Ukraine needs maritime corridors. “We are discussing it with Turkey and the United Kingdom” as well as with the UN, said the Ukrainian president, adding that exports by sea allow the export of 10 million tonnes per month. Ukraine is also discussing with Poland and the Baltic countries to export small quantities of grain by rail.
Westerners urge Russia to stop sexual violence
The United States and Europe called on Russia on Monday to stop the alleged sexual violence committed by its army and its proxies in Ukraine, during a meeting of the UN Security Council organized by Albania. “It is incumbent on Russia to stop the rapes, violence and atrocities committed by its soldiers. It is incumbent on Russia to put an end to this atrocious unprovoked war against the Ukrainian people,” insisted US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, also denounced “atrocities” committed by Russia. “These crimes will be punished”, “we need evidence” and “we are helping to gather them”, he said.
Beforehand, the Russian diplomat had denied the sexual abuses of which the Russian armed forces are accused, speaking of “lies”.
5:45 am: In Severodonetsk, the Ukrainians “hold on” despite the power of the Russians
After advances, the situation has worsened for Ukrainian forces in Severodonetsk, a key city in the east of the country and the current epicenter of fierce fighting with Russian troops. But the Ukrainian forces defending the city “hold on”, despite “more numerous and more powerful” Russians, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday evening, speaking during a meeting with journalists in kyiv.
The situation on the eastern front is “difficult”. The towns of Severodonetsk and the twin town of Lyssytchansk “are now dead towns”, he however lamented.
Things to remember from Monday
- After advances, the situation “worsened” for Ukrainian forces in Severodonetsk, this key city in the east of the country and current epicenter of fighting with the Russians.
- The Ukrainian army claims to have killed a Russian soldier, Major-General Roman Kutuzov, a commander of the separatist People’s Republic of Donetsk.
- European countries around Serbia have closed their airspace for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s plane, which was expected in Belgrade on Monday. The visit of the Russian minister has been cancelled.
5:45 am: Hello everyone, welcome to this live where we will follow the situation around the conflict in Ukraine, on the 104th day of the Russian invasion.