War in Ukraine: the situation around Bakhmout is “more and more complicated”, admits Zelensky

No way”peacefulConsidered by the Kremlin, two dead and three injured in a Russian drone strike, Russia targeted by the UN council… Le Figaro provides an update on the Russian conflict in Ukraine this Monday, February 27.

According to Zelensky, the situation around Bakhmout is “increasingly complicated”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged Monday evening that the situation of his troops around Bakhmout, in the east of the country, was becoming very difficult. “The situation is getting more and more complicated,” he said in his daily post. “The enemy systematically destroys everything that can be used to protect our positions”he added, calling it “real heroes” the Ukrainian soldiers engaged in this battle.

Read alsoWar in Ukraine: understand everything about the Russian strategy of encirclement of Bakhmout

Chinese plan: “for now”, the Kremlin does not see the conditions for a “peaceful” end to the conflict in Ukraine

The Kremlin ruled on Monday that the plan proposed last week by China to settle the conflict in Ukraine “deserved attention“, but that the conditions necessary for a solution”peaceful“were not reunited”for the moment“. “We consider the plan of our Chinese friends with great attention (…) It is a long process. For the moment, we do not see the premises for this case to take a peaceful path.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “The special military operation (in Ukraine) continues“, he added.

Read alsoWar in Ukraine: China calls for “peace”, closing ranks with Russia

Two dead and three injured in western Ukraine after Russian strike

Two people were killed and three injured in Khmelnytsky in western Ukraine, after a Russian attack involving more than a dozen Iranian-made combat drones overnight from Sunday to Monday, authorities said. One of the deceased was a rescue worker killed while on duty, Khmelnytsky Mayor Oleksandr Symchyshyn said on Telegram, noting “damaged buildingsby these strikes. Shortly after, the governor of the Khmelnytsky region, Serguï Gamaliï, announced to him on Telegram the death of a second rescuer who succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Read alsoWar in Ukraine: understand everything about the Russian strategy of encirclement of Bakhmout

Janet Yellen announces in kyiv the transfer of 1.2 billion dollars to Ukraine

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, visiting Kyiv, on Monday announced the transfer of $1.2 billion in budget support to Ukraine to help it “respond to Russian attacks” by relieving its finances. A week after the surprise visit of US President Joe Biden, the Minister met in turn with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and announced “the transfer of an additional amount of more than 1.2 billion dollars”.

“This is the first installment of nearly $10 billion in budget support that the United States will provide in the coming months.”she said during a speech, believing that “the maintenance of an effective government (was) essential to Ukraine’s ability to respond to Russian attacks”. “Our economic support allows the Ukrainian government and essential public services to remain operational in extraordinary circumstances”she added, explaining that this money would allow Ukraine to pay its teachers, its firefighters or even to help the millions of displaced people in the country.

Read alsoJanet Yellen: Global economy ‘in better shape’ than expected

Kremlin denounces ‘absurd’ new EU sanctions against Moscow

The Kremlin called Monday a“absurd” the new sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia a year after the start of its offensive in Ukraine, targeting 121 individuals and entities. “This is all nonsense. We can see that they place anyone under sanctions (…), just to make new lists”Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the press, assuring that these measures would not go “not interfere” the people sanctioned. He judged “obvious” that the EU will continue its policy of sanctions and that “new legal and corporate persons will find themselves in an absurd way” on his lists.

Read alsoAndriy Yermak: “Sanctions on Russia must be toughened”

Russia in the crosshairs of the UN Human Rights Council

Human rights are under attack from all sides, the UN chief lamented, calling for them to be given a “new start“in a world that”backtrack“. At his side for the opening of the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also denounced the return of “old authoritarianism» and «destructive wars of aggression, from a bygone era and with global consequences, as we have seen again in Europe with Russia’s senseless invasion of Ukraine“. “Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Triggered the Most Massive Human Rights Violation We Know Today“Insisted Antonio Guterres. The session started with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Algeria and Russia for a strengthening of their military cooperation

Algeria and Russia discussed strengthening their military cooperation on Monday during a visit to Algiers by Russian Security Council Secretary Nicholai Patrushev, the Algerian Defense Ministry said. The Russian official, accompanied by a large delegation, met with the Chief of Staff of the Algerian army Said Chanegriha to “the state of military cooperation between the armies of the two countries and the means of its strengthening”according to a press release from the ministry.

This visit “represents, for us, the expression of the firm and frank will that drives the two countries to further strengthen the strategic and historical partnership that characterizes their bilateral relations, particularly in the field of military cooperation”, said Said Chanegriha. Nicholai Patrushev, quoted in the press release, affirmed for his part that his country was working to “strengthen more” relations between Algeria and Russia. During this visit, the secretary of the Russian Security Council was also received by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, according to images broadcast by public television. Moscow is a major arms supplier to Algeria, Africa’s largest country by area. Abdelmadjid Tebboune is due to make a state visit to Russia in May.

Read alsoIn Russia, the art of resourcefulness to circumvent international sanctions

Putin decorates American actor Steven Seagal

Vladimir Putin on Monday decorated American actor Steven Seagal, a former Hollywood star who has become an active defender of the Russian president in recent years and, more recently, of his offensive against Ukraine. Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding the actor the “Order of Friendship” for “his great contribution to the development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation”, said a document published on the official legal site of the Russian government. Aikido specialist Steven Seagal, 70, was one of the stars of American action cinema of the 1980s and 1990s.

Read alsoSteven Seagal instructed by Moscow to strengthen ties with the United States

As his career waned, the native of Lansing, Michigan gradually grew closer to authoritarian leaders, including the head of the Kremlin. In 2016, he received a Russian passport from the hands of Vladimir Putin, while retaining his American nationality. Installed since in Russia, he even joined in 2021 a nationalist party. Last August, he traveled to eastern Ukraine to meet with the leader of pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, and offer his support.

Finland takes a step closer to joining NATO

The 200 deputies of the Finnish Parliament, the Eduskunta, are due to begin their final debate on Tuesday on the NATO membership bill, with a vote expected by Wednesday, without waiting for the last imperative yeses from Turkey and Hungary. As in a preliminary vote last May, which resulted in a plebiscite of 188 votes in favor, the outcome of the parliamentary election is in no doubt, with almost unanimous support from the parties, including those who were still unfavorable to the ‘NATO a year ago.

Ukraine’s intelligence chief doesn’t see China delivering arms to Russia

The head of the Ukrainian intelligence services, Kyrylo Budanov, does not see “no sign” making him believe that China will deliver weapons to Russia, he said Monday, February 27 on Voice of America radio. “I do not share this opinion”he said in this interview conducted in Ukrainian two days earlier, referring to accusations by the United States – firmly denied by Beijing – that China is planning to supply arms to Russia to help it in its offensive against Ukraine. “At this time, I don’t think China will agree to transfer weapons to Russia… I see no sign of such things being even discussed.”, he said. Relaunched by Voice of America, he replied: “I am the head of the intelligence services and I base myself, with all due respect, not on the opinions of individual people, but only on facts. I see no such facts.”

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