14:50
“NATO is stronger than ever,” says Joe Biden
“The United States and its allies have made extremely strong commitments, NATO is stronger than ever,” said the President of the United States during his meeting with the President of Poland.
14:47
“We want more America in Europe, more connections between the United States and the European Union,” said President Andrzej Duda
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda turned to Joe Biden and asked him for a stronger presence in Europe.
“The United States takes seriously its responsibility to keep the world safe. They did it in previous wars and brought people back to normal life,” he added.
14:40
Increase in traffic at Dubai Airport thanks to Russians
Passenger traffic at Dubai Airport more than doubled year-on-year in 2022, surpassing 66 million travellers, particularly with “tremendous growth” in the Russian market, CEO Paul Griffiths stressed.
While India, Saudi Arabia and the UK remain the top providers of passengers, Russia also made “a significant contribution” with around 1.9 million Russian travelers, double the number seen in 2021. The conflict has unleashed an avalanche of Western sanctions against Russians, many of whom have settled in Dubai.
14:35
A memorial plaque to Joe Biden in Kiev
After his visit to Kiev, a plaque with Joe Biden’s name was placed on the Alley of Courage in Kiev.
14:17
Meeting between Joe Biden and Polish President Andrzej Duda
14:15
In four years, the Wagner founder made a profit of 250 million dollars
According to FT, Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin contributed $250 million in assets to his organization. These funds come from the exploration of oil, gas, diamonds and gold in countries like Sudan and Syria.
1:48 p.m
Six dead in Kherson
Russian attacks on the city of Kherson targeted a bus station and residential buildings, killing at least six people and injuring 12. “Just during the speech of the bloodthirsty dictator Putin, the enemy hit residential buildings and essential infrastructure,” spokesman for the southern regional command of the Ukrainian army Vladislav Nazarov scolded on Telegram.
For his part, President Zelenskyy condemned these attacks, assuring that the Russian army “kills without mercy” civilians in this city in southern Ukraine, which was recaptured by the Ukrainian army in November.
1:30 p.m
Sciences Po organizes a symposium
The Paris Institute of Political Science, which hosts 32 Ukrainian students, is organizing a conference afternoon on Friday. Political leaders, public actors, experts will take turns speaking.
13:21
Kyiv reacts to Putin’s speech
And the dialogue seems far away. Andriï Iermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, believes on Telegram that “the Russians are strategically stuck in a dead end. Our task is to expel them from Ukraine and punish them for everything.”
13:12
Moscow demands the withdrawal of NATO troops from Ukraine
Russian diplomacy asked the American ambassador to Moscow to hand over a memo demanding the withdrawal of NATO “soldiers and equipment” from Ukraine, a reference to the military aid Kiev is receiving from the West. “In order to achieve a de-escalation of the situation, Washington must take steps to withdraw American and NATO troops and equipment and halt its anti-Russian activities,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
13:02
NATO chief “regrets” Moscow’s decision to suspend participation in New Start
“More nuclear weapons and less arms control make the world more dangerous,” said Jens Stoltenberg, calling on Russia to reconsider. “This is one of the last major arms control agreements we have,” he said. Speaking at his side, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the Kremlin’s decision to abandon the New Start treaty was “further proof that what Russia is doing is destroying the security system that exists at the end of the Cold War.” built up during the war”.
12:58 p.m
Moscow urges US to withdraw NATO “troops and equipment” from Ukraine
Russian diplomacy summoned the US ambassador to Moscow on Tuesday to hand him a memo demanding that the United States withdraw NATO “troops and equipment” from Ukraine, a reference to the military aid provided to Kiev received from the west.
“It was specifically noted that in order to de-escalate the situation, Washington must take steps to withdraw American and NATO troops and equipment and halt its anti-Russian activities,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.
12:56
Ukraine vows to ‘hunt down and punish’ Russia after Putin’s speech
12:55 p.m
According to the French ambassador in Kiev, France’s military aid to Ukraine is not limited to the supply of equipment
According to French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins, France has a comprehensive approach to military assistance to Ukraine, and this approach consists in providing not only weapons, but also ammunition and ensuring technical maintenance. The diplomat noted that there is an ongoing dialogue between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, particularly over the nature of the aid provided by France.
12:49 p.m
Joe Biden meets the President of Poland at 1:30 p.m. (French time)
The President of the United States will meet Andrzej Duda, who has invested heavily in taking in refugees or helping the country at war since the invasion of Ukraine.
12:32
Planned exercises of the Ukrainian army around Kiev
The army warned residents of the capital that starting today and for several days, defensive exercises are planned around Kiev.
12:24
Shooting at a public transport stop in Kherson
Gunshots hit a bus stop in Kherson, according to local media. According to the first information, there should be several dead and injured. These shots also hit buildings in the center of the city.
12:09 p.m
Giorgia Meloni has just arrived in Kiev
The Italian Prime Minister has just arrived in Kiev. You have to announce new help. Their services have already announced the delivery to Ukraine of electrical equipment (transformers, generators, cables and accessories) worth “several million euros”.
11:59
Russia suspends participation in New Start nuclear disarmament deal
Vladimir Putin accused the US and NATO of not working together. “In this context, I have to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty,” he said, adding that Russia would conduct further nuclear tests if the United States did so.
11:50
Ukraine denounces the theft of Ukrainian grain while Putin touts record harvests
Anton Gerashchenko, the adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, on Telegram criticized part of Vladimir Putin’s speech in which he boasted about Russia’s record grain harvest. “The cheeky thief said Russian farmers had a ‘record harvest’ last year. And he shyly kept silent about the fact that it was stolen Ukrainian grain that was transported to the Russian Federation on freight trains,” Gerashchenko said.
11:29
Boxer Estelle Mossely advised against training in Russia by sports minister
The boxer had received permission from the French federation to go to Moscow to prepare for the World Championships. Amélie Oudéa-Castera, the sports minister, contacted her to dissuade her. “Obviously I’m very concerned that Estelle Mossely intends to train in Russia,” Amélie Oudéa-Castéra told the team. I insisted on dissuading him. This trip would pose a real risk which I intend to convince you to avoid for your own safety. I explained to him that for the time being no executive of a French association has been authorized by the ministry to travel to Russia. I communicated this imperative to the President of the French Boxing Federation, who understood it perfectly. Beyond the case of Estelle, of course, in the current circumstances, I can only prevent any French sportsman from going to Russia in accordance with the recommendations of the Quai d’Orsay. Read our article.
11:21
In Donbass in particular, it is important to strengthen culture
According to Putin, cultural actions are mentioned in particular in the occupied Donbass region. “The development of culture will be one of the priorities, especially in the regions of Donbass,” he explains, adding: “It is necessary to rebuild hundreds of infrastructures and museums in order to link the past with the present and the future connect to. It is important to feel that this culture is part of the great Russian culture. “.
11:18
Washington denounces the “absurdity” of Putin’s anti-Western speech
“No one is attacking Russia. There is a kind of absurdity in the notion that Russia has faced any form of military threat from Ukraine or anyone else,” said White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
11:10
Vladimir Putin calls for the prosecution of “traitors” in Russia
“Those who decided to betray Russia must be held accountable before the law,” said the Russian president, before assuring that it was not a “witch hunt”. Putin also issued a small call for order to the oligarchs, urging them to bring their capital back to Russia to invest in the country. “Invest in Russian projects,” he added. “None of the ordinary Russians felt sorry for those who lost their yachts and palaces abroad,” he said.
10:59
Putin is now presenting the new investments and projects to be launched in Russia.
10:46
According to Putin, Russia is able to resist despite sanctions
According to Putin, Russia’s GDP contraction was only 2.5%, despite Western countries predicting the collapse of Russia’s economy. Agriculture and construction are even growing strongly, he points out. Inflation in the country is only 4%. In addition, the labor market picked up with an unemployment rate of 3.7%. “Our economy has new perspectives on the internal market to fill the niches after the withdrawal of the Western countries,” he says.
10:43
“We must strengthen all components of our army”
Putin announces new technologies for the army. According to him, these new weapons have better potential than western weapons. “Now we have to do mass production. Putin appeals to small and medium-sized businesses and promises help, especially in the real estate sector. “The initiators of the sanctions are punishing themselves,” he said. “They have caused rising prices at home, factory closures, the collapse of the energy sector and are telling their citizens that the Russians are to blame,” added the Russian president.
10:33
Putin commemorates the killed soldiers and civilians with a minute’s silence
“Our duty is to support the relatives of the fallen,” continues Vladimir Putin, announcing a state fund for medical and material assistance to families. “Every family, every veteran must have a right of contact to help them.” “All participants in the special operation must have access to the leave”. Members are entitled to 14 days per half year.
10:30 a.m
Popular support for this operation
“Our people support our action,” says Putin, thanking all the people involved in this “operation” (soldiers, doctors, engineers, etc.). In the name of the country’s security, any form of protest is banned in Russia. Many journalists and bloggers are banned from speaking their minds, and the word “invasion” cannot be spoken or written.
10:26
“It is impossible to beat Russia on the battlefield”
“We are not fighting against the Ukrainian people.” According to Putin, it is the West that is using Ukraine to attack Russia. “It is obvious that the West will try to destabilize Russia.”
10:15
Putin accuses the West of wanting to sow chaos
“We defend our interests, but also the position that there should be no division between Russia and the West,” Vladimir Putin added. According to him, Russia is accused of all evils, although in reality the source of this conflict is the West. “The Minsk agreements were a huge bluff by the West,” he adds, considering the West’s display of Russophobia.
10:09 a.m
“We will achieve our goals,” says Putin
“A year ago it was decided to launch an operation to secure our country. We will gradually achieve our goals,” says Vladimir Putin immediately.
10:06
Turkish gold imports at the highest level
According to Swiss customs, more than 58 tons of gold were shipped to Turkey in January. This is the highest monthly number in data going back to January 2012. However, the Turkish government is now taking steps to limit some gold imports after devastating earthquakes that killed more than 41,000 people.
10:06
Putin begins his speech
Vladimir Putin begins his address to the nation at the Gostiny Dvor Palace of Congresses in Moscow. The speech comes ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
09:56
Wagner’s boss attacks the Russian army again
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, said on his Telegram account that the country’s defense minister and chief of staff was starving his fighters of ammunition and accused them of destroying Wagner.
09:32
Towards a new mobilization of students in Russia?
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Russian officials are preparing for a new wave of military operations and are actively looking for opportunities to massively mobilize students or higher education institutions across the country. According to the agency, Russian authorities are already setting up bodies to conduct these recruitments.
09:26
The Dutch secret service warns of possible sabotage in the North Sea
According to information from the Netherlands, there could be sabotage of the energy infrastructure in the North Sea.
08:50
The European Council extends sanctions against Russia until 2024
The European Council has decided to extend sanctions against Russia until 2024 after its invasion of Ukraine. The information was published on Eur-Lex, the official website on European Union law.
08:22
54 countries in the anti-Moscow coalition
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, the anti-Moscow coalition includes 54 countries. According to the minister, the partners are determined for Ukraine’s victory and want to be co-creators of the victory. To win, however, Ukraine needs Western weapons. “If anyone thinks that there is a syndrome of exhaustion with Ukraine and the war, it is not. Our partners are very, very, I stress, very determined. Determined for our victory,” he said, adding: “It’s a very different mood than a year ago when we were given three days for the capital to fall (…) Today everyone believes in Ukraine’s victory (… ) and sees very clearly that it is very realistic to contain and defeat this so-called second army of the Russian world”.
08:12
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is on her way to Kiev
The Italian guide took the overnight train from Poland to Kiev, where she is expected in the morning. On Monday evening, Giorgia Meloni spoke to US President Joe Biden, who had just returned to Poland from a surprise visit to Kiev. “The two leaders discussed their ongoing close coordination in supporting Ukraine, including assistance on security, economic and humanitarian issues,” Palace Chigi said in a statement.
Giorgia Meloni’s services announced on Monday evening the delivery of “several million euros” worth of electrical equipment (transformers, generators, cables and accessories) to Ukraine, which will provide electricity to the equivalent of three million people. At the military level, Italy, in cooperation with France, must deliver the MAMBA medium-range surface-to-air defense system to Kiev in the spring.
08:04
Almost 19,000 civilian casualties registered in Ukraine
According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), there have been at least 18,955 civilian casualties since the Russian invasion began. Accordingly, 7,199 people were killed and 11,756 injured. Also according to OHCHR, 697 of the civilian casualties were affected in January, mostly 1,200 km from the front line.
07:58
The 90-metre superyacht Dar, linked to Russian billionaire Ziyad al Manasir, has docked in Singapore
The 90-metre superyacht Dar, believed to be owned or affiliated with Russian billionaire Ziyad al Manasir, has just docked at Singapore’s Keppel Bay Marina. The luxury ship, which can carry 12 guests with a crew of 31 and has operating costs of around 18 million US dollars, left Italy a few weeks ago. It’s unclear if Manasir, the Jordanian-born founder of Stroygazconsulting, a Russia-based construction company, is on board. Last year, the 57-year-old billionaire was on a US Congress list of 198 people to consider for potential sanctions, but he was not targeted or accused of any wrongdoing.
07:49
The German anti-aircraft system Gepard was delivered in July
German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall announces that the Gepard anti-aircraft system will arrive in Ukraine by July, according to the company’s CEO, adding that his company has “doubled its capabilities, even tripled them in some sectors”. The chief also confirmed that twenty Marder combat vehicles would be ready for delivery to Ukraine by the end of March.
07:40
A new aid from Japan of 5.5 billion dollars
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan will provide new $5.5 billion in aid to Ukraine and will host President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at an online G-7 summit to announce the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor to mark a year. This online summit will take place on February 24th.
07:37
The NGO HRW accuses the Russian army of “war crimes” after the bombing of the Kramatorsk railway station
The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Russian army of a “war crime” in the April 2022 rocket attack on the Kramatorsk station in eastern Ukraine that killed around 60 civilians trying to flee the area. “The evidence clearly indicates that the missile that killed and injured civilians at the Kramatorsk railway station was fired from a Russian-controlled area in eastern Ukraine. This attack constitutes a violation of the laws of war and a flagrant war crime,” HRW wrote. The NGO adds that it identified the then-Russian-controlled village of Kounié in the Kharkiv region as a “possible site for the attack.” On April 8, 2022, just before 10:30 a.m., as thousands of civilians rushed out of the region threatened by a major offensive by Russian troops, a Tochka-U missile loaded with cluster bombs hit the Kramatorsk train station, the main evacuation center in the region. Moscow has denied being behind the attack and has accused Kiev of firing on the station to disrupt evacuations.
07:32
35,000 residents without electricity in the Kharkiv region
In the recently liberated Kharkiv region, 35,000 customers are still without electricity, according to a recent report by the regional authorities.
07:28
In Ukraine, a people suddenly stood up: “Without these children who write to us, we wouldn’t make it”
After a year of war, Ukraine is still resisting Russia, driven by a unique national dynamic. Children or old people, on the stages of the theater in Kiev or in a post office in Donbass, a whole people lives to support their soldiers. Our history.
07:28
Belarus wants to train more than 100,000 volunteer soldiers
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has announced that he has ordered the formation of a new national defense force made up of volunteers so that everyone knows how to use weapons and is ready to respond to a possible act of aggression and to maintain public order and peace.
While last year he authorized Moscow, a Minsk ally, to use Belarus as a base for sending Russian soldiers to Ukraine, Alexander Lukashenko regularly assured that his army would only fight if the country was attacked. Defense Minister Viktor Khrenine said the Territorial Defense Force would be made up of 100,000 to 150,000 volunteers, with the aim of having paramilitary troops in every village or town.
07:25
New EU sanctions package passed by the end of the week
The European Union continues to discuss a 10th round of sanctions against Russia. This 10th package of sanctions will be approved by written procedure before February 24th. “The remaining obstacles will be overcome,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said after the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. Borrell expressed his belief that European sanctions are working and are having a serious impact on the Russian economy. In particular, this concerns the indicators of the state deficit, trade deficit and the decline in revenues from the sale of hydrocarbons, which have always been the basis of the Russian economy.
07:20
A year of war in Ukraine, our 12 witnesses say: “The worst thing is that we get used to everything”
Civilians or soldiers, refugees in France or determined not to leave their native Ukraine… All saw their lives changed when Russia invaded their country a year ago, on February 24, 2022. We had met them in this reporting year. We found her.