The essentials
- Talks are due to resume on Thursday, the Russian delegation said, after a first round held on Monday.
- On the ground, the noose is tightening on Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, and the Russians claim to control the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine. They are also trying to make their junction with the separatists of Donbass.
- The UN General Assembly has condemned the Russian offensive by a large vote and “demanded” that it stop.
- “We are not at war with Russia,” Macron said in a televised address at 8 p.m. He assures, however, that Putin is the “only” responsible for the conflict.
- The Head of State also announced an increase in appropriations for the French army and the holding of a summit on 10-11 March devoted to European defence.
- U.S. President Joe Biden called Vladimir Putin a “dictator,” saying he was “more isolated than ever.”
- One million Ukrainians are believed to be displaced within the country, and 836,000 refugees from Ukraine have been registered by the UN.
11:55 pm: It’s the end of this live, thank you for following it. See you tomorrow morning for new information on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
11:17 p.m.: World Bank suspends all aid programs in Belarus and Russia
The World Bank announced the immediate suspension of all its aid programs in Russia and Belarus. “Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and hostilities against the Ukrainian people, the World Bank Group has stopped all its programs in Russia and Belarus with immediate effect,” the Washington institution said.
11:02 p.m.: The human toll is already “mind-boggling”, denounces Blinken
“The human cost of the Kremlin’s unjustified and gratuitous war is staggering. Hundreds if not thousands of civilians have been killed and injured,” said Anthony Blinken, the head of US diplomacy. “The number of civilians killed and injured, the humanitarian consequences, will only worsen in the coming days.”
The infrastructure destroyed by the Russian strikes “is not a military target,” the secretary of state said. “These are places where civilians work and where families live.” However, he refrained from accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians, merely saying that Washington was studying the situation closely.
According to a Pentagon official, there has been “no noticeable movement” of Russian forces towards Kiev or Kharkiv compared to the last two or three days. Moreover, the southern city of Kherson, whose “total control” Russian forces have claimed, would in fact remain a “hotly contested” city. In addition, Russian soldiers have still not taken full control of Ukrainian airspace, and continue to have logistical problems, including fuel and food shortages. “They are behind on their plans [but] they still have enormous fighting force at their disposal and they will overcome their difficulties.”
The United States continues to provide military assistance to Ukraine, with the last delivery less than 24 hours ago, he noted.
82%
According to the Pentagon, some 82% of the Russian military deployed for weeks on the country’s borders is now engaged in Ukraine.
10:32 p.m.: Four Russian fighter jets briefly violated Swedish airspace
“Two Sukhoi Su-27s and two Sukhoi Su-24s [Russian] violated Swedish airspace” on Wednesday, the Swedish military said. The incident took place in the east of the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, the General Staff announced. The invasion of Ukraine has revived the debate in Sweden on NATO membership.
10:23 p.m.: Spain sends grenade launchers, cartridges, machine guns
Pressed by the right-wing opposition, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Wednesday that Spain would send “offensive military equipment” to Ukraine. Defense Minister Margarita Robles told Antena 3 that it was 1,370 grenade launchers, 700,000 rounds of ammunition and light machine guns.
10:07 p.m.: Oil prices pass the $110 per barrel mark
Oil prices closed Wednesday at the highest since 2014 for Brent (+7.58% to $112.93) and at a high in almost eleven years for Texas oil WTI (+6.95% to $110.60).
9:35 p.m.: Blinken denounces Putin’s “dangerous rhetoric” on nuclear weapons
US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken on Wednesday denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “provocative and dangerous rhetoric” about nuclear weapons. It is, according to him, “a pinnacle of irresponsibility”. President Putin stunned the world on Monday by announcing that he was putting Russia’s nuclear deterrent on alert.
8:49 p.m.: Washington ready to “support diplomatic efforts” for a ceasefire
The United States is ready to “support diplomatic efforts” by Ukraine to secure a ceasefire with Russia, as new talks are scheduled for Thursday. “We keep the door open for a diplomatic outcome, [but] it’s much harder to get there when the fire is ringing and the tanks are advancing,” said U.S. Foreign Minister Antony Blinken.
8:16 pm: End of Emmanuel Macron’s speech
The President of the Republic concludes his televised address with an evocation of the presidential campaign – without declaring himself a candidate, of course. “This war is also impacting our democratic life, and the campaign that officially opens at the end of this week. This campaign will allow for an important democratic debate for the nation. »
20:15: A European summit on 10 and 11 March devoted to defence
“Europe must now accept to pay the price of peace, freedom and democracy,” macron said. […] In this respect, our European defence must take a new step. On 10 and 11 March in Versailles, I will bring together the European Heads of State and Government at a summit. »
The president added that France will set an example and “amplify investment in its defense.”
8:13 p.m.: “The price of a full tank of gasoline is likely to rise”
The Head of State comes to the economic consequences that the crisis will not fail to have on the French. “Our agriculture, our industry, and many sectors will suffer,” macron said. He announced “a resilience plan” to deal with it.
He adds: “Our growth today at the highest, will inevitably be affected (…) Tomorrow, the price of a full tank of gasoline, the amount of the heating bill, the cost of certain products are likely to increase further. »
20:12: “These events are the signal of a change of era”
“Make no mistake, these events will not only have immediate consequences for the plot of a few weeks. They are the signal of a change of era. The war in Europe no longer belongs to our history books or our school books. It is there, before our eyes. »
20:10: “France will take its part” in welcoming refugees
Emmanuel Macron looks back on the exodus of Ukrainians: “Several hundred thousand refugees from Ukraine are and will be welcomed on our continent. France will do its part.”
20:09: “We are not at war with Russia”, recalls Macron
“We are not at war with Russia. We know what binds us to this great European people, the Russian people. […] I have chosen to stay in touch, and will stay in touch as much as I can and as much as necessary, with President Putin. »
20:06: “The UN General Assembly condemned this aggression”
“This very afternoon, the UN General Assembly condemned this aggression in an overwhelming vote. The international community has thus shown its unity. »
8:04 pm: “The coming days will be harder and harder”
“The coming days will probably be harder and harder,” fears Emmanuel Macron.
20:02: “President Putin wanted war alone”
Emmanuel Macron looks back on his efforts, and those of the West, to avoid conflict: “It is alone that President Putin wanted war. […] This war is a lie, an insult to the history of Russia and Ukraine, to the memory of our elders, who fought side by side against Nazism.”
8pm: The Head of State begins his speech
“We stand with Ukraine. I salute the courage of the Ukrainian people […] and President Zelensky,” Macron begins.
7:55 p.m.: Emmanuel Macron’s televised address is imminent
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks in a speech at 8 p.m. on the war in Ukraine. At the launch of the Russian invasion, the head of state “had made the commitment to keep the French informed of the evolution of the situation,” explained the presidency, without further comment.
7:41 pm: Abramovitch confirms that Chelsea is for sale
Russian businessman Roman Abramovich has announced that English club Chelsea, which he has owned since 2003, is for sale. The 55-year-old billionaire justified his decision by “the current situation”. A much-criticized oligarch, Abramovitch had withdrawn from the management of the club at the beginning of the crisis. Read our full live on the impact of the crisis on the sports world.
7:27 p.m.: The Russians leave the Kourou space base
CNES, the French Space Agency, announced Wednesday a “fast, safe and supervised” departure of the Russians present at the Kourou space base in French Guiana, following the suspension of launches decided by Moscow. The Russian space agency Roscosmos had announced Saturday to suspend its space launches from Kourou and recall its technical staff – 87 people in total – in reaction to the sanctions of the European Union against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
7:20 pm: The CNRS suspends its cooperation with Russia
The CNRS, France’s largest research organization, has decided to suspend “all new forms of scientific collaboration with Russia” in response to the invasion of Ukraine. All upcoming scientific events involving Russia are cancelled. On the other hand, Russian researchers who work in French laboratories can continue their activities, says the organization, which employs 32,000 people and has many laboratories abroad.
7:14 p.m.: G7 wants to prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions through cryptocurrencies
G7 countries are looking for ways to prevent individuals or companies targeted by Western sanctions against Russia from using cryptocurrencies to circumvent the devices put in place. “We should also take steps to prevent listed individuals and institutions from turning to unregulated cryptocurrencies. We have also worked in this direction within the framework of the German Presidency of the G7,” said German Finance Minister Christian Lindner.
What French companies most exposed to the conflict risk
Beyond the human drama of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, the international response is essentially through the economy. An answer that will not totally spare French companies present in Russia. In Ukraine, many French companies are also suffering from the conflict. Our full article to read here.
18:42: 498 russian soldiers killed, according to a first russian assessment
Russia has unveiled its first death toll of Russian servicemen killed in the offensive in Ukraine: “Unfortunately […] we have had losses. 498 Russian soldiers died, […] 1597 of our comrades were wounded” in the Russian invasion that has been underway since February 24, Russian army spokesman Igor Konashenkov said at a briefing broadcast on Russian state television.
Is Ukraine’s accession to the European Union really possible?
With his back to the wall, Volodymyr Zelensky asked the European Union for candidate country status for Ukraine. But the Ukrainian president wishes above all to join “without delay” the community of the Twenty-Seven. This is usually a very long process. We explain everything here.
5:57 a.m.: UN General Assembly overwhelmingly condemns Russian offensive
The UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution that “demands that Russia immediately cease the use of force against Ukraine.” The vote was overwhelmingly approved by 141 countries, with 5 opposing it, and 35 abstaining, including China, out of the Organization’s 193 members. The resolution, punctuated by more than two days of interventions at the UN rostrum, calls on Moscow to “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces” from Ukraine and “condemns Russia’s decision to increase the alerting of its nuclear forces.”
The European Union is holding an extraordinary meeting of its foreign ministers in Brussels on Friday with their American, Ukrainian, British and Canadian counterparts. In addition, a meeting of NATO’s 30 foreign ministers was convened on Friday morning at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
Georgia will “immediately” apply for membership of the European Union, said the ruling party in the former Soviet Caucasus country that has delicate relations with Moscow. The president of the Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, asked Brussels to “urgently” examine this request and to confer on Georgia the status of candidate for entry into the Union.
5:55 p.m.: Ukrainian delegation expected in Belarus for talks on Thursday
A Ukrainian delegation is expected for Russian-Ukrainian talks in Belarus, near the Polish border, on Thursday morning. This was announced by the Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky. He said a ceasefire would be on the menu of these new talks between Moscow and Kiev, in the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
5:46 p.m.: Ukraine denounces “genocide” at UN General Assembly podium
Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, on Wednesday denounced an ongoing “genocide” in his country, perpetrated by Russia. He was speaking during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, at the end of an exceptional debate lasting more than two days. “It is easy to sign the UN Charter in peacetime. Come and sign it in time of war,” he said, brandishing the small blue booklet, for the 193 member countries of the Organization attending his speech, punctuated by loud applause.
Nuclear threat: what is Russia’s arsenal, how can it be used?
Vladimir Putin has put Russia’s nuclear deterrent on alert. What does it correspond to? Who can order it to be triggered? Only one thing is really certain: Russia is the world’s leading nuclear power. Our article to better understand here.
5:14 p.m.: Nigeria begins repatriation of its nationals
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, plans to begin evacuating more than a thousand of its nationals who fled Ukraine and found refuge in neighboring countries. Many African countries are stepping up efforts to help their nationals who have flocked to Poland and Romania, particularly, amid growing accusations of racism at Ukraine’s borders.
5:10 p.m.: Washington charges more than ten prosecutors to prosecute Russian oligarchs
The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday tasked a dozen prosecutors with prosecuting “corrupt Russian oligarchs” and all those who violated sanctions adopted by Washington against Moscow after the invasion of Ukraine. “We will spare no effort to investigate, arrest and prosecute all those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war,” Minister Merrick Garland said in a statement that outlined a dedicated unit announced the day before by President Joe Biden.
4:58 p.m.: “Nothing is excluded,” Biden says of a halt to Purchases of Russian Oil
US President Joe Biden assured Wednesday that “nothing is excluded”, to a journalist who asked him if the United States intends to ban imports of Russian oil. The US has already taken a volley of economic measures against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine, ranging from banning US airspace to heavy sanctions against the Russian central bank.
4:45 p.m.: Russian restaurants receive death threats in France
Two Russian restaurateurs in Lyon have received death threats, reports Le Progrès. An anonymous letter to one of them reads: “Vladimir [Putin] needs your culinary skills to support the morale of his troops … All you have to do is leave France as soon as possible.” They also report anonymous phone calls. An owner, who recalls having fled the Putin regime, carried plain. Our colleagues from La Voix du Nord reported a similar story in Lille.
4:36 pm: Vodka and other Russian products banned from German supermarkets
From vodka to toothpaste, several supermarket chains in Germany have decided to ban products imported from Russia, as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine. Discounter Aldi Nord, like Aldi Sud, removed the only item from Russia: vodka in 0.70-liter bottles. The central purchasing body of the supermarket chain Rewe and its low-cost subsidiary Penny will no longer order food produced in Russia. Existing stocks will still be put up for sale or made available to food banks. The low-cost brand Netto, belonging to the Danish group Salling, has stopped selling Russian products in Germany and other European countries, its parent company said on Monday.
16:20: 22 senior officers from Belarus sanctioned by the EU
The European Union on Wednesday added 22 senior officers of the Belarusian armed forces to its blacklist of people sanctioned for their support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. ‘In view of the gravity of the situation and the fact that Belarus is participating in an unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine by authorising military aggression from its territory, the Council considers that twenty-two persons should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures’, indicates the published communiqué with the list of names, grades and functions in the Official Journal of the EU.
4:09 p.m.: The television broadcast of the Russian media RT France has stopped
The French version of the Russian media RT is no longer broadcast on television in France since Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m., as a result of the ban on RT in the European Union that came into force earlier in the day. “The television broadcast of RT France cut off, after the ban announced by the EU,” RT France said on its Twitter account.
836 000
The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine to neighboring countries jumped further to almost 836,000 people on March 1, according to a census by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees released Wednesday. That’s a jump of almost 160,000 people from tuesday’s figure of 677,000.
4:08 p.m.: At least four dead in bombing in Kharkiv
At least four people were killed and nine others wounded in Russian shelling that targeted the headquarters of the security services and a university in Kharkiv, Ukraine, said Ukrainian rescue. “For the moment ten people have been able to be pulled out of the rubble, the preliminary toll is 4 dead and nine wounded.” About twenty people had been killed the day before in bombings, including that of the headquarters of the local administration.
4:05 p.m.: Boris Johnson accuses Russia of “war crime” in Ukraine
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday accused Russia of committing a “war crime” in Ukraine because of weapons used against civilians. “What we have already seen from Vladimir Putin’s regime regarding the use of munitions dropped on innocent civilians, this already constitutes in my opinion a war crime,” he told British MPs.
4pm: Hello everyone, welcome to this live stream where we will follow the situation around the conflict in Ukraine, this Tuesday afternoon.
Find here the summary of the events of the morning.
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