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12:52 p.m. : The European embargo on Russian refined petroleum products exported by sea is due to come into force on Sunday. Already targeted since December by a cap on the price of its oil at 60 dollars per barrel, Russia protests: “This will further unbalance international energy markets,” said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
12:29 : The German manufacturers will be able to deliver the Leopard 1 battle tanks they have in reserve. The government has just authorized them, said its spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit. These tanks are the predecessors of the Leopard 2, armored tanks long awaited by kyiv, of which Berlin will deliver 14 copies from the equipment of the Bundeswehr.
12:23 p.m. : It’s 12:04 p.m., it’s time to take stock of the news at midday:
• Ukrainian and European leaders are meeting today in kyiv, in particular to discuss the question of the procedures for the country’s accession to the European Union. Follow our live.
• Beijing says “check” US accusations that a Chinese spy balloon is flying over US territory.
• The election of related deputy Les Républicains Meyer Habib in 2022 was canceled by the Constitutional Council, due to irregularities.
• Before ending its journey in Paris, the Olympic flame will begin its journey in France in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône).
11:41 a.m. : “It’s really very difficult to deal with zombies.”
The situation is still extremely tense on the eastern front of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Wladimir Klitschko, brother of the mayor of kyiv, spoke last night on BFMTV “a breaking wave” in these regions. The former boxer, member of the territorial defense, sees in the Russian soldiers who lead this offensive real “zombies”.
10:26 : Back in Kyiv for the EU-#Ukraine Summit with @ZelenskyyUa @vonderleyen and @JosepBorrellF There will be no let up in our resolve. We will also support you every step of the way on your journey to the EU. https://t.co/3fnmajrtAZ
10:25 a.m. : From kyiv, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, promises to “sustain” Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. On this subject, Volodymyr Zelensky believes that his country deserves to start “This year” the talks regarding entry into the EU, to which the country has officially been a candidate since June 2022.
09:44 : According to several journalists, anti-aircraft sirens sounded this morning in kyiv, before the start of the summit between Ukraine and the European Union.
09:07 : It’s 9:05 am, it’s time to take stock of the news:
• Elisabeth Borne defended last night on France 2 a project “essestial” pension reform, for which around 20,000 amendments have been tabled.
• A summit between Ukraine and the European Union takes place today in Kyiv. Discussions will focus in particular on steps towards Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
• Several elements suggest that a romantic relationship did exist between Sihem, whose body was found yesterday, and the main suspect.
• United States and Canada track at least one Chinese spy balloon flying at high altitude for several days over their territories and sensitive military sites. beijing says “check” these informations.
10:56 : Here is an update on the main news headlines at 6 o’clock:
• In “L’Evénement” on France 2, last night, Elisabeth Borne announced that she supported some adjustments to the “senior index” which will be carried out by members of the majority. We summarize the elements that must be remembered from his interview.
• Three days before the arrival of the pension reform in the hemicycle of the National Assembly, more than 20,000 amendments have been tabled to the text. About 13,000 of them come from La France insoumise. Here are the main proposals of the five most represented parties in the lower house.
• Candidate for EU membership, Ukraine today hosts a summit with European representatives, “strong symbol” according to the Support Commission of the Twenty-Seven “in the face of unjustified aggression” of Russia.
The main suspect confessed to killing Sihem Belouahmia, whose body was found, during a “dispute related to their romantic relationship“.”There is no romantic relationship known to anyone between Sihem and this individual.”affirmed in press conference the lawyer of the family of the victim.