The discussions begin, but the weapons are not silent. Russian and Ukrainian delegations began talks in Belarus on Monday, February 28, to try to end the conflict in Ukraine, while fighting continues in particular in Kharkiv, the country’s second city. After a long telephone conversation, French President Emmanuel Macron asked Vladimir Putin to spare civilians.
Franceinfo summarizes the highlights of the day.
Russian and Ukrainian emissaries return to their country after initial negotiations
A first round of negotiations took place between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. The emissaries of the two parties met in one of the residences of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in the Gomel region, not far from the damaged Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which is in Ukrainian territory.
After more than five hours of discussion, the delegations left the negotiating table for “consultations in their respective capitals”. The two camps have announced that they want a “second round” of talks before leaving Belarus. “The parties have established a series of priorities and themes which require certain decisions” ahead of a second round of talks scheduled for the next few days, said Mikhailo Podoliak, one of the Ukrainian negotiators.
Macron exchanges with Putin, who calls for the recognition of the independence of Crimea
President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, Emmanuel Macron discussed at length Monday with his Russian counterpart. After a telephone interview lasting about an hour and a half, the Elysée announced that the Russian president had “confirmed his will” avoid strikes against civilians and highways.
But Vladimir Putin, for his part, reiterated a list of requirements for any settlement of the conflict, using an outrageous vocabulary that is now usual. The Russian president has thus called for the recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, and a “demilitarization and denazification” from Ukraine. He further underlined that the resolution of the conflict “was only possible if Russia’s legitimate security interests were unconditionally taken into account”according to the Kremlin.
At least 11 dead in shelling in Kharkiv
War continues to rage on Ukrainian soil. At least 11 people were killed in Russian bombardments on residential areas of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city on the border with Russia, the regional governor announced on Monday, saying he feared “dozens of dead”.
“Because of these ongoing bombings, we cannot call on the rescue services (…) Currently, there are 11 dead and dozens injured”regional governor Oleg Sinegoubov wrote on social media.
Ukraine has reported 352 civilians killed and 2,040 injured since the invasion began on Thursday. She claims that several thousand Russian soldiers perished. The Russians, meanwhile, gave no figures.
Ukraine asks to be integrated “without delay” into the European Union
In a video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday urged the European Union to integrate “without delay” his country, which has been fighting a Russian invasion for five days. Questioned by Euronews on this subject on Sunday, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen spoke in favor of this option. “They are ours and we want them to be in the EU”she said in an interview with Euronews.
“Membership is a long-standing request from Ukraine. But there are different opinions and sensitivities within the EU on enlargement. Ukraine will submit an official request, the European Commission will have to express a official opinion and the Council will decide”tempered Monday Charles Michel, who chairs the European Council.
Emergency session at the UN, where an end to the fighting is demanded
The 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly had a rare “emergency special session” dedicated to the conflict. After one “minute of silence, prayer and meditation”on the initiative of its president, the calls to stop the war multiplied there.
“Fighting in Ukraine must stop”hammered the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres. “Enough is enough. The soldiers must return to their barracks”he added.
Historically neutral, Switzerland chooses to sanction Moscow
An unprecedented diplomatic reversal. Shocked by the brutality of the invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland chose Monday to resume “the whole” European Union economic sanctions against Russia, including against President Vladimir Putin himself. Historically attached to neutrality, the country hosts banks highly prized by Russian oligarchs.
The country “take this step with conviction, thoughtfully and unequivocally”insisted the President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, during a press briefing following an extraordinary meeting of the federal government.
Half a million refugees fled Ukraine
More than half a million Ukrainian refugees fleeing the invasion of their country by Vladimir Putin’s Russia have flocked to border countries since Thursday, according to the latest UN census.
For Sunday alone, Polish border guards said they had identified nearly 100,000 people arriving from Ukraine and 28,000 more on the night of Sunday to Monday alone.
Russia prohibits overflight of its lands to many countries
In response to the closure of the airspace of many states to Russian planes, Moscow announced Monday to restrict the flights of airlines from 36 countries. Among the States concerned are all the countries of the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Russia will not play the World Cup organized in Qatar
Diplomacy also involves international sports bodies. Russia was kicked out of the FIFA World Cup by hosts FIFA. The body also announced on Monday the suspension of national teams and Russian clubs from international competitions. “until further notice” in response to the invasion of Ukraine, in a joint statement with the European Confederation (UEFA).