Ukrainians demonstrate in Kiev, Russian parliament approves Putin’s choices, Germany stops Nord Stream 2

Ukrainians demonstrate against Russia in Kiev. Under the colors of the European Union mixed with Ukrainian flags in front of the Russian embassy in Kiev, the demonstrators boo Vladimir Putin for having recognized the independence of the two separatist territories of Donetsk and Lugansk. For 8 years, the conflict in eastern Ukraine has claimed 14,000 lives.

In Russia, the Duma dubs Vladimir Putin’s decision. Unsurprisingly, the parliament approved the independence of the separatist territories of Ukraine and the mutual aid agreement which allows the intervention of Russian forces. Unanimously with 155 votes for, zero against, for the upper house. A little earlier, the deputies of the chamber had also voted for this decision.

In Germany, in the port of Lubmin, near the Baltic Sea, everything was ready. All that was missing was the administrative decision. Blocking Nord Stream 2 is bad news for this region which has invested a lot, but remains united. “We support this decision and the region will freeze work on climate offsets for this facility”, said Simone Oldenburg, deputy premier of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region. With the suspension of Nord Stream 2, the hope of garnering 1.5 million euros in business tax per year has just vanished.