Twenty-six days after the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the bombardments continued, Monday, March 21, on the main Ukrainian cities: kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Odessa, Mykolaiv… In an exceptional interview given to several European media, including France Televisions, and broadcast on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky assured that Ukraine again rejects “an ultimatum” from Russia. Franceinfo summarizes what to remember from the developments of the day.
Volodymyr Zelensky wants to believe in peace
“Like any citizen, I wish for peace. I keep the hope that in the future, we can find peace”, said Volodymyr Zelensky in the interview broadcast on franceinfo. As Ukraine lives its 26th day of war, the Ukrainian leader assured that Ukraine was ready to win, but not “whatever the price”. The president also returned to the position of NATO, to which he calls for the integration of his country. NATO countries “don’t accept us because they are afraid of Russia”he launched.
Mariupol devastation a ‘major war crime’, says European Union
The head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell denounced on Monday the destruction committed indiscriminately by the Russian army in the besieged city of Mariupol. “What is happening in Mariupol is a major war crime. Indiscriminate shelling is devastating the city and killing everyone” he charged, ahead of a meeting of EU foreign and defense ministers to discuss new sanctions against Moscow. Ukraine does not “will not lay down their arms and will not leave the city” besieged port of Mariupol (South), said its Deputy Prime Minister, ignoring a Russian ultimatum.
Facebook and Instagram banned in Russia for ‘extremism’
A Moscow court has banned American social networks Facebook and Instagram in Russia. The Russian security services (FSB) had earlier demanded the ban “immediate” American social networks Facebook and Instagram, accusing them of activities “directed against Russia and its armed forces”. A prosecutor had also asked for the prohibition of Meta, “due to clear signs of extremist activity”.
New curfew in Kyiv
Russian troops are still seeking to encircle kyiv, where a new curfew was introduced on Monday from 6 p.m. GMT (7 p.m. in Paris) until Wednesday 5 a.m. GMT (6 a.m. in Paris) On Monday, a bombing of the Retroville shopping center, northwest of the capital, killed at least eight people, according to Ukrainian authorities. The Russian military claimed that this shopping center was vacant and served as an arms and ammunition depot.
Nazi camp survivor killed
A Nazi concentration camp survivor, Boris Romantschenko, was killed in the bombing of the building where he lived in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, the German Buchenwald and Mittelbau Memorials Foundation announced on Monday. – Dora. She shared her “horror”.