A calmer day on the war front between Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian army affirmed, on Sunday June 19, repelling Russian attacks near Sievierodonetsk, while NATO warned the international community that the war could last “years”. Franceinfo looks back on the highlights of the day.
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Fighting still rages in Sievierodonetsk region
The Ukrainian army claimed to have repelled Russian attacks near Sievierodonetsk, in the east of the country, the scene of bloody fighting. “Our units repelled the assault in the Tochkivka regionthe Ukrainian military said on Facebook. The enemy has retreated and is regrouping.”
The local governor, Serguiï Gaïdaï, described as “lies” the idea that the Russians controlled the strategic locality of Sievierodonetsk. “Indeed, they control the majority of the city but they do not control it entirely”he said on Telegram.
For its part, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that “the offensive against Sievierodonetsk proceeds successfully”. “Units of the People’s Militia of the Luhansk People’s Republic, supported by the Russian armed forces, liberated the locality of Metolkin”southeast of Sievierodonetsk.
NATO warns of a war that could last “for years”
As Ukraine shows its determination to fight to the end, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that Western countries must be ready to offer long-term support to kyiv during a bitter war.
The war could last “years”he warned in an interview published on Sunday by the German daily Pictureurging Western countries to sustain their support for kyiv. “We must not falter in supporting Ukraine, even though the costs are high, not only in terms of military support but also due to rising energy and food prices”said the head of NATO.
Germany bets on coal to do without Russian gas
Finally, on the gas front, the flow of which Russia has massively reduced this week to Western Europe, Germany, the first target, has announced that it is taking measures to return to more coal, a polluting energy that it had planned to drop by 2030. “It’s bitter, but [le recours au charbon] is essential to reduce gas consumption”said the Ecologist Minister of Economy and Climate Robert Habeck. “We should have no illusions, we are in a showdown with Putin”he added.
As for the Italian group ENI, also very dependent on deliveries from Moscow, Qatar has announced that it is joining the French TotalEnergies in the North Field East (NFE) project, which aims to increase the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 60%. ) of the Gulf country by 2027.