The question of the “neutrality” of eastern Ukraine “studied in depth”Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured Sunday March 27 in an interview with Russian media. “This point of the negotiations (…) is under discussion, it is studied in depth”, he said in this online interview, broadcast on the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian presidential administration. The question of the country’s neutrality is one of the central points of negotiations with Russia to end the conflict. Franceinfo summarizes what to remember from the developments of the day.
New negotiations between Ukraine and Russia planned in Turkey
Russian and Ukrainian delegations will meet in Turkey from Monday to Wednesday for a new round of face-to-face negotiations, one of the Ukrainian negotiators, David Arakhamia, announced on Sunday March 27. The chief negotiator on the Russian side, Vladimir Medinski, quoted by Russian agencies, also announced the holding of a new round of talks, but said that they would take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, without specifying the place.
Paris calls for continued dialogue with Putin
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Sunday called for continued dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin until he realizes the “price to pay” for his invasion of Ukraine and that he wants to negotiate. Earlier, President Emmanuel Macron had warned against a “escalating words and actions in Ukraine”after the remarks of his American counterpart Joe Biden calling Vladimir Putin a “Butcher”.
Ukraine calls for a boycott of the Auchan group
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy has called for a boycott of Auchan supermarkets, which have chosen to maintain their activity in Russia, arguing in particular for the need to support the purchasing power of Russians.
“Apparently the job losses in Russia are greater than the deaths in Ukraine”wrote Dmytro Kouleba on Twitter. “If Auchan ignores the 139 Ukrainian children murdered during this month of Russian invasion, let’s ignore Auchan and all its products”he added, calling for “boycott” lhe Auchan, Leroy-Merlin and Decathlon stores, all owned by the Mulliez Family Association.
A possible referendum in Lugansk on independence
The separatist territory of Lugansk, whose independence Moscow has recognized but not the international community, could soon hold a referendum to join Russia, said the leader of this territory, Leonid Passechnik. “All fake referendums in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void and will have no legitimacy”reacted on Twitter the spokesman of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pope Francis denounces the “martyrdom” of Ukraine
Pope Francis denounced “the martyr” and “aggression” of Ukraine via Moscow. “More than a month has passed since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, since the start of this cruel and senseless war”said the pontiff in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, referring to “a barbaric and sacrilegious act” against one “Martyred Ukraine”.