How to continue to help Ukraine while the conflict is bogged down? The question was at the heart of the day on Tuesday April 26 for around forty countries, gathered in Germany.
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The day was also marked by rising tensions in Moldova, where explosions took place in the Transnistria region. Franceinfo takes stock of what to remember from this day of war in Ukraine.
A monthly meeting to help kyiv militarily
The United States and its allies will now meet monthly to discuss how to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities against Russia, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced after meeting with representatives of some 40 country in Germany.
“Today’s meeting will become a monthly contact group on the defense of Ukraine”he declared, adding that he wanted to coordinate the action of “nations of goodwill to intensify our efforts, coordinate our assistance and focus on victory in the fight today and the fights to come”.
Berlin to deliver tanks to Ukraine
Germany will for its part authorize the delivery to Ukraine of around fifty “anti-aircraft tanks”, making an about-face from its hitherto cautious policy in its military support for kyiv. France is expected to send guns with a range of 40 kilometers, the United Kingdom has delivered anti-aircraft missiles and Poland tanks.
Moldova tightens security after explosions in Transnistria
Moldova has called for calm and announced to strengthen its security after explosions in the separatist region of Transnistria, supported by Moscow. “This is an attempt to increase tensions (…) The Moldovan authorities will take care to prevent the republic from being drawn into a conflict”said Moldovan President Maïa Sandu.
kyiv accuses Moscow of trying to “destabilize” Transdniestria while France supported the Moldavians.
Antonio Guterres in Moscow for a ceasefire
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres pleaded, during his first trip to Moscow since the start of the offensive, for a ceasefire “as soon as possible”.
He called on kyiv and Moscow to work together, with the UN, to open humanitarian corridors. And he said to himself “concerned by repeated reports of possible war crimes”judging that they “require an independent investigation”.
Russia said to itself “ready to cooperate” with the UN to “relieve” civilians in Ukraine, assured the head of Russian diplomacy Sergey Lavrov. “Despite everything, the negotiations continue (…) I hope that we will reach a positive result”said Vladimir Putin during his meeting with Antonio Guterres.
Level of radioactivity “in the normal range” in Chernobyl
The level of radioactivity in Chernobyl is “in the normal range”, estimated the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who was there on Tuesday, 36 years after the explosion at the nuclear power plant.
Located 150 kilometers from kyiv, the plant had fallen into the hands of the Russians on the first day of their invasion, before being the victim of a cut in electricity and communications networks. Since the withdrawal of the Russians on March 31, the situation has normalized, according to the IAEA.
The European Union warned Tuesday of a new nuclear disaster in Ukraine and asked Moscow to refrain from any action against the nuclear installations of this country.
Nine civilians killed, and 5.3 million refugees
At least nine civilians died Tuesday in Russian bombings in eastern and southern Ukraine, according to reports released by local authorities.
Nearly 5.3 million Ukrainians have also fled their country since the start of the invasion by Russian troops two months ago, and the UN expects there to be three million. more by the end of the year.