The West does not intend to lower its guard. There can’t be “to have no relaxation of Western resolve until the horror inflicted on Ukraine is over”say the American president Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, according to a statement released by Downing Street. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he evoked signals “positives” during the talks with Russia, in Turkey. Franceinfo summarizes the highlights of the day.
Slight warming during talks between Kyiv and Moscow
The signals from Tuesday’s Russian-Ukrainian talks in Turkey are “positives”said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We can say that the signals we hear in the negotiations are positive, but they do not silence the explosions or the Russian shells”, he said in a video message posted on Telegram. Corn Ukraine does not have no “intent to release” its military efforts, he assured.
The lifting of Western sanctions against Russia “can only be considered once the war is over”Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday, hours after a new round of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Turkey.
Moscow promises to “radically” reduce its military activity, Washington remains on guard
Russia promised to reduce “radically” its military activity in Ukraine, around several cities including kyiv, the capital. This statement was made by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. US President Joe Biden said he was waiting to see if Russia would “keep his word” on a de-escalation. Then Washington affirmed, through the voice of the spokesperson for the American Department of Defense, that the Russian forces around kyiv had begun a “repositioning” but “not a real withdrawal”. “We must be ready to see a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine” and “this does not mean that the threat against kyiv is over”he warned.
Situation blocked for Mariupol
Surrounded and almost completely destroyed, this port city in southern Ukraine knows no respite. Discussions are continuing on the diplomatic front but are not progressing. Emmanuel Macron once again spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday afternoon. The conditions are not met for the establishment of humanitarian corridors under the aegis of the UN, said the Elysée. The presidency specifies that Vladimir Putin will think about it and come back to Emmanuel Macron. “To find a solution to the difficult humanitarian situation in this city, Ukrainian nationalist fighters must stop resisting and lay down their arms”warned the Russian president.
Decathlon suspends its commercial activities in Russia
Under pressure since the start of the war in Ukraine, the brand belonging to the Mulliez family made this decision due to supply problems linked to international sanctions affecting Russia. The company claims to be “unable to maintain 92% of (its) supply” in Russia. Decathlon has been present in Russia since 2006 with 60 stores and an e-commerce site in 25 Russian cities. The brand is notably present in the Moscow region, where 22 of its stores are located.