French MPs largely supported the security agreement signed between Paris and kyiv, while Russian bombing in Ukraine continued.
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French MPs largely supported the Franco-Ukrainian security agreement, concluded in mid-February, during a consultative vote on Tuesday March 12. At the same time, President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would give an interview on Thursday to France 2 and TF1 about Ukraine. In the country, a Russian bombing on Kryvyï Rig left at least three dead and 38 injured. Franceinfo takes stock of the highlights of the day.
Emmanuel Macron will give an interview on Thursday to “20 Heures” on France 2 and TF1
The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will grant an interview to France 2 and TF1 on Thursday March 14, the two channels announced. The Head of State will answer questions from Anne-Sophie Lapix (France 2) and Gilles Bouleau (TF1) live from the Elysée in the 8 p.m. news.
The Head of State will speak about France’s support for Ukraine and the challenges facing Europe. This interview will be broadcast live on France 2 and on TF1, and simultaneously on franceinfo channel 27, franceinfo.fr, france.tv, TF1 Info and LCI channel 26.
French MPs broadly support the security agreement signed between Paris and kyiv
Two years after the start of the Russian invasion, the majority wanted to point the finger at the “ambiguities” of the National Rally and La France insoumise with regard to Moscow by asking deputies to comment on the Franco-Ukrainian security agreement, concluded in mid-February and including a strengthening of military cooperation.
The latter largely supported the text, during a consultative vote, by 372 votes for and 99 against, announced the President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet at the end of the vote.
The Renaissance deputies voted in favor of the text, as did the Horizons and Socialist deputies and the majority of the Republicans, but also almost the entire MoDem group and that of the Ecologist group. The National Rally deputies abstained, while the rebellious and communist deputies voted against.
US sends new military aid to Ukraine
Despite a blockage in Congress, the administration of US President Joe Biden showed its support for Ukraine on Tuesday by announcing new military aid to kyiv 300 million dollars (around 275 million euros). This However, this amount is far from the large envelope requested by President Biden for months.
This aid includes anti-aircraft missiles, ammunition and artillery shells and responds to “some urgent needs of Ukraine”underlined Jake Sullivan, advisor to US President Joe Biden.
Pro-kyiv Russian fighters enter border areas
On Tuesday morning, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, fighters from Ukraine attempted to enter the border regions of Belgorod and Kursk, equipped with tanks and armored vehicles and after a “intensive shelling” during the night. This offensive comes three days before the start of the Russian presidential election, which should see Vladimir Putin triumph in the absence of any opposition.
“Thanks to the self-sacrifice of the Russian military, all attacks by Ukrainian terrorist groups were repelled”, affirmed the Russian ministry. However, a member of the territorial defense was killed and ten civilians injured. For his part, Moscow claims to have inflicted heavy losses on its adversary.
Three dead and 38 injured in Russian strike on Kryvyi Rig
At least three people were killed and 38 injured, including children, in a Russian strike that hit an apartment building in Kryvyi Rig, hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky, in central Ukraine, the country’s authorities announced.
“Three dead and 38 injured. There are injured children”Interior Minister Igor Klymenko indicated on Telegram, specifying that the toll could rise further.
Lithuanian President supports Emmanuel Macron
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed his support for his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who provoked an outcry by not ruling out sending soldiers to Ukraine.
“All options regarding our support for Ukraine must remain on the table,” declared Gitanas Nauseda upon his arrival at the Elysée. In this regard, the Lithuanian President welcomed the “France’s role in military aid and its proposals for reflection on additional, non-traditional means to be implemented to help Ukraine”.
A Russian opponent in exile attacked at his home in Lithuania
Leonid Volkov, a Russian opponent in exile, was hospitalized after being the victim of an attack outside his home in Vilnius, local police told AFP. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis condemned attack “shocking” and assured, in a message on “answer for their crimes”.
Aged 43, Leonid Volkov is one of the main opposition figures in Russia and was one of Navalny’s lieutenants, who died in custody in Russia on February 16. Those close to Navalny released photos showing the injuries suffered by the opponent, including a black eye, a red mark on his forehead and blood on one of his legs.