The Ukrainian government, which accuses Russia of practicing a form of “state terrorism” by multiplying deadly strikes against civilian targets, on Tuesday asked Western countries to intensify their efforts to support it by adopting measures without further delay. shocks likely to exacerbate the ire of the Kremlin.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky notably called on Tuesday for NATO to set up a no-fly zone over his country, which is not a member of the organization, so as to deprive Russian forces of their advantage in this area.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stressed that such a move would be a “very, very big step” in the current context as it would mean that Atlantic Alliance forces would be called upon to shoot down Russian planes. , which would lead to a perilous direct confrontation with Moscow.
The Secretary General of NATO hastened to specify, in the same vein, that the Alliance is “defensive in nature” and does not seek to enter into conflict with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned against such actions since the launch of the military offensive against Ukraine, even brandishing the nuclear threat to convince the countries supporting Kiev not to go too far.
Membership of the European Union
The Ukrainian head of state also asked on Tuesday that his country be able to be integrated “without delay” into the European Union in a speech presented to MEPs by video from Kiev.
PHOTO JOHN THYS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers an address to MEPs via video from Kyiv on Tuesday
“Prove to us that you are with us, prove to us that you are not abandoning us and that you are really Europeans! pleaded Mr. Zelensky, arousing a standing ovation from the deputies, who then adopted a resolution calling on the European authorities “to work for the granting to Ukraine of the status of candidate to the EU”.
The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, who represents the 27 member countries, assured without further details that European leaders “would take their responsibilities” in the face of the Ukrainian request despite Moscow’s historic opposition to such a rapprochement.
Rapid accession would allow Ukraine to formalize its political and economic link with Western countries. It could also promote the application of a mutual solidarity clause likely to come into play in times of conflict, notes Frédéric Mérand, from the Center for International Studies and Research at the University of Montreal (CERIUM).
PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Applause from MEPs in the European Parliament after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address on Tuesday
The accession process, however, normally takes years and can only be launched with the unanimous approval of the Member States, underlines the researcher, who does not rule out the possibility of a rapid vote on this subject due to the historical gravity of the situation.
Whatever happens, European countries have already “moved a lot” over the past two weeks to help Ukraine, notes Mr. Mérand.
European aid
In addition to announcing the shipment of arms and ammunition, European countries agreed, in concert with the United States and Canada in particular, to apply a series of biting sanctions against Russia, in particular the exclusion of several banks in the Swift exchange system and the prohibition of transactions with the Central Bank of Russia, limiting its ability to counter the fall of the ruble.
They have also banned the overflight of their airspace by Russian aircraft and multiplied trade restrictions so as to penalize the regime of President Vladimir Putin, which finds itself increasingly isolated internationally. Restrictions on gas and oil imports are under discussion, while announcements of boycotts and exclusion are multiplying in the cultural and sporting spheres.
The Russian regime can count on China’s support so far to counter the effects of the sanctions, but Beijing is struggling to hide its irritation at the military intervention, which is causing it diplomatic headaches.
A Kremlin spokesman assured Tuesday that the sanctions, as severe as they are, would not force Russia to review the “special military operation” launched against Ukraine, which caused hundreds of victims in the population. The large-scale attack, which affects large parts of the country, has also led, according to the United Nations, to the internal displacement of a million people and the hasty departure of nearly 700,000 others to neighboring countries.
Taking the opposite view of Moscow, which claims to stick to strictly military targets, the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, accused the Russian army of indiscriminately striking “schools, hospitals and buildings residences” by multiplying the violations of international humanitarian law.
New series of attacks
As they had done on Monday, Russian forces notably stepped up strikes on Tuesday against Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 35, according to local authorities. A powerful long-range missile notably targeted an administrative building located in the heart of the city, on Place de la Liberté, generating a gigantic ball of fire which was captured on video.
“There were no military targets in this square. […] It is a war crime,” accused the Ukrainian president. “It’s not just a war, it’s the massacre of the Ukrainian population,” accused the mayor of Kharkiv, Igor Terekhov.
The city of Mariupol, in the south of the country, was at the same time deprived of electricity after a new series of attacks by Russian troops, who seek to surround it.
Strikes also damaged a major telecommunications tower in Kiev after the Russian Defense Ministry warned the population that targeted actions were planned.
A daily journalist The Guardian reports that the station was stormed Tuesday by panicked residents, who hoped to leave the city before the launch of a major offensive.
A military convoy several tens of kilometers long has been heading for the capital for a few days, raising fears of a possible encirclement attempt. The United States says its progress is extremely slow, however, which could reflect supply and logistical difficulties.
A “more brutal” sequel?
In an analysis reported by the washington posta military expert, Ryan Baker, notes that it is not uncommon for such problems to arise during major military offensives.
The mere fact that units are struggling and the invasion is progressing slowly is not enough to conclude that the operation will fail.
Ryan Baker, military expert, in an analysis relayed by the washington post
Another analyst familiar with the Russian military, Michael Kofman, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that the military appeared to be making adjustments after getting off to a “chaotic” start.
The war, he warns, will undoubtedly become “more brutal” and risks being decided according to the size of the contingents deployed and the firepower, two elements playing in favor of Russia.
President of the United States Joe Biden assured in the evening during the State of the Union address that Vladimir Putin “will pay a high price” for his actions in Ukraine even if he manages to register gains on the battlefield.