DIRECT. War in Ukraine: France “strongly” recommends that its nationals leave Russia

The essential

• Russia continues to strike several Ukrainian cities including Kharkov, on this 8th day of offensive.
• A ceasefire is on the menu new Russian-Ukrainian talks this Thursday.
• Emmanuel Macron solemnly addressed the French on Wednesday evening to take stock of the conflict. What to remember from his speech.
• The UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding that Russia immediately stop using force once morest Ukraine, in a massive vote approved by 141 countries.
• One million refugees have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries since the Russian invasion began a week ago.

09:18

Soon a “sort of consulate” in Calais for refugees

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announces that his British counterpart intends to “set up a sort of consulate” in Calais where “several dozen” Ukrainian refugees, according to him, have presented themselves since Wednesday. Fleeing the invasion of their country by Russia, “several dozen Ukrainians have already presented themselves since yesterday in Calais, and in front of the tunnel (under the Channel) or in front of the port” to join their families in Great Britain, has declared the minister on France Inter.

09:07

France “strongly” recommends that its nationals leave Russia

The Quai d’Orsay “strongly recommends” to French nationals, “whose presence and that of their family is not essential in Russia, to make arrangements to leave the country by the still existing links”, specifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. foreign on his website. The Russian army continues its attacks on several major cities in Ukraine.

09:01

Russian radio Ekho Moskvy scuttled following being banned from air

A historical figure in the Russian media landscape, the independent radio station Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow), announces its self-dissolution, following being banned from broadcasting by the authorities because of its coverage of the invasion of Ukraine. Authorities blocked access to Ekho Moskvy and the independent online television channel Dojd, blaming them for their coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

08:50

Germany to deliver missiles to Ukraine

Berlin will increase its arms deliveries, sending 2,700 additional anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, according to a government source. Berlin had already authorized the delivery to Kiev on Saturday of 500 Stinger-type anti-aircraft missiles, 1v400 anti-tank rocket launchers and nine howitzers, all of which have arrived in Ukraine in the meantime.

08:45

Twitter blocks Russian media RT and Sputnik in Europe

The social network Twitter has in turn blocked the accounts of Russian media RT and Sputnik in the European Union. These two media are accused of being instruments of “disinformation” of Moscow in its war once morest Ukraine, according to the decision of the member states of the EU.

08:38

Time pays tribute to Ukraine

08:22

Russian and Belarusian athletes finally excluded from the Paralympic Games in Beijing

Russian and Belarusian athletes are finally excluded from Beijing Paralympic Games, announces the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The day before, the organizer had announced their maintenance in the competitionwhile ensuring that they would participate under a neutral banner and would not appear on the medal table.

08:13

“No large Ukrainian community in France”, according to Darmanin

“We can expect to see a lot of Ukrainians leaving their country,” said Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on France Inter. “Today, 800 Ukrainians have arrived since February 25-26 in France, sometimes to be in transit to Spain or England. There is not a large Ukrainian community in France: 17,000 Ukrainians have a residence permit,” he adds.

07:56

Jean-Yves Le Drian will visit Moldova

Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announces that he will soon be visiting Moldova. To the neighboring countries of Ukraine, which fear being also the target of a Russian offensive, the Minister of Defense assured that the question of their future membership of the European Union might be put on the table: “You are Europeans, you are in the family (…). Faced with this shift in history, the relationship between one and the other will be completely different, ”he continues.

07:54

“We are as determined as Vladimir Putin”, assures Le Drian

“We are as determined as Vladimir Putin, maybe even more. We are united, united and quick in the sanctions”, maintains Jean-Yves Le Drian on France 2, considering that “the Europe of yesterday is already no longer the same as today”.

07:52

“France remains present in Ukraine”, maintains Le Drian

“About a thousand French and dual nationals are still in Ukraine. We always advise them to leave by the southern route, ”said the Minister of Foreign Affairs. “We follow them all individually. These French people are in direct contact with our embassy. France remains present in Ukraine,” he assures us.

07:47

“Hundreds of dead”, according to Le Drian

“I have no figures to announce. But the war makes hundreds of deadincluding on the Russian side,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

07:45

“The worst may be ahead of us”, says Le Drian

“It is possible that the worst is ahead of us,” said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on the France 2 set, fearing a massacre in major Ukrainian cities. “We can fear a siege logic. The disaster continues and Russia’s despicable aggression continues”.

07:35

The dead at the heart of a “communication war”

07:24

Death of a Ukrainian member of the OSCE

A Ukrainian member of the local mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) died on Tuesday during the bombardment of Kharkiv by Russian forces, announces the international body. “Maryna Fenina (…) died in a bombardment in Kharkiv yesterday, March 1”, when “she was going to look for provisions for her family in a city which has become a war zone”, affirms the organization.

07:16

Towards a possible “emergency evacuation” of Indian students

Vladimir Putin discusses with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi an “emergency evacuation of Indian students” stranded in Kharkiv. The Indian government, however, denied that these students were forcibly detained in Ukraine, contrary to what the Russian authorities claimed.

06:20

Russian military strategy deciphered

A week following the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian troops have yet to capture the capital, Kiev. Several experts in military strategy describe to us the tactics of the army of Vladimir Putin. Ground invasion, bombings, paratroopers… here is the article to read to understand everything.

06:10

Zelensky praises thwarting Russia’s ‘devious’ plans

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated himself on the night of Wednesday to Thursday for having thwarted the “sneaky” plans of Russia which invaded his country, saying he was proud of the “heroic” resistance of the Ukrainians. “We are a nation that broke the enemy’s plans in a week. Plans written for years: sneaky, full of hatred for our country, our people,” he said in a video posted on Telegram.

05:55

UN votes to ‘demand’ Russia stop war in Ukraine

05:45

Ukrainians, Syrians, Afghans… is the reception of refugees in France variable?

Faced with certain remarks and announcements, associations helping migrants, who welcome the momentum of solidarity in France, recall that reception must be the same for all, regardless of the origin of the arrivals. We take stock of this controversy.

05:40

05:35

The city of Kherson fell well

Announced yesterday by the Russian army but then denied by the Ukrainians, the city of Kherson, 300,000 inhabitants in the south of the country, is in enemy hands, local authorities have since confirmed. This is the first significant Russian victory since the beginning of the war.

05:30

Hello and welcome

Follow with us the eighth day of the Russian offensive in Ukraine and the progress of the talks in Belarus.