Former Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny appointed ambassador to the United Kingdom
The former Ukrainian commander-in-chief, General Valery Zalouzhny, replaced at the beginning of February, has been appointed ambassador to the United Kingdom, announced the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The president approved the candidacy of Valery Zalouzhny for the post of extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom,” the ministry said in a press release, a month after this major change at the head of the army Ukrainian.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had appointed Oleksandr Syrsky, a lesser-known general, as his replacement. His decision, the subject of persistent rumors, followed the failure of kyiv’s counter-offensive in 2023 and against a backdrop of tensions between MM. Zelensky and Zalouzhny, very popular military leader. Valery Zalouzhny, 50, was appointed commander-in-chief in July 2021, a few months before the start of the Russian invasion launched in February 2022.
“Russia no longer has red lines for France,” says Medvedev
“Macron said, ‘there are no more red lines, there are no more limits’ regarding support for Ukraine. So that means Russia no longer has red lines for France “, wrote the former Russian president, current vice-president of the Security Council in a post on X . Dmitri Medvedev, accustomed to threats and provocations, responds to Emmanuel Macron’s remarks made today during a meeting with opposition leaders at the Elysée. The head of state reaffirmed French support for kyiv, declaring that there were “no limits”, “no red lines”, a few days after having mentioned a possible sending of troops on the ground.
Sweden’s accession to NATO demonstrates Russia’s “strategic debacle”, according to Washington
American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken estimated that Sweden’s integration into NATO demonstrates the “strategic debacle” suffered by Russia.
Sweden officially becomes the 32nd member of NATO during a ceremony in Washington
Sweden today became the 32nd member of NATO with the handing over of official documents during a ceremony in Washington, the Scandinavian country having chosen, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to end two centuries of non-alignment. “Everything comes to those who wait,” declared the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken, referring to a long ratification process among the 31 members.
Emmanuel Macron increases France’s “involvement” in the conflict in Ukraine, says the Kremlin
“Mr Macron is convinced of his policy of wanting to inflict a strategic defeat on our country and he continues to increase the level of direct involvement of France” in the conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin spokesperson said, Dmitri Peskov, in a video broadcast on Telegram by a Russian journalist. A statement which follows the French president’s comments not ruling out sending Western troops there. A possibility rejected by most of its allies.
Paris affirms its “unwavering support” for Moldova in the face of the Russian threat
France affirmed Thursday its “unwavering support” for the “independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Moldova, whose president was received at the Elysée to conclude a defense agreement between the two countries. A week after the call from Transniedstria separatists for the “protection” of Moscow, which maintains 1,500 soldiers in this region bordering Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron and his counterpart Maia Sandu called in a joint statement on Russia to “withdraw its forces illegally stationed on Moldovan territory.
It is “irresponsible” to compare the RN to “a foreign occupation army”, Jordan Bardella told Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron told political parties there are ‘no limits’ to French support for Ukraine
President Emmanuel Macron explained this Thursday to party leaders that there were “no limits”, “no red lines” to France’s support for Ukraine, at war against Russia, officials reported. PCF and RN Fabien Roussel and Jordan Bardella leaving the Élysée. The president of the far-right party assured that he had pleaded during this nearly three-hour meeting for “France not to enter into war with Russia”, also criticizing the remarks of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. who, according to him, compared the RN to “a foreign occupation army”.
On Russian television, we joke about the first French city to be razed first
Marine Tondelier denounces “a problem of amateurism”
“It’s really a problem of amateurism at this stage,” said the head of the Ecologists Marine Tondelier about Emmanuel Macron’s recent statements, referring to a “virilist declaration”.
Olivier Faure (PS) accuses Emmanuel Macron of offering “unprecedented clarity” to Vladimir Putin
The boss of the socialists Olivier Faure accused the head of state of having achieved “the unity of all” Westerners “against France” and offered “unprecedented clarity” to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the fact “that none of these countries want to commit ground troops.”
Manuel Bompard (LFI) calls for “more measure”
“I invite him to be a little more measured,” declared the coordinator of La France insoumise Manuel Bompard to the press upon his arrival at the Elysée, deploring a speech which has “discredited”, “isolated” and “weakened” France. Emmanuel Macron welcomed party leaders on Thursday to discuss the conflict in Ukraine ahead of a parliamentary vote which promises to be tumultuous, the oppositions having unanimously denounced the president’s “irresponsible” remarks on the possibility of sending soldiers to the ground.
Russia summons US ambassador over ‘attempts at interference’
Russia summoned the American ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, this Thursday to denounce what Moscow considers to be “attempts to interfere” by American NGOs in its internal affairs, one week before the presidential election. Moscow accuses three American NGOs specializing in education of “implementing programs and projects of anti-Russian orientation with the support of the embassy” and of seeking to “recruit agents of influence under the cover of educational and cultural exchanges. The ministry threatened US embassy employees with expulsion if they were “involved in such actions”.
Thousands of angry farmers demonstrate in Warsaw
Senior Russian officer says conflict likely to widen across Europe
Sweden officially joins NATO
After two centuries of neutrality then military non-alignment and two years of negotiations, Sweden will officially become the 32nd member of NATO this Thursday, a major step for a country which has until now been careful not to provoke the ire of Moscow. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is traveling to Washington, where the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken is to officially receive the ratification documents. The latter had been obtained through a hard struggle after long negotiations with certain members of the Alliance. Russia promised last week to take “countermeasures” in reaction to Stockholm’s accession.
Russian strikes on Odessa highlight ‘urgent need’ for military aid for Ukraine, White House says
The Russian strikes on Odessa on Wednesday are a reminder of “the urgent need” for military aid for Ukraine, and in particular “for anti-aircraft defense systems”, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council commented on Wednesday. . The American executive judges that it is too early to say whether these strikes, which left five people dead, targeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was traveling in the port city in southern Ukraine with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The European Union condemns the strike on Odessa
Several European leaders condemned the attack carried out by the Russians in Odessa on Wednesday during the visit of Volodymyr Zelensky accompanied by the Greek Prime Minister. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen strongly condemns the “despicable attack on Odessa”. “No one is intimidated by this new attempt at terrorism – certainly not the two leaders on the ground nor the courageous Ukrainian people. More than ever, we stand with Ukraine.” For his part, the President of the European Council Charles Michel asserts: “The attack (…) is a further sign of Russia’s cowardly tactics in its war of aggression against Ukraine. It is reprehensible, and this “doesn’t even comply with the Kremlin’s rules.”
Russian strike on Odessa leaves 5 dead
The Russian strike on Odessa on Wednesday, during the visit to this southern Ukrainian port city of President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left five people dead, the Ukrainian navy announced. “We confirm the attack on the port infrastructure of the city of Odessa. We confirm the death of five people. There are also injured,” said spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk, also confirming that the attack had took place while the Greek delegation was visiting the port with the Ukrainian head of state.
Sarkozy, Hollande, party leaders… Why Emmanuel Macron consults
Why is the National Assembly going to vote?
Emmanuel must present to party leaders behind closed doors the results of the international conference to amplify military support for Ukraine organized last week in Paris. The French strategy will then be the subject of a debate, followed by a vote, in Parliament – next Tuesday in the National Assembly, then Wednesday in the Senate.
The RN targeted by the majority on support for Russia
Government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot even judged on Wednesday “quite obvious that the National Rally” was not aligned with the position of the executive which is to “refuse that Vladimir Putin wins”. Traveling to The Hague, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal also accused the RN of “supporting Russia more than Ukraine”.
Emmanuel Macron receives party leaders on Ukraine
Emmanuel Macron receives party leaders on Thursday to discuss the conflict in Ukraine ahead of a parliamentary vote, and after raising the possibility of a military presence on the ground which has revived divisions before the European elections. “I think it will clarify” the positions, the head of state told a few journalists on Tuesday on the sidelines of a trip to Prague. “It’s a moment of truth,” adds those around him, evoking cracks in the “unanimity” observed again last summer on support for kyiv.