Russia-Ukraine: attacks continue throughout the country with explosions also in the west. Russian troops a few kilometers from Kiev and other bombs hit the city left in the dark and without water. According to the Jerusalem Post, Moscow would be available for negotiations in Israel and Zelensky speaks of a "different attitude" on the part of the Kremlin. Opening that Germany and France do not see after the phone call with Moscow and Macron warns: "Putin does not want to stop".
The feeling is that the Russian president takes one step forward and two steps back. Probably exasperated by international isolation, he reversed course also to reassure public opinion. First he entrusts the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Ryabkovdi, with the task of delivering a message that sounds like an ultimatum: "The West has done wrong to support Ukraine, know that the foreign convoys that will transport military aid to Kiev are considered targets to attack". And here runs a thrill for a real expansion of the conflict. Then he adds that the economic war unleashed by the US and Europe will have "serious repercussions" and that Moscow too is preparing a long list of retaliatory measures.
After quashing the fear of a Third World war it appears open to dialogue, not only with Ukraine but also with the United States which in the meantime has authorized further aid of up to 200 million dollars for military equipment and services, education and training of Ukrainians.
Russia-Ukraine, Kiev: the circle closes. Explosions also in Lviv
While satellite images show the advance of Russian tanks up to 25 km from the center of the Ukrainian capital, in the last few hours heavy rocket attacks have destroyed an airbase near Vasylkiv, thirty kilometers south-west of the city and 100 from Poland. Probably to create difficulties in supplying the armaments entering from Eastern countries. Explosions have also been reported a kherson and Lviv which, according to the Kyiv Independent, is under missile attack.
With Kiev increasingly encircled and Mariupol starved of water and food, the Russian army also strikes Kherson with violence where the regional council rejected the Russian referendum for independence in order to create a People's Republic similar to those created in 2014 and in 2015 in the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces. A "farce referendum to create a pseudo-republic with the aim of dividing the country", remarked the Ukrainian president and the foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba.
Russia-Ukraine, Zelensky: "Moscow has changed its attitude"
Ukrainian President and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke about how Israel can contribute to efforts to defuse the conflict. Zelensky has asked for talks with Putin to be held in Jerusalem, with Israeli mediation. The Russian president is reportedly considering the proposal and indeed, according to the Jerusalem Post, is "ready to hold talks in Jerusalem". Russia has demonstrated "a fundamentally different approach" and "started talking about something, not just ultimatums", the Ukrainian president said at a press conference in Kiev, adding that he was "glad to have a signal from Russia".
Meanwhile, Russia-Ukraine confirm that i negotiations between the delegations - so far held on Belarusian territory in three rounds (disappointing also from the point of view of humanitarian corridors) - continue by video conference. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov also confirmed this, adding that the Russian delegation will still be led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky.
Macron and Sholz more pessimistic: "Putin doesn't want to stop"
President Emmanuel Macron quenched the enthusiasm with Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the "very difficult" phone call with Putin, according to whom "he has not given any sign of a willingness to suspend the war" on the contrary he accused the forces of Kiev of "flagrant violations ” of international humanitarian law calling on the leaders of France and Germany to “exert their influence” on local authorities to put an end to it. “We – reported Elysee sources – draw one consequence: Putin must take note of even heavier sanctions”.
Even the Ukrainian foreign minister was skeptical about the possibility of negotiating a agreement with Russia. "There is little room for diplomacy in Putin's head," he said speaking at a forum organized in Washington. "We still have to keep the channel of diplomacy open, but being aware of the manipulation attempts carried out by Russia, which continues to make unacceptable demands for us". "We – reiterated Kuleba – will not compromise on any of the existential issues that concern Ukraine".
