► The Pope denounces “a shameful disaster for humanity”
Pope Francis marked 1,000 days since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday, November 20, seeing it as a “tragic birthday” et “a shameful disaster for humanity”in the presence of the Ukrainian first lady, Olena Zelenska.
“Yesterday marked 1,000 days since the invasion of Ukraine. A tragic anniversary for the victims and the destruction it caused”declared the Argentine pope at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
“But at the same time, (it is) a shameful disaster for all humanity”he added in front of the thousands of faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, where Olena Zelenska was present alongside the first ladies of Armenia, Lithuania and Serbia.
“However, this should not dissuade us from remaining close to the martyred Ukrainian people, imploring peace and working so that weapons give way to dialogue, and conflict to encounter”declared the Pope again.
► Moscow claims the capture of a new locality in Ukraine
Russia has claimed the capture of a new town near Kurakhové, in eastern Ukraine, one of the sectors of the front where its troops are advancing against a Ukrainian army which has been retreating for several months.
“Following an offensive”Russian forces “liberated the locality of Ilinka” in the Donetsk region, the Russian army said in a statement, cited by Russian news agencies.
► The United States will supply antipersonnel mines to Ukraine
The United States will provide Ukraine with “non-persistent antipersonnel mines” (equipped with a self-destruct or self-deactivation device) to strengthen its defenses against the Russian invasion, a senior US official said.
This decision comes after the green light given on Sunday by President Joe Biden to Ukraine for the use against Russian territory of long-range missiles supplied by the United States.
“They are fully committed to prolonging the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to this end”Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov reacted shortly after the announcement.
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) denounced the decision “disastrous” of the United States. “Ukraine must make it clear that it cannot and will not accept these weapons”wrote the organization in a press release.
► The American embassy fears a “significant air attack”
The US Embassy in kyiv warned of “possible significant air attack” the day after Russia promised to respond to Ukraine’s firing of long-range American missiles on its territory.
The embassy “received specific information regarding a possible significant air attack on November 20”it indicates on its website.
“As a precautionary measure, the embassy will be closed and embassy employees are advised to shelter in place”specifies the text of the American representation which recommends to its nationals “to prepare to take shelter immediately in the event of an announced air alert”.
► “We will lose” without American aid, warns Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine would lose against Russia if the United States stopped helping the country, while kyiv and its European allies fear American disengagement under the future presidency of Donald Trump.
“If they cut (the aid), I think we will lose. Of course, we will stay, we will fight (…) but I think that is not enough to survive”declared the Ukrainian leader during an interview with Fox News, the conservatives’ favorite American channel.
► Macron denounces Russia’s “escalatory” posture
President Emmanuel Macron denounced a posture “escalatory” of Russia in the war in Ukraine, calling “to reason” Vladimir Putin, who expanded his possibilities for using nuclear weapons.
“Here I really want to call Russia to reason. She has responsibilities as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council”Emmanuel Macron told journalists after a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. “Russia today is becoming a global destabilizing power”he accused.
