War in Ukraine: refusal to send UN troops, 1 death in an attack, drop in the cost of oil… an update on the situation

Sending NATO troops

Russia on Thursday rejected the idea of ​​NATO countries sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire between kyiv and Moscow, saying such an initiative would risk provoking a “uncontrollable escalation”. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said later in the day that discussions with its Western allies on the possibility of security guarantees in the form of a contingent of foreign peacekeepers were in their early stages and would not ‘were not focused on a specific number.

This idea was completely unacceptable for Russia, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said at a press briefing. She thus responded to recent statements by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who raised the possibility of their countries providing troops to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. In an interview with a German newspaper last week, Boris Pistorius said that Berlin, as NATO’s main partner in Europe, “obviously has a role to play” and that the matter would be examined in due course. The British Prime Minister, for his part, said that the United Kingdom had discussed the idea of ​​a peacekeeping force with other allies and that London would play its role fully. Russia says it is open to dialogue with US President Donald Trump, who has said he wants to quickly end the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said Tuesday he was working on a meeting with his American counterpart to discuss a peace deal with Russia, estimated at least 200,000 peacekeepers would be needed to protect his country. country of a new Russian attack following a possible ceasefire agreement. During an interview with Bloomberg, Volodymyr Zelensky nevertheless clarified his remarks, specifying that the number of peacekeepers would depend on the size of the Ukrainian army. kyiv has categorically refused to limit the size of its army, which currently numbers 800,000 troops, as part of a deal.

“Yes, discussions are underway regarding […] foreign military contingents that could potentially be deployed in Ukraine”said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tikhy at a press briefing in kyiv. “Discussions are at a very early stage”he nevertheless continued, adding that he was “too early to talk about exact numbers” and that foreign contingents would only represent part of the security guarantees. “We believe that lasting and reliable security guarantees for Ukraine must include both Europe and the United States. This is how we will ensure a viable and lasting peace”he said.

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War in Ukraine: sanctions against Russia, attack on energy installations, need for 200,000 men… update on the situation

Russian attack

Russia bombed the town of Zaporizhia in southern Ukraine overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, killing one person and injuring 31, according to local authorities. More than 20,000 residents were deprived of electricity and 17,000 of heating following this massive attack, carried out using drones and missiles, said regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The city was first targeted by drones then by several ballistic missiles, he said, and the air alert continued for six hours.

Among the injured are a two-month-old infant as well as rescuers dispatched to the scene of the first raids, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social networks. One building was destroyed and around thirty others were damaged, according to Ivan Fedorov. The Ukrainian air force said 92 drones and four ballistic missiles were fired at this industrial town near the front line, located about 50 kilometers from the nuclear power plant of the same name, occupied by Russian forces. . Fifty-seven projectiles were shot down and 27 others lost their trajectory.

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Black gold price

US President Donald Trump on Thursday invited Saudi Arabia and OPEC to “lower the cost of oil”during an online speech to an audience of big bosses at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“I’m going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower the cost of oil. I’m frankly surprised that they didn’t do it before the election. Not doing it wasn’t really a good idea. a proof of love If the price was lower, the war in Ukraine would be over immediately.said Mr. Trump.