Moldova, nuclear, bombings … this Tuesday’s point

Moldova strengthens its defenses

Moldova on Tuesday announced measures to strengthen its security following a series of bombings in the separatist region of Transnistria, backed by Moscow. This raises fears that the current conflict in Ukraine could escalate. “It simply came to our notice then. We strongly condemn such acts. Moldovan authorities will take care to prevent the republic from being dragged into a conflict, ”Moldovan President Maya Chandu said after a meeting of the National Security Council.

On Tuesday, kyiv accused the Moscow Transnistrian region of seeking “instability”.

For their part, Paris and Washington have also reacted. France supports Moldova in the face of “risks of instability,” Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced, while US State Department spokesman Nate Price said Moscow was not responsible for the explosions, as kyiv does. He told reporters: “We are concerned about any possible attempt to increase tensions.”

Germany changes its mind

The Defense Minister announced on Tuesday that Germany would authorize the supply of “Cheetah” type armored vehicles to Ukraine, which is a major turning point in the cautious policy pursued so far in Berlin’s military support for kyiv.

Fifty tanks specializing in anti-aircraft defense must be decommissioned 10 years ago and subjected to technical upgrades. They do not come directly from the German army but from the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) armed group.

The European Union fears a nuclear catastrophe

The European Union (EU) has warned of a new nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine, 36 years after the Chernobyl eruption.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zhelensky has accused Russia of “putting the world on the brink of disaster” by occupying the Chernobyl power plant. “The world was once again on the brink of disaster because for the Russian military, the Chernobyl area and power plant were like normal territory for conducting military operations,” Zhelensky said.

Putin is not “serious” about the talks

US Secretary of State Anthony Blingen has said that Vladimir Putin did not show “seriousness” in his intention to negotiate with Ukraine to end the conflict. “We do not see any sign of President Putin being active in meaningful negotiations,” Blinken told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Guterres calls for a ceasefire

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during his first visit to Moscow since the start of the Russian offensive, called for a ceasefire in Ukraine “as soon as possible.” He called on Kiev and Moscow to work with the UN to open humanitarian routes. He further added that he was “concerned about repeated reports of war crimes in Ukraine” and called for an “independent inquiry”.

In the evening, during a meeting with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, he responded that he still hoped for a “positive outcome” in the talks with Ukraine. He said Negotiations between Moscow and Kiev in IstanbulIn March, “serious progress” was allowed.

A monthly meeting to help Kyiv

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced after a meeting with about 40 countries in Germany that the United States and its allies would meet monthly to discuss how to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities against Russia.

At least 9 civilians were killed in the shelling

At least nine civilians were killed Tuesday in Russian military bombings in eastern and southern Ukraine, according to reports released by local authorities.

5.3 million refugees