Kiev is preparing for the fall of Mariupol and the Russian offensive in the east

On the 47th day of the war in Ukraine, the eastern part of the country is expecting a major offensive by the Russian military. The Ukrainian military says it is preparing for the final battle in the already devastated port of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine. French genders are in Lviv to investigate war crimes.

Essential

• Ukrainian military says it expects a Russian offensive in the east ‘very soon’, preparing for ‘final war’ in Mariupol
• The Austrian president, who visited Moscow, said he was a “pessimist.”
• EU foreign ministers face new sanctions
• French gendarmes arrived in Lviv to investigate war crimes
• The Society General announced his withdrawal from Russia
• Ask: Daily podcast Radio from France on the situation in Ukraine

The situation on the military front

Ukrainian army prepares for ‘final battle’ at Mariupol port

The Ukrainian military says it is preparing “One last war“In the devastated and besieged port of Mariupol in the southeast of the country. “Our ammunition is depleted, which is death for some of us and imprisonment for some.” He wrote on Facebook of the 36th Regiment of the National Navy, which is part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The leader of the pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk said in the afternoon that his forces had completely captured the port area of ​​the city.

Tens of thousands of deaths in Mariupol?

Many tens of thousands of people may have been killed In the Russian attack Against Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zhelensky. “Destroyed like Mariou, tens of thousands killed, but the Russians did not stop their offensive beyond that.”Lamented in front of South Korean lawmakers.

Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine ‘imminent’

Eastern Ukraine is therefore anticipating a massive offensive by the Russian military. “According to our information, the enemy has almost finished preparing for an attack in the east. The attack will take place very soon.”, A spokesman for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Oleksandre Motouzianik warned at a press conference. Part of the region has already been controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, and Russian authorities have shifted full control of the region to their new purpose.

Russian victory in Donbass before May 9?

Analysts believe that President Vladimir Putin wants to get A victory in the Donbass before the military parade on May 9, It marks the Soviet victory over the Nazis in 1945 in Red Square.

Diplomatic situation and international reactions

He met with Austrian President Putin and called him a ‘pessimist’

Austrian President Carl Neummer said he was in Moscow on Monday for talks with Vladimir Putin. “Disbelief”: “We must not have illusions. President Putin has largely entered into the logic of war, and he is acting accordingly.” In the hope of registering “A military victory” Fast, he added. He is a The first leader of Europe To visit the Russian capital from the beginning of the war.

French genders in Lviv to investigate war crimes

The French Gentlemen arrived liveIn the west of the country, to help their Ukrainian counterparts “In the investigation of war crimes around Kiev“, Announced the French ambassador to Ukraine on Monday “First” Foreign unit “To provide such assistance”Said the ambassador.

Funds have been allocated for this survey. Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have agreed to provide about 2.5 million euros in assistance to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged war crimes in Ukraine. “In order to solve these crimes, it is now important to protect all the evidence.”German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbach said.

Russian-backed struggles in Germany

Many Controversial pro-Russian rallies It took place this weekend at the initiative of a large Russian-speaking community in Germany. Its members consider themselves victims of discrimination since the beginning of the war. About 800 people gathered in Frankfurt on Sunday under Russian tricolor flags. There were 600 in Hanover, north of the country. On Saturday, protests with 150 participants took place in L லbeck in the north and in Stuttgart (southwest), according to police.

New meeting of EU Foreign Ministers

EU ministers meet in Luxembourg on Monday to discuss the sixth embargo against Russia. They agreedIncrease arms supply to Ukraine.

The first five sets of European sanctions, including the embargo on Russia’s coal, were unanimously adopted by twenty – seven, but it is difficult to find a consensus, especially on the Russian gas issue, which most ministers would like to do without. , But of which Germany, Austria, Italy and Hungary are still the most dependent.

France expels six Russian spies ‘under diplomatic cover’

Six agents of Russian intelligence were in France under the diplomatic cover “Non-Notified Person Grota”, Quai d’Orsay announced in a press release. Functions of these six agents “Proven to be against our national interests”.

World trade growth could be halved

According to an analysis by the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the war in Ukraine will halve the growth of world trade. According to the study, global trade growth should be between 2.4% and 3%. In October, the WTO expects a 4.7% increase.

Society General withdraws from Russia

The Society General has announced the termination of its operations in Russia. By selling its entire stake in Rosebank, it had a majority stake in it. The French bank, which is the most involved in the country, reported 18.6 billion euros, including 15.4 billion from Rosbank, a heavyweight in the Russian banking sector.

Humanitarian situation and solidarity with the Ukrainians

More than 4.5 million refugees

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 4.5 million Ukrainian refugees have fled the country since the war began. 90% of those who left Ukraine were women and children, and men of military age were not allowed to leave by Ukrainian authorities. The UN estimates that the number of internally displaced persons is 7.1 million.