Headlines: Russia's further step towards war
Audio 04:26
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 21, 2022 © ALEXEY NIKOLSKY / SPUTNIK / AFP
By: Anne Cantener Follow
4 mins
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"
Putin formalizes the dismemberment of Ukraine
", headlines
L'Orient le jour
.
"
Like fuel on the fire
," commented the Canadian newspaper
Le Devoir
.
Russia therefore recognizes the independence of the two pro-Russian territories in the Ukrainian region of Donbass and its president asks the Russian army to enter them to ensure peace.
The question that can be read on the front page of German newspapers is: “
Where does the invasion start for Biden?
Or again: "
Is it now?"
".
On the answer to this question depend the sanctions imposed by the United States and the Europeans on Moscow.
For the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
, everyone is still trying to leave a door open for Vladimir Putin.
Until when ?
We do not know, but the newspaper specifies that "
the response will be seen as an indicator of the unity and determination that the Western allies have always affirmed in recent weeks
".
Le Soir
en Belgique no longer believes in discussions and sees in yesterday's declarations “
a brutal end to the diplomatic scenario
”.
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot, quoted by
The Australian
, is of much the same opinion.
For him, the West has already failed.
“
Whatever this episode turns out to be, let's have no illusions.
Vladimir Putin sees himself as the new Tsar, a ruler for life, determined to restore a greater Russia.
To that end, he invaded Georgia, annexed Crimea, occupied Donbass, unscrupulously killed opponents at home and abroad, and made Russia a military superpower despite having a smaller economy than Russia's. Italy.
»
Civilians in Donbass and the consequences of the war
The special correspondent of the Spanish newspaper
El Pais
recounts the arrival at the farm of a farm worker.
“
At the entrance, in the mud, a chasm awaited him.
A mortar round shattered the metal fence.
The windows are no longer
glazed
.
“
Fortunately, I didn't spend the night here
,
”
says the 48-year-old worker.
The shells knocked down power lines and damaged pipes.
So to avoid being completely deprived of electricity, refrigerator or heating, residents of the village of Krasnogorivka try to repair the transformer themselves using a tractor.
Fighting intensifies in areas controlled by separatists.
Areas therefore recognized as independent by the Russian president yesterday.
The Guardian
's Eastern Europe correspondent
recounts in a long article the surreal meeting that preceded Vladimir Putin's announcement yesterday in Moscow.
“
The supreme leader has gathered his subordinates.
Sitting alone at his desk in a large columned hall in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin looks at his security council across an expanse of parquet and asks if anyone wishes to express a different opinion
.
Silence in the room, then the president questions one by one the members of the council.
The Guardian
reporter
recounts how “
Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's spy service, known for his aggressive statements against the West, stuttered uncomfortably when Putin asked him if he supported the decision.
"Speak directly!"
Putin got angry, twice.
Eventually, when he was able to get his words out, Naryshkin said he was in favor of
[the Donetsk and Lugansk republics]
“being part of Russia.”
Mr. Putin replied that it was not the subject of the discussion, that it was only a question of recognition
”.
An "
absurd and angry spectacle
",
The Guardian
.
For another major British daily,
the
Times
, this pompous meeting and the “
rambling speech
” that followed for an hour showed “
the isolation of Vladimir Putin
”, who is nicknamed by some Russians “
the old man in the bunker
” .
because he spent most of the pandemic confined to his second home.
Covid: encouraging studies
Since we are talking about it, the Covid is the other big subject that is making the headlines.
The
New York Times
publishes the results of several encouraging studies about vaccines.
Unless particularly at risk, no need for a fourth dose.
Studies show that three injections prevent "
serious forms and death
" for several months and perhaps even several years.
These results should reassure London, where most health measures have been lifted.
The decision inspires the
South China Morning Post
, which pokes fun at Boris Johnson in a cartoon.
We see the very small Prime Minister facing a giant virus, triumphant, hands on hips.
Boris Johnson waves a white flag on which we can read: “
living with the Covid
”.
The Prime Minister justifies himself, scowling, “
this is not a surrender, it is a restoration of freedom
.
»
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