Ukraine: explosive situation, Paris and Berlin repatriate their nationals

Ukrainian soldiers on exercise Friday, February 18, 2022 as tension is at its height between Ukraine and Russia.

© UKRAINIAN AIR ASSAULT FORCES/REUTERS

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6 mins

There is no diplomatic outcome on the horizon in the conflict over Ukraine.

Proof that the concern is real, Paris and Berlin have called on their nationals to leave the country, even if Germany is tempered by the alarmism of the United States.

RFI takes stock.

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“

 This travel advice was published on Saturday afternoon on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris.

The French who find themselves "

[divisions administratifs, NDLR]

 ", as well as in the Dnipro region, near Russia, are " 

 ", insists the Quai d 'Orsay.

The pressure therefore rises a notch for the French in Ukraine.

So far, Paris had simply advised to "

" in the country.

This announcement came just minutes after a similar call from Germany: Berlin is asking its nationals to leave

Ukraine “

The Lufthansa company is also suspending its flights to the capital Kiev, and to Odessa in the south, from Monday.

This weekend, a few last planes will still take off from the two cities, in particular to allow expatriates to leave.

" 

 ," said a Lufthansa spokesperson.

For the time being, Air France is still maintaining its flights, but the company says it is " 

 ".

Kiev and Berlin more measured than Washington

The Ukrainian government said on Saturday it was "

", as the United States said it was convinced that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine imminently.

But despite the request to its nationals to leave the area, Germany distances itself from American positions on the risk of invasion.

" 

" what will happen, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Munich.

The purpose of this

on security was however, precisely, to coordinate the Western camp vis-à-vis Moscow.

The day before, US President Joe Biden had said, for the first time, "

" that Vladimir Putin

" 

".

Asked several times about the American assertions, the German minister contented herself with replying: “ 

 »

"

," added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a little later, before an audience of diplomats and experts from around the world gathered in Munich, where he had finally decided to go this Saturday. .

The Ukrainian president, for his part, avoided going too far on the American assertions: “

 ,” he said.

While saying he was "

" for the information shared by Washington, he said he trusted first and foremost "

 ".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference, Saturday February 19, 2022. REUTERS - ANDREAS GEBERT

Zelensky wants a safe Ukraine

The Ukrainian president had decided to maintain his trip to Germany while Joe Biden had wondered on Friday if he was " 

 ", this is the word he had used, that Mr. Zelensky was absent from his country in this tense context.

In Munich, Volodymyr Zelensky urged Westerners to end their “

” policy vis-à-vis Moscow and to increase their military aid to Kiev.

Above all, he also demanded a "

" for his country's possible accession to NATO, while Moscow urged the West never to accept Kiev within the Atlantic Alliance, and to withdraw their troops from Eastern Europe.

Ukrainian President:

We appreciate any help, but everyone must understand: it is not charitable contributions that Ukraine should ask for [...] It is your contribution to the security of Europe and the world.

Where Ukraine has been the shield for eight years

Mr Zelensky was referring to the armed conflict in the east of his country, with pro-Russian separatists backed by Moscow, which began in 2014, after the annexation of Crimea by Russia, and which continues today .

The conflict left more than 14,000 dead and 1.5 million displaced.

And to propose, for the sake of balance, a meeting with his counterpart Vladimir Putin: " 

 ," he said.

Scheduled discussions, against the background of shootings

French President Emmanuel Macron must also speak on Sunday at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. UT) on the phone with his Russian counterpart to try " 

 ", said the Elysee.

The fact that the meeting of Russian and American foreign ministers in Geneva next week has not been canceled is also a signal that it is still possible to avoid a tipping point into a full-fledged conflict.

►Also listen: In Chernihiv, the population remains calm despite the Russian threat

Faced with threats from Ukraine to join NATO, Russia has made proposals to guarantee its security: neutrality of Ukraine and return of NATO to its 1997 configuration to simplify.

Maximalist proposals which are under discussion between Moscow, Washington and its European partners, recalls our correspondent in Moscow.

The impact of a ballistic shot carried out in Belarus as part of joint training between Ukrainian and Russian forces, this Saturday, February 19.

© Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/AP

During the day, President Putin decided to make a show of force with maneuvers and firing cruise and ballistic missiles, while tension is at its height.

The opportunity also for Vladimir Putin to present himself as a warlord and to show that he will defend what Russia considers to be its national interest.

►Also read: General mobilization in Donetsk and Lugansk, two soldiers killed

And with agencies

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