Ukraine, missiles still on Kiev. Zelensky: “I’m staying here”

It is the second day of the war in Ukraine. Warning sirens sounded again in Kiev around 6.30am in Italy and local authorities urged residents to hide in air raid shelters. The capital was again hit by Russian missiles and the Ukrainian anti-aircraft unit reportedly shot down an aircraft. “Enemy forces have entered Kiev but I am staying here,” said President Zelensky, adding that so far 137 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 316 injured. Russian forces “have already lost around 800 men,” according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. An airport in the northwest of the country was also bombed.

Pacifist Medvedev

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The next n. 1 in the world of tennis, Daniil Medvedev, has lined up for peace. “As tennis players we promote peace around the world. I have been to many different countries since I was a junior and it is not easy for me to hear all this news. I am for peace ”. This was said by the Russian tennis player, Daniil Medvedev, the new world number one speaking from the Acapulco tournament in Mexico. Medvedev noted that in last week’s tournament in Marseille the victory in the doubles went to a Russian tennis player, Andrey Rublev, paired with a Ukrainian, Denys Molchanov. “It was fantastic – he says – because people need to be together”.

The sanctions

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This afternoon the EU Foreign Affairs Council will meet to give the green light to the package of sanctions “which impose massive and severe consequences for Russia”: from the financial sector to energy, from transport to exports; there should be no gas measures. We will hit “70% of the Russian financial market”, says Von der Leyen. Scondo Macron is “useful to leave the path of dialogue open”.

The NATO summit

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Biden will participate today in an extraordinary virtual summit with the leaders of NATO countries to take stock of the situation regarding Russia’s attack on Ukraine. “There is a complete break in relations” between Washington and Moscow, the US president said yesterday announcing new sanctions and a ban on technological exports to punish Russia. The G7 also harshly condemns Moscow and points the finger at Putin.

In Italy

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A military aggression in Europe “unjustifiable” and to which we must “react strongly” with very harsh sanctions: Italy is traveling compactly towards the response to Russia, assure Draghi and Mattarella. The hesitations seem to have disappeared even in the government majority. A briefing by the premier in Parliament is scheduled this morning.

The bag

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Russia’s war in Ukraine is costing European stock exchanges dearly, which yesterday recorded losses between 3 and 4%. Closing up instead for Wall Street. There was a positive opening for Asian markets this morning. Gas prices are flying, with a growth of over 50%. Oil and wheat rise more cautiously.