France prepares its withdrawal from Mali
Under pressure from the junta in power in Bamako, Paris and its European partners are preparing to announce their withdrawal from Mali, while preparing the outlines of the future French regional military system, while jihadist groups retain their power of nuisance in the Sahel and threaten the countries of the Gulf of Guinea. According to several concordant sources, President Emmanuel Macron is to announce Wednesday evening or Thursday a withdrawal from Mali of French forces from Operation Barkhane on the sidelines of a European Union - African Union summit scheduled for Brussels. Symbol of a Europe of defense dear to the French president, the European group of special forces Takuba initiated by Paris in 2020 to share the security burden, should also leave the country and will dissolve.
Space Europe gathered in Toulouse
European space ministers are meeting in Toulouse on Wednesday to clarify the EU's space ambitions, including a constellation of secure communications satellites and the management of space debris. These two subjects will be at the heart of the so-called informal meeting of the ministers of the European Union, under the chairmanship of the French Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire. It will be followed by a working lunch devoted to space exploration and climate change.
Ukraine celebrates 'Unity Day', Biden keeps pressure on Moscow
Ukraine celebrates a "Day of Unity" on Wednesday at the call of its President Volodymyr Zelensky, the immediate risks of war seeming to be receding but Washington once again warning that a devastating Russian attack remained possible. The Ukrainian head of state chose the date of this great display of patriotism in reaction to reports from American intelligence services suggesting that the Russian invasion of the country, feared by Westerners for months, could take place on February 16 . Intense diplomatic negotiations have been underway for days in an attempt to reduce the tension caused by the deployment of tens of thousands of Russian troops along Ukraine's borders. On Tuesday, hope emerged with the announcement by Moscow of the partial withdrawal of its soldiers, the day of the visit to the country of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Such a withdrawal “would be positive” but still needs to be verified, US President Joe Biden later qualified in a brief speech.
IN SHORT
Ten sailors died and 11 are still missing after a Spanish trawler sank off Canada in the Atlantic, and hopes of finding survivors dwindled as night fell.
A last-minute exploit by Kylian Mbappé allowed Paris SG to win a deserved success against Real Madrid (1-0) on Tuesday, in a Champions League round of 16 first leg, also marked by Lionel's missed penalty Messi.