Ukraine: Zelensky calls for demonstrations against the Russian invasion, diplomatic marathon in Brussels

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a fiery call for citizens around the world to demonstrate against the Russian invasion of his country, a month to the day after the outbreak of war and hours before a series of summits in Brussels on Thursday between Western leaders. "Go ahead with Ukrainian symbols to defend Ukraine, to defend freedom, to defend life!" Said Mr. Zelensky overnight from Wednesday to Thursday via a video message in English. "Meet in the squares, in the street, show yourself and make yourself heard!"

"Speak out, demonstrate from your offices, your homes, your schools and your universities, demonstrate in the name of peace!" Hammered the president. "The world must stop the war". As the Russian invasion enters its second month, three summits - NATO, G7 and the European Union - await Western heads of state and government in Brussels in a single day. According to the White House, it will above all be a question of consolidating the arsenal of sanctions already taken, to avoid attempts to circumvent Moscow, and to strengthen NATO's position in Eastern Europe over the long term.

“What we would like to hear is that this shared firmness that we have seen over the last month will last as long as it takes,” said Jake Sullivan, national security adviser to US President Joe Biden, who arrived in the city on Wednesday evening. Belgian capital and who is then due to travel to Poland on Friday.

The UN will again "demand" from Russia an "immediate" end to the war in Ukraine

The UN General Assembly of 193 states is expected to adopt a new resolution on Thursday that will "demand" from Russia an "immediate" end to the war in Ukraine. At the same time, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday evening rejected a resolution presented by Moscow on the "humanitarian situation" in its neighbor which it attacked on February 24. On March 2, in a vote described as “historic” by the General Assembly, 141 countries had approved a non-binding resolution which “demands that Russia immediately stop using force against Ukraine” . Five states, including Russia, voted against and 35 abstained.

All day Wednesday, the Assembly, again meeting in special emergency session, debated a resolution presented by Ukraine, supported by 88 countries and which had been initially prepared by France and Mexico to be submitted to the Security Council. This text, consulted by AFP, "demands an immediate cessation of hostilities by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in particular of all attacks against civilians and civilian objects". The resolution "reiterates (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for the Russian Federation to halt its military offensive, as well as his call for a ceasefire and resumption of the path of dialogue and negotiations".

Tennis: Barty retires from the WTA, Swiatek well placed to become world N.1

World tennis No.1 Ashleigh Barty announced Thursday her withdrawal from the WTA rankings the day after her decision to take early retirement, paving the way for Poland's Iga Swiatek to seize the world crown. Swiatek, 20, is 2,204 points behind the Australian, but she could become No.1 depending on the results of the Miami Open. Swiatek is currently 691 points clear of third-placed Maria Sakkari of Greece. The Pole won Indian Wells last week, her second title in as many tournaments after her triumph in Doha in February.

Barty, who has won three Grand Slam tournaments (Roland-Garros 2019, Wimbledon 2021, Australian Open 2022), had been at the top of the WTA rankings since September 2019. On Wednesday, she created a surprise by announcing that she was taking her retirement, at only 25 years old, explaining that she had realized her dreams and was "absolutely exhausted". "In the next ranking, my name will be removed from the list," said the Australian player at a press conference in Brisbane, the day after the announcement of her early retirement.

IN SHORT

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