On Sunday, Washington announced that it had authorized the use of American long-range missiles by Ukraine in Russia. On Monday, the Kremlin declared that this announcement was likely to “add fuel to the fire”.. At Russiaa member of parliament stated that this use “won’t change a thing”. to the conduct of Russian combat. Le Figaro takes stock.

Biden throws “oil on the fire” by authorizing missile launches in Russia

The authorization given to Kiev by Joe Biden to use U.S. long-range missiles on Russian territory, is likely to “add fuel to the fire”. in the conflict in Ukrainesaid Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday.

If officially confirmed by Washington, this authorization would lead to “a fundamentally new situation in terms of U.S. involvement in this conflict.”the spokesman warned. The decision was announced by the American media and confirmed to AFP by an American official.

”
data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js”
>

US authorization of long-range missiles “won’t change a thing”

Washington authorizes Kiev to use US long-range missiles to strike Russia “will change nothing” to Moscow’s conduct of its battles with Ukraine, a Russian MP warned on Monday. “This will not change the course of the operation, absolutely not. We will continue to carry out our missions as we have always done.”Andrei Kartapolov, Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Lower House of the Russian Parliament, told the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti. “This factor will of course be taken into account, but the objectives set by” Vladimir Putin in Ukraine “will be reached”he continued.

“Preventing planes from taking off”.

A U.S. official confirmed to AFP on Sunday evening that U.S. media had reported that Joe Biden had given this authorization to Kiev. In September, Vladimir Putin had warned that such a Western green light “would mean nothing less than the direct involvement of Nato countries in the war in Ukraine.”. Andrei Kartapolov explained that countering these missiles would require “prevent planes from taking off”.. “We are actively focusing on this task, intensively targeting airfield infrastructure. This is a priority, because if a plane doesn’t take off, the missile won’t be launched.”he stressed.

Although the Ukrainians “say they want to strike military targets, they often hit towns and populated areas, which poses a real danger.”he continued. Russian President Vladimir Putin “has already indicated what this would mean for our Western partners”he added. “Nevertheless, this is an unprecedented move. It’s a very important step towards the start of World War III, and the Americans will be doing it under the leadership of an old man on his way out, who won’t be in charge of anything in two months’ time.”Vladimir Jabarov, another parliamentarian, warned that “Russia’s response will be immediate”..

At least 8 dead in Russian missile attack on Odessa

Russia struck the port city ofOdessain the south of Ukraine, using one or more missiles, killing “at least eight deadannounced the region’s governor, Oleg Kiper.

“Russian terrorists launched a missile attack against Odessa. Civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, was damaged.”he wrote midday on Telegram, before adding that “the Russian attack left 8 dead and 18 wounded. A child is among the wounded. Four people are in serious condition”.

Unesco condemns strikes on Odessa World Heritage site

L’Unesco has condemned “a large-scale Russian attack” which hit the historic center of Odessa (South), on the World Heritage in Danger list. “On the night of Thursday November 14 to Friday November 15, a large-scale Russian attack targeted the historic center of Odessa, protected since January 2023 under the Unesco World Heritage Convention.”deplored the organization.UN dedicated to science, culture and education, in a press release.

A preliminary assessment shows damage to “around twenty buildings, including historic and religious buildings, and some educational buildings”regretted Unesco, which indicated that “condemn these “strikes which contravene international law”. and “express support for the victims. A mission of Unesco experts went to the site on Saturday to “assess the damage and prepare the safety of the buildings”..

EU strengthens sanctions against Iran for its support of Russia

L’European Union announced that it had strengthened its sanctions againstIran accused of supporting Russia’s war effort against Ukraine by supplying it with drones and missiles.

“These additional measures target the use of ships and ports for the transfer of drones, Iranian-made missiles and related technologies.” to the manufacture of these weapons, the 27 said in a statement.

Italy refuses to allow Kiev to use its weapons outside its territory

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Brussels reaffirmed Italy’s position on arms supplies to Ukraine, which according to Rome “can only be used inside Ukrainian territory”.. “Our position on the use of weapons by Ukraine does not change, they can only be used inside Ukrainian territory.”said the Minister on the sidelines of a meeting of EU heads of diplomacy.

Antonio Tajani also declared “in favor of a peace conference attended by the Russians, Chinese, Indians and Brazilians”.. “I hope that Beijing can play a positive role in making Moscow understand that this senseless war must be stopped.”he added, before asserting that “the presence of North Korean soldiers is not a good signal”..

France reaffirms that the use of its missiles on Russian soil remains an “option”.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed that the use of French missiles by Ukrainian forces on Russian soil remained a serious matter. “an option”..

“You heard the president (Emmanuel) Macron in Meseberg (Germany) on May 25, where we openly said that this was an option we would consider, if we were to authorize strikes on targets from which the Russians are attacking Ukrainian territory.”he said. “So, nothing new under the sun”he concluded in English, on his arrival in Brussels for a meeting of foreign ministers.

Boris Johnson calls on Paris and London to authorize long-range missiles against Russia

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on Paris and London to allow Ukraine to use the long-range missiles they have ceded it to target Russian territory on Monday, following the lead of the United States. “We should have done it 18 months ago”.said Boris Johnson, commenting on Washington’s belated U-turn.

“Our French and British governments must say today that we are giving permission to use (French long-range missiles). Scalp (…) and (equivalent British missiles) Storm Shadow (…) against Russian bases on Russian territory”.said Boris Johnson, speaking in French on radio France Inter. While Donald Trump intends to end the war in Ukraine soon after he takes office on January 20, Boris Johnson said it would be a “mistake” for him to do so. “humiliation” for the West if the American president-elect began his term by agreeing to a peace for Ukraine on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s terms.

“I wonder how a guy like Donald J. Trump can inaugurate his term in office with a capitulation, with a humiliation for the West, for theNato and for himself, if he gave Putin the opportunity to defeat Ukraine.”he commented. Peace on the Kremlin’s terms “would be a disaster for the world, for Europe and of course for America”. as Vladimir Putin would then remain “in a position to threaten the rest of Ukraine in perpetuity.”he added. Boris Johnson believes that a peace agreement must be accompanied by security guarantees for Kiev. “We absolutely must give clarity to the Ukrainians. Because the problem with Ukraine is that we don’t know what it is: is it a buffer country or is it part of the West?”he concluded.

China calls for peace in Ukraine, after Washington’s authorization

The China on Monday called once again for peace in Ukrainewhich has been authorized by Washington, according to a US official, to strike Russian territory with US-supplied long-range missiles.

“The most urgent thing is to encourage a calming of the situation as quickly as possible.”Lin Jian, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told a regular press conference, calling for a “rapid and effective response” to the situation. “rapid ceasefire and a political solution”.

”
data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js”
>

Russian army claims another village in Pokrovsk area

The Russian army continues its advance in eastern Ukraine, claiming the conquest of a new village south of the town of Pokrovska key logistical hub for Ukrainian forces facing increasing difficulties on the battlefield.

“Thanks to decisive actions, units of the -Central- troop group have liberated the village of Novooleksiivka.”said the Russian Defense Ministry in its daily statement. Novooleksiivka is located about 15 kilometers south of Pokrovsk.

Russia claims to have shot down 59 Ukrainian drones

The Russian Defense Ministry announced Monday morning that it had shot down 59 drones Ukrainian drones, especially over the Ukrainian border regions and in the Moscow area. “Overnight, attempts by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks with aerial drones against sites on Russian territory were prevented.”said the Ministry in a statement. “Air defense systems destroyed 59 Ukrainian drones”he added.

The majority of the drones were neutralized over the Bryansk (45), Kursk (6) and Belgorod (3) regions, all three of which border Ukraine, according to the same source. Three drones were shot down over the Tula region, south of the Russian capital, and two over the Moscow region, the statement added.

According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, one of the drones shot down in the Moscow region crashed in the Ramenskoye district, causing no damage or injuries. The second was neutralized in the Pavlovo-Possad district, he said on Telegram. Russia announces on an almost daily basis that it has destroyed Ukrainian drones launched against its territory, albeit in generally smaller numbers. Kiev claims to be carrying out these strikes, which often target energy sites, in response to Russian bombardments on its territory.

”
data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js”
>