The day of the war at a glance: Putin celebrates annexations - NATO sees Russia's weakness in mobilization

A good seven months after the attack on Ukraine began, Russia annexed four areas in the east of the country.

The day of the war at a glance: Putin celebrates annexations - NATO sees Russia's weakness in mobilization

A good seven months after the attack on Ukraine began, Russia annexed four areas in the east of the country. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin signed the agreements that sealed the incorporation of the occupied regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Cherson. The annexations are not recognized internationally. In response to the annexations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he would apply for accelerated accession to NATO. Meanwhile, in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia, a civilian car convoy was fired at with rockets. According to Ukrainian and Russian sources, 30 people died. Both sides accused each other of attacking the convoy. The 219th day of the war at a glance.

Putin signs documents annexing Ukrainian territories

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the annexation of four areas in Ukraine, most of which are occupied by Russian troops. The people in Cherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhia are now Russian citizens - "forever". His country is ready to return to the negotiating table, he added. However, the areas now incorporated are not being discussed with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was opposed to resuming talks while Putin was in charge of the Kremlin.

Putin celebrates in Red Square

After the annexation, Putin celebrated his illegal actions on Red Square in Moscow. Thousands of people, some waving Russian flags, called on Putin to shout "Hurrah" - "so that they can hear the voice of Red Square thousands of kilometers away." With a view to the now annexed Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Cherson, Putin also said: "Russia is not only opening its doors, but also its heart. Welcome home!" He then sang the Russian anthem together with the four crew chiefs from the affected areas.

EU and Steinmeier: No recognition of illegal annexations

The heads of state and government of the EU countries rejected the Russian annexation as unlawful. A statement said: "These decisions are null and void and cannot have any legal effect." Russia is jeopardizing global security. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also condemned the sham referendums and annexations.

Stoltenberg sees Russia's threats as a weakness

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the annexations to Russia "illegal". "The NATO allies do not recognize any of these areas as part of Russia and will not do so in the future," said the Norwegian. He described the latest threats from Russia and the partial mobilization of troops as a signal of weakness. President Putin has mobilized hundreds of thousands more troops and engaged in irresponsible nuclear saber-rattling, he said. "None of it shows strength. It shows weakness." Stoltenberg stressed that this was an admission that the war was not going according to plan and that Putin had completely failed in his strategic goals. In the afternoon, Putin had increased fears of a nuclear attack by Russia. From now on, Russia wants to consider military strikes in annexed areas as attacks against its own territory. He repeated the threat to respond "with all available means".

US announces more sanctions against Russia

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia. The punitive measures are aimed at other Russian government officials, their family members and members of the military. The list includes hundreds of people - and companies too. President Joe Biden said: "The United States condemns today's fraudulent attempt by Russia to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory."

Ukraine applies for accelerated NATO accession

Regarding the application for accelerated NATO membership, Zelenskyy said: "In fact, we have already made our way into NATO. Today Ukraine is submitting the application so that it can also do so de jure." After Ukraine's request for admission, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg emphasized the alliance's open-door policy. "We have repeatedly said that NATO's door will remain open," said the Norwegian. In general, a prerequisite for joining NATO is that the candidate must not be involved in international conflicts and disputes about borders. Ukraine was invaded by Russia on February 24 and has been defending itself against the war of aggression ever since.

Finland's border closed to Russian tourists - Norway alarmed

Finland closed its border to Russian tourists on Friday night. As recordings by the Yle broadcaster showed, seven cars and a man on a bicycle made it across the border at the Vaalimaa border crossing at 0.02 a.m. Then the barrier fell down. For Finland, which shares a complex history with Russia, this was a historic moment. Norway announced that it would monitor its border with Russia more closely.

30 killed when civilian car convoy fired on

According to Ukrainian sources, 30 people were killed in a rocket attack on a civilian car convoy in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia. Another 88 people were injured, the police said. The governor of the Zaporizhia regional administration, Olexander Starukh, blamed Russian troops for the attack. The information cannot be verified independently. A crater could be seen in pictures next to damaged cars. People lay in pools of blood next to the vehicles, others sat slumped behind the wheel - the dead were covered with makeshift cloths. Helpers tried to calm a woman in tears, as shown on a recording. On the other hand, the head of the Russian occupation administration for the Zaporizhia region, Vladimir Rogov, accused Ukrainian troops of shelling the convoy on his Telegram channel.

Baltic Sea explosions corresponded to "explosive charges of several 100 kilos"

According to Danish and Swedish experts, the leaks in the Nord Stream gas pipelines were caused by underwater explosions with "probably an explosive charge of several hundred kilograms". The two Scandinavian countries reported this to the US Security Council before the emergency debate.

EU agrees on skimming off profits against high energy prices

In view of the high energy prices, the EU countries have agreed on European emergency measures to save electricity and finance relief. The ministers agreed that energy companies will in future have to hand over part of their crisis profits to the state, as announced by the Czech Council Presidency. This money is intended to relieve consumers. The agreement has yet to be formally confirmed.

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