Putin’s goal would be to demilitarize the attacked country not to invade it. The stock exchanges are sinking, starting with that of Moscow
ROME. Eventually the feared Russian attack on Ukraine it clicked. When it was almost 6 in Moscow, Putin on TV with a message that according to the Guardian had already been recorded a week ago, announced the green light for operations. Putin called the attack on Ukraine a “special military operation to protect the Donbass”, adding that the goal “is not to invade the country but to demilitarize it” and clarifying that “a further expansion of NATO and its use of Ukrainian territory are unacceptable. Anyone who tries to create obstacles and interfere with us know that Russia will respond with consequences never seen before. We are prepared for anything. I hope to be heard ».
Strong explosions were warned in Ukrainian cities a Odessa, Harvik, Mariupol, Leopoli and in the capital Kiev, where the Russians allegedly attempted to take control of the airport. Navigation blocked in mare d’Azov. Russian forces – marked with the ‘Z’ mark – would have entered Ukraine from numerous points on the border, including from Belarus e Crimea. The Russian defense ministry announced: Ukrainian “air defenses destroyed”, Kiev has made it known that it has shot down five Russian planes and a helicopter and claims to have “killed 50 occupants”.
Belarusian President Lukashenko summoned the heads of the armed forces, but made it clear that the troops of Minsk they do not participate in the invasion. However, the Russian military is also entering Ukraine from Belarus and Crimea. Panic broke out immediately among the civilian population who are trying to leave the cities. In Kiev queues have formed in front of petrol stations and traffic is “intense” especially in the suburbs, with long columns of cars stopped trying to get away from the center. An eyewitness told ANSA: «They are evacuating us from the offices. For now we are in Kiev, then we’ll see ». Set martial law in the country.
The response of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a tweet was very harsh. In a tweet he asked to «stop Putin and the war against Ukraine and the world. Building an anti-Putin coalition. Immediate sanctions and support for Ukraine ». The Ukrainian leader also urged the army to “inflict maximum losses” on Russian forces. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba assured that «Ukraine will defend itself and win. The world can and must stop Putin: the time to act is now ».
The condemnation of the West is compacted. For US President Biden, who phoned Zelensky and announced new harsh sanctions against Moscow together with his allies, “Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will lead to a catastrophic loss of life and suffering”. British Prime Minister Johnson spoke of “the darkest hour”, admonishing that “Gb and the West will not stand by”. French President Macron called for “an immediate end” to Russian operations, while for the German Foreign Minister Baerbock “today we woke up in another world. We are speechless, but we are not helpless ». The president of the EU Commission Von der leyen, the president of the European Council Michel promise: «The EU will provide further political, financial and humanitarian assistance in Kiev. We will present a package of extensive sanctions today, we will weaken the Russian economy ». “We will adopt the toughest package of measures ever adopted,” adds EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Borrell. Today meeting of the EU Council and the G7.
OSCE alarm: “Serious risk to the lives of millions of people”. “It is the saddest moment of my mandate as UN secretary general. This war makes no sense and violates the principles of the UN Charter ”, commented in turn the number one of the United Nations Guterres. NATO has instead called an urgent meeting of ambassadors and Secretary General Stoltenberg reaffirmed that he will do “whatever is necessary to protect his allies”. On the other hand, China’s reaction was very cautious, Foreign Minister Hua Chunying rejected “the preconceived use of words” regarding the term “invasion”. From Italy, a united front for politics against Moscow’s move. Prime Minister Draghi called the Russian attack «unjustified and unjustifiable. We are working with our European and NATO allies to respond immediately, with unity and determination ». Di Maio has called the crisis unit and speaks of “very serious and unjustified aggression”.
The Farnesina summoned the Russian ambassador, the Interministerial Committee for the Security of the Republic met at Palazzo Chigi. Unanimous condemnations also from the parties, Letta asked for “unambiguous condemnation of the attack on Ukraine”. Salvini assured “support for Draghi for a joint response from the allies”, while the League returns to Copasir meetings. Meloni spoke of an “unacceptable war attack” and maintains that “it is time for the choices of the field”. The repercussions on the markets are also inevitable: gas prices soar (+ 25.5% to 111.5 euros per megawatt hour, after a maximum of + 41% at 125 euros) and oil prices, with Brent exceeding $ 103 per barrel . With the stock exchanges peaking, Milan at -3.5%, the spread flies to 176 basis points. Moscow collapses to -45%, 180 billion in capitalization burned. Gold rises to its highest levels in a year: + 1%, at 1,928.80 dollars an ounce, bitcoin collapses. (HANDLE).