Paris Rally and Energy Disputes Intensify as Ukraine War Nears Fourth Anniversary
In a powerful display of solidarity, approximately 2,000 demonstrators marched through Paris on Saturday, moving from Place de la République to Place de la Bastille to express unwavering support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. The protest, held just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, featured chants such as "We support Ukraine against Putin, who is killing it" and calls for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets, which protesters argued rightfully belong to Ukraine.
Diplomatic Tensions Over Energy Supplies
Meanwhile, Ukraine's foreign ministry has strongly condemned what it describes as "ultimatums and blackmail" from Hungary and Slovakia. Both nations have threatened to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine unless Kyiv resumes flows of Russian oil, with Hungary also warning it may block a €90 billion Ukrainian war loan. This dispute stems from a cutoff of Russian oil shipments since January 27, following a reported Russian drone strike on pipeline equipment in western Ukraine. Hungary and Slovakia, the only EU countries still heavily reliant on Russian oil via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine, accuse Kyiv of delaying the restart without providing evidence.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting these demands, asserting that "ultimatums should be sent to the Kremlin, and certainly not to Kyiv." This conflict highlights growing rifts within Europe, as Hungary and Slovakia, both EU and NATO members, have diverged from the largely pro-Ukrainian consensus by maintaining ties with Moscow. Slovak leader Robert Fico has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of acting "maliciously" towards his country.
Violence and Military Developments
In a tragic incident, explosions in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv killed a policewoman and wounded at least 15 people overnight, with local authorities labeling it an "act of terror." The blasts occurred after police responded to a break-in report at a shop in the city center around 12:30 am, with a first explosion striking the initial patrol and a second following moments later. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy confirmed the casualties on Facebook, noting that some victims are in serious condition.
On the military front, Ukraine reported a strike using Ukrainian-made FP-5 "Flamingo" cruise missiles against the Votkinsk plant in Russia's Udmurt Republic, wounding 11 people, according to Russian officials. Unofficial Russian Telegram channels corroborated the attack, which led to flight suspensions at nearby airports. Ukraine also claimed a strike on a gas plant in Samara, Russia.
Political Calls and Peace Efforts
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the UK and European allies to deploy noncombat troops to Ukraine in peaceful regions to demonstrate Western commitment to the nation's freedom and independence. In an interview with the BBC ahead of the invasion anniversary, Johnson emphasized that such a move would send a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
European Parliament member Raphael Glucksmann, speaking to Agence France-Presse, noted "massive" public support for Ukraine in France but warned of rising "sounds of giving up" within the French political class, particularly from far-left and far-right factions advocating capitulation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed optimism, stating that "real opportunities to end war with dignity still exist" and calling for another round of peace talks, potentially as early as this February. After being debriefed on recent discussions with Russia and the US in Geneva, Zelenskyy hinted at a leaders' meeting involving figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, asserting that Ukraine is prepared for such high-level negotiations to address critical issues.
