C within the air – Gasoline pipeline: sabotage… And escalation in streaming – Replay France 5

93.11% in Zaporizhia, 87.05% in Kherson, 98.42% in Lugansk, 99.23% in Donetsk. Unsurprisingly, Moscow introduced on Tuesday that the “sure” vote largely prevailed within the referendums for the annexation of those 4 Ukrainian areas. A outcome swept away with the again of the hand by the worldwide neighborhood, a lot the puppet and unlawful character is clear. “A masquerade,” commented French International Minister Catherine Colonna. For his half, President Zelensky affirmed that his nation “will act to defend its folks” within the occupied areas. The Head of State additionally thought-about it inconceivable to barter with Moscow after these referendums.

In the meantime, leaks all of the sudden occurred on Monday and Tuesday on the 2 Nord Stream 1 and a couple of pipelines connecting Russia to Germany. Leaks which might be the consequence of “deliberate acts”, based on the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen. The European Union, by means of its head of diplomacy Josep Borrell, evokes for its half a “sabotage” and warns at the moment in opposition to any assault focusing on its infrastructures. Whereas fingers are pointed at Russia, the Kremlin denies duty and factors the finger at the USA.

Tensions are subsequently rising, in a context of partial mobilization decreed by Vladimir Putin every week in the past. 1000’s of younger Russians have since tried to depart the nation to keep away from going to the entrance by power. Because the borders aren’t at the moment closed, these males are fleeing en masse to international locations that don’t require a visa, reminiscent of Georgia. This small nation to the east of the Black Sea subsequently finds itself despite itself as a bunch nation.

On this context, the effectiveness of European sanctions in opposition to Russia is named into query. If forecasts point out an 11% drop in Russia’s GDP, and inflation at 22%, the results aren’t as sturdy as anticipated. Particularly, Russia has been capable of redirect its fuel exports to Asia, China and India. The Russian economic system is subsequently resisting higher than anticipated, thus pushing the West to additional improve its sanctions. Ursula von der Leyen, who nonetheless believes that Russia is “virtually in a state of insolvency”, is positioning herself for even stronger measures.

So, what would be the penalties of those annexation referendums organized by Russia? Who’s behind the Nord Stream 1 and a couple of leaks? Will younger Russians be capable to proceed to flee their nation? Are the sanctions in opposition to Moscow inadequate?

Company :

– Alain Bauer professor on the CNAM, head of the safety, protection and intelligence unit

-Elsa Vidal editor-in-chief of the Russian language editorial employees – RFI

– Frédéric Encel, physician in geopolitics and mlecturer at Sciences Po Paris and Paris College of Enterprise, writer of “The Methods of Energy”

– Daphne Benoiyou, Protection correspondent, former correspondent on the Pentagon – AFP