Xi Jinping soon in Moscow, bombardment in Kramatorsk

► One dead, three injured in a bombing in Kramatorsk

At least one person was killed and three injured Tuesday morning March 14 by a Russian bombardment in the center of Kramatorsk, in eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Six residential buildings were damaged, he said on Facebook, adding that rescue operations were continuing. The mayor of the city has reported 25 damaged buildings.

“The State of Evil continues to wage war on the civilian population”but go ” without fail “ to be punished for these “murders”again launched the Ukrainian president to the address of Russia.

► 700th alarm siren in kyiv

Tuesday, March 14, the 700th alarm siren since the beginning of the conflict sounded in kyiv. The last Russian bombardment on the Ukrainian capital dates back to last Thursday. A rain of missiles then fell on the whole country, sparing kyiv, where two people were injured, and the electricity and heating partially cut off.

► Grains agreement: “consultations” continue after the Russian proposal

Consultations are continuing between all parties on the Ukrainian grain export deal, the UN said on Tuesday, after Russia’s proposal to extend it for only 60 days, leaving uncertainty over its continuation.

“The United Nations will do everything possible to preserve the integrity of the agreement and ensure its continuity. Consultations with all parties continue at all levels.”said Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA), at the heart of the negotiations.

► Xi Jinping in Moscow next week

According to information released Monday, March 13 by the British news agency Reuters, Chinese leader Xi Jinping plans to travel to Russia to meet Vladimir Putin as early as next week. According to Wall Street Journal, he could at the same time meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, by videoconference.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have spoken on the phone several times since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began a year ago. The Russian leader had invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Moscow for next spring, between April and May. China and Russia considered that such a visit should be brought forward, a few days after the reappointment of Xi Jinping to the post of President of the People’s Republic of China for a third term and at a time when Vladimir Putin needs the sound support “staunch ally” Chinese.