Did you miss the latest events on the war in Ukraine? Do not panic, 20 Minutes takes stock for you every evening at 7:30 p.m. Who did what ? Who said what? Where are we ? The answer below:
news of the day
Disconnected, then finally reconnected… No, we are not talking about your capricious wifi box, but about the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, at the heart of all fears since its takeover by the Russians. After a brief disconnection from the Ukrainian energy network on Thursday, the plant was finally reconnected on Friday, announced the Ukrainian operator Energoatom, while ensuring that its security systems were working normally. The reconnected reactor “produces electricity for the needs of Ukraine”, added the operator: “The increase in its power is in progress”.
Not sure that the soap opera Zaporozhe will stop for all that. Since the start of the conflict, the plant, which has experienced multiple bombings for which both sides accuse each other, has worried the international community. A major nuclear incident is feared, the consequences of which would go well beyond the borders of Ukraine.
The number of the day
1.000. This is the price in euros of a megawatt hour of electricity in France in 2023, according to the new prices communicated this Friday. A year ago, the price was around 85 euros/MWh, ie 12 times cheaper! Obviously, the conflict in Ukraine plays a huge role in this record, with the drying up of Russian gas flows to Europe in response to the economic sanctions of the Twenty-seven. However, many thermal power stations use gas to generate electricity.
sentence of the day
“As long as Vladimir Putin is alive, there will be war”
Michel Terestchenko, former Franco-Ukrainian mayor of the city of Hlukhiv in the east of the country, confided in 20 Minutes on the conflict. For him, it is clear that the war is here to stay, with a stabilized front: the Ukrainians do not seem to be able to retake the big cities like Kherson, but still ready to resist solidly. He imagines the fighting resuming in force in the spring, after a difficult winter.
The trend of the day
Sweden and Finland are continuing their efforts to join NATO, the transatlantic military alliance. This Friday, it was passage to Ankara to speak with the Turkish representatives – the country being member of the alliance -, which block the adhesion of the Scandinavians. Turkey accuses the two nations of supporting Kurdish “terrorists”.
The meeting went well, since according to Turkey, Sweden and Finland reaffirmed their commitment to fight “terrorism”. A good thing done in the long process of joining NATO.