The essential
Russia announced Wednesday to expel 34 French diplomats, a decision taken in retaliation for the expulsions in April by France of 41 Russians, in the wake of the offensive in Ukraine.
The first war crime trial since the Russian invasion has opened in kyiv.
France will send new equipment to Ukraine, announced the Elysée.
Finland and Sweden have applied for NATO membership.
Turkey continues to oppose it.
But Washington is “confident”.
The United States Embassy in Kyiv is reopening after three months of closure.
Nearly 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers are still holed up in the Azovstal steelworks, according to a pro-Russian separatist leader.
06:26
Azovstal: a thousand Ukrainian fighters still entrenched
“The commanders and high-ranking fighters of the Azov (regiment) have not yet emerged” from the last bastion of Ukrainian resistance in this port city, assured Denis Pushilin, a pro-Russian separatist leader.
According to him, a thousand members of this paramilitary unit integrated into the Ukrainian army were still hiding there.
Ukraine gave the same figure, but last week.
Several hundred civilians had taken refuge in these basements, they were evacuated at the end of April.
06:15
US Embassy reopens in Kyiv
The United States reopened its embassy in kyiv on Wednesday, closed in mid-February before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, announced the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken.
“Today we officially resume operations at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.
The people of Ukraine, with our security help, defended their homeland from the irresponsible invasion of Russia, and as a result, the Stars and Stripes once again flies over the embassy,” he said in a statement after the raising of the American flag.
06:05
Welcome to this live
You will be able to follow throughout the day the events relating to this 85th day of war in Ukraine.