The essential
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Wednesday that the conflict in Ukraine was "long" and downplayed the risk of resorting to nuclear weapons.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed adding nearly 200 individuals and entities to the EU sanctions list against Moscow, including Russia's armed forces and three of the country's banks.
At least six civilians were killed and five others injured in a Russian strike on Wednesday on the town of Kurakhové.
06:43
International pressure has pushed Russia back on nuclear, says Olaf Scholz
"One thing has changed for the moment: Russia has stopped threatening to use nuclear weapons," said the Chancellor in an interview with the German media group Funke and Ouest France.
He sees this as a consequence of the fact that the international community, including China, “has drawn a red line” in Moscow on this issue.
“For now, we have put a stop to it,” says Olaf Scholz, about the risk of a nuclear escalation.
06:29
Putin recognizes a "long" conflict and relativizes the use of nuclear weapons
"We have not gone mad, we know what nuclear weapons are," said Vladimir Putin, during a video conference before his Human Rights Council, an organization entirely subject to the Kremlin.
After several threats to use them having emanated from Russian officials in recent months, he stressed that these weapons were "a means of defense", that they were intended for a "retaliatory strike".
On this occasion, he once again justified the offensive he launched more than nine months ago.
Although, "of course, it's a long process," he acknowledged.
06:20
Hi there !
Welcome to this live on the war in Ukraine and its consequences.
It has been 288 days since Russia invaded this country.