New sanctions against Russia and the nitric acid accident: Highlights on war in Ukraine on April 5

Author

Diana Polunina

The 41th day of the war against the Russian invaders continues in Ukraine. has compiled business, political, and economic news that will help you learn more about the situation in the country that has been defending its right to exist for more than a month.

The main events of April 5 were:

In Rubizhne, Luhansk region, the Russian occupiers hit a tank with nitric acid, said on his Facebook page the head of Luhansk oblast state administration Sergiy Gaiday.

'Do not leave your shelters! If you are indoors — close the doors and windows! Prepare protective face masks impregnated with soda solution', — he wrote.

Photo: FB / Sergiy Gaidai

On April 5, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave an interview to the Ukrainian media, where he spoke about the Bucha Massacre, talks with Russia, Hungary and more. The president said that after the crimes of the Russian military in Bucha, negotiations with the aggressor country will be difficult. He also does not rule out that his meeting with Russian President Putin will not take place.

'We have an internal affair with these criminals who tortured our people. We are starting to gather information and will look for these people. There are people who really want to find these criminals. If international law does not help us in this, Ukrainian law will do it', Zelenskyy said of the punishment of those responsible for the deaths of civilians in Bucha, adding that the European Union would help Ukraine in this.

Zelenskyy also noted that the greatest progress in the talks was made on the issue of Ukraine's neutral status and international guarantees of its security. At the same time, there is no final list of countries that are ready to provide such a guarantee.

'Denazification is not an issue for us. Address it to yourself in front of a mirror', Zelenskyy added to russia.

As for Hungary, which is not trying to contradict Russia's plans, the President of Ukraine said that the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban is oriented toward Russia.

'He is afraid of Russia's influence on his country. And this influence exists. He can continue to flirt. He needs cheap energy and so on. But it won't be long', he said.

Policy

European countries are expelling Russian diplomats from their territories en masse. This was done by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain and Sweden. In particular, France send out 35 Russian diplomats, Denmark — 15, Germany — 40, Sweden — 3, Italy — 30, Spain — 25. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Western countries have sent more than 250 Russian diplomats.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Josep Borrell will visit Kyiv this week, European Commission President's spokesman Eric Mamer wrote on his Twitter page. The politicians will meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on the eve of the StandUpForUkraine charity event, which will take place on April 9 in Warsaw.

Economy

Ursula von der Leyen has announced a fifth package of EU sanctions against Russia. The new sanctions are related to the atrocities of the Russian occupiers in the Kyiv region, in particular in the city of Bucha. Thus, the EU has banned the import of Russian coal for 4 billion euros annually; potassium salt, cement, wood, rubber, caviar and vodka for 5.5 billion euros annually, bans transactions with four Russian banks, including VTB, bans Russian ships and operators from entering EU ports, but with the exception of agricultural products, food goods, humanitarian and energy cargo, etc. The work of Russian and Belarusian transport operators is also banned, and dozens of individuals, including politicians and oligarchs, are added to the sanctions list.
Bloomberg writes that Ukrainian grain exports due to the war were limited to 500 thousand tons per month (before the war the figure reached 5 million tons), which carries a loss of $ 1.5 billion. Other countries are starting to supply more grain. India is starting to supply wheat to Asia, Brazil is increasing supplies, just like Australia, and Egypt is considering exchanging its fertilizers for Romanian grain and negotiating wheat with Argentina and more. But the International Grains Council predicts that world grain trade, excluding rice, could fall by 12 million tons this season, the biggest amount in at least a decade. Russia, on the other hand, continues to export grain, but may face difficulties in delivering and paying for it in the future.

Business

Auchan, a French supermarket chain, has cut off investment and supplies in Russia and is isolating its Russian office. According to the company's Ukrainian office, new stores will not be opened in Russia, existing ones will not be repaired, IT technologies and projects will not be supported, the main software will not be updated, and imported goods will not be delivered.

'We have finally managed to get the company to stop investing and supplying in Russia. This is only the first step, but we are determined to continue fighting', Auchan Ukraine reported.

According to the Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, Boryspil Airport has suffered losses of UAH 3.5 billion since the full-scale operation, and Ukrposhta has lost over UAH 500 million in revenues in the first month.

'The main drop was in written correspondence, which almost stopped. The decline in imports was 85%, exports 65%, and the decline in domestic parcels was about 80%. The number of paid utility bills also fell. The positive news is that domestic parcels are reviving and showing positive dynamics as well as export shipments'.

Following the revelation of the atrocities of the Russian occupiers in Bucha, the French food group Danone is also considering possible ways to leave Russia. According to Reuters, citing a source, the company wanted to avoid losing assets or creating problems for local staff. Also, the company did not want to deprive the Russians of food in case of her departure from the country.

Context.