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Demonstrations in Paris. Thibault Camus / AP 

 

Political situation in France 

Over a million protested against French pension reform 

 

Close to 1.3 million French people demonstrated on Tuesday against President Emanuel Macron's plans to raise the retirement age, according to figures from the Ministry of the Interior, writes TT. From the union point of view, the assessment is that as many as 2.8 million demonstrated.  

 

Among other things, the demonstrations had major effects on public transport, both locally and nationally. Employees in child care also went on strike, which meant that many were forced to stay home from work to care for their children.  

 

The unions are calling for new protests on February 7 and 11.

 

Prime Minister Denys Sjmyhal. Bebeto Matthews/AP 

 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

EU summit in Kyiv on Friday: "Powerful signal"  

 

On Friday, a summit between Ukraine and the EU will be held in Kyiv, writes TT. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal spoke about the meeting during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, saying the meeting is "extremely important" in Ukraine's bid to join the union. 

 

- The fact that this summit will be held in Kyiv is a powerful signal to both allies and enemies, Sjmyhal said. 

 

It has already been known that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel would travel to Kyiv on Friday, but which others will participate is still unclear.  

Russian ballistic robot capable of carrying nuclear weapons. AP 

 

The nuclear weapons of the great powers  

The US accuses Russia of violating the nuclear agreement  

 

The United States accuses Russia of violating the New Start agreement, the last remaining agreement that regulates the countries' access to nuclear weapons, writes AFP.  According to the US, Russia has stopped US inspections and canceled meetings within the framework of the agreement.  

 

However, there are no allegations that Russia is expanding its nuclear arsenal beyond what the agreement allows.  

 

The agreement was concluded in 2010 and stipulates, among other things, that the two countries may have a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads in preparedness.  

 

Ulf Kristersson and António Guterres. TT  

 

The Swedish security situation 

Kristersson to the UN chief: Help us calm the tone  

 

After Tuesday's meeting with the party leaders at Rosenbad, regarding the political security situation, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) had a short conversation with UN leader António Guterres, where Kristersson expressed a hope of getting help to mediate with countries that are now criticizing Sweden. 

 

- The more people who can contribute to calming down a tone, between Sweden and other countries, there is a great value for the Swedish part, said Kristersson. 

 

- Did he sound like he thought it was a good idea? asked Aftonbladet's political commentator Lena Mellin. 

 

- I will not put any words in his mouth. I perceived that he appreciated our conversation and that he had no other thought than to be able to contribute in different ways, replied the prime minister.  

 

Antony Blinken and Mahmoud Abbas. Ronaldo Schemidt / AP  

 

The Israel-Palestine conflict  

Blinken regrets Palestinian casualties in meeting with Abbas  

 

The American Foreign Minister Antony Blinken says that he regrets that "innocent Palestinian civilians" have been killed in the increasingly tense situation between Palestinians and Israelis, writes TT. During Wednesday, Blinken had a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in the West Bank.  

 

The minister also warns both sides against taking steps that make a two-state solution more difficult. He further said that the US is against Israel expanding its settlements in occupied territories, writes Haaretz.