>> zelenskyy says the goal is not peace, but victory. the ukraine president's words, and their independence days -- come on their independence day and six month after the invasion of russia is marked. total energy is denies involvement in a russian war jet. an expose an oilfield part owned by tou thao inside the area with supply for fuel including the

ones that bombed mariupol. iran confied wednesday it received the u.s. response to its proposal to save the 2015 nuclear deal. our correspondent is standing by in washington with more. thank you very much for joining us. from ukraine is where we start. independence day has been marred by death. at least 50 people killed and over 50 wounded in a russian attack. rockets hit a railway station in the ukrainian town. 145 miles -- kilometers west. civilians targeted is the word coming from ukraine. but death and destruction marring the independence day in ukraine. celebrations have been canceled in anticipation of something like this. volodymyr zelenskyy says the aim for ukraine is not peace, but victory.

his words opened his country independence day commemoration. the u.n. called this a sad and tragic milestone. >> celebrating 31 years of independence as the war hits the six month mark. a sense of quite determination but the useful offense in the capital scaled-back for security reasons. many people are finding their own way to celebrate. the colors of the national flag, others walking along the main streets lined with destroyed russian tanks. >> to be independent is to think as being freely and do what you want, even in times of war. that is what ukraine is doing. president volodymyr zelenskyy and his wife paid their respects to fallen soldiers at the memorial. the ukrainian leader vowed to liberate all of the country without any concession or

compromise. >> we only care about our land. we will fight for it until the end. we have been holding for six months. it is tough, but we have clenched our fists and we are fighting for destiny. >> the anniversary has seen leaders from across the globe reaffirm support forkraine. >> the european commission chief said europe was with ukraine today and in the long run. the u.s. president pledged more military aids as boris johnson through another surprise visit to kyiv. >> for more on the european, eu wide position, we are joined by our brussels correspondent. >> the eu has already pledged 9

billion euros in terms of micro-financial assistance to ukraine out of t 12 million to 16 million volodymyr zelenskyy is saying he needs for 2022 alone. the new funds will also come in, the pre-accession funds, which stand from the fact the eu has granted ukraine official candidate status, paving the way for pre-accession funds. it is clear the eu will do what it can, which is always the same, giving money. that is one of the specialties of the europeans. but you have to look at the other side of the ukraine situation. it has created momentum in europe as compared to 30 years

ago, where the europeans did virtually nothing during the first two years of the war in yugoslavia. the europeans have said they would put sanctions in place. seven times so far that these have the strong embargo on all things russian. and it costs dearly to the europeans and their economy, and still they are on this united front, even though we know there is dissension between them, especially with some countries in central europe. but the europeans have attained this geopolitical status we are looking for, and they are going to support the ukraine and step up their military aid towards ukraine. germany announced a half a billion euros in military aid. europe seems to want to support

ukraine throughout this conflict. >> our correspondent who joined us earlier from brussels. a russian gas field partly owned by tou thao energies is being used for bombers striking targets in ukraine. it has been contested by the french company, but lamont reporting hydrocarbons from the gas field are transferred into jet fuel which could be tracked to two military bases near the ukrainian border. >> it is an accusation aimed straight at one of france's largest companies, being singled out for helping the russian air force launch attacks on ukrainian territory. an investigation carried out by the international organization global witness together with french journalists and published in the lamont newspaper. total rebounded as total energies. set to co-own the siberian field

where gas condensates a mixture of hypercard -- hydrocarbons is extracted before being refined by a russian company to fuel for jet engines. the investigation found hundreds of fuel shipments are being sent to airbases on the ukrainian border. and they are being used as part of moscow's invasion. while the energy giant has confirmed the gas condensate is being sold to the russian tech company, in which it owns a 20% stake, total energy says it doesn't have control over its operational activities. the report claims the fuel has been used to power fighter planes involved in bombings on civilian populations. including an attack that killed 47 people in march. but like other energy companies, total has refused to withdraw from russia as a response to the war. in march, the chief executive said gas fields would operate where there are not the company left, and insisted they remain vital for supplying energy to europe.

>> for more on this story, we spoke with one of the investigators at global witness. >> when you look at their denial, they are saying they don't produce jet fuel themselves. we are not saying that. the story we have looked at, it is a supply chain, it is clear, and it shows the condensate going through their fields in the north of russia. it goes to a processing plant run by a huge gas and -- russian gas company. it is an important part of the story that they have a stake. then it goes to a refinery. diesel may also be making its way.

but the real obvious point of the supply chain is whether the real shipments are going right next to the border. it is very clear that airbases around the ukrainian border on the russian side are receiving this fuel in the shipments have increased since just before the invasion took place. i think they have nothing to do with nova tech, and they don't have operational control or guarantee over this company. i think they have a 20% stake in this company, and it is supplying this oil made into this fuel. we have access to this data purely through purchasing it on a commercial basis from the data

provided. for them to say they cannot see where the shipments are going, or the latest data, it is very surprising. specifically talking company that they owned 20% of. >> watching for development on that. -- received the u.s. response to save the 2015 nuclear deal. the announcement comes a day after washington said iran had agreed to ease keyemands that held up the revival of the 2015 deal. one that was trashed by the former u.s. president trump. iran says it will issue a response after studying the americans words. going straight to washington where our correspondent is watching everything for us. a very good evening to you. give us some insight on the u.s. position as it stands right now.

>> amecans a being quite mom about what is going back and forth over the draft agreement from the european union following their long-standing policy of not negotiating anything in public, especially when it comes to the iran nuclear deal. john kirby of the national security council spoke to that earlier today. talking in broad terms about the negotiations. he didn't give any details as to what the u.s. response might entail, or how they felt about what they read from the iranians. he confirmed they had made several concessions recently, and thanks to those concessions, they made progress in the process. he called it a step forward.

but he said some gaps remain between americans and iranians. that is why he and the rest of the biden administration were being extremely cautious. cautious optimism from americans, but they believe things are not there yet. no answer on whether or not it means another round of negotiations. they wouldot say that at the national security council or the state department. on that note in the contact -- context, we did not get much. >> there must be some insiders talking absentmindedly, or talking directly with you giving you some kind of insight as to what happens next? >> americans are insisting they are doing their homework.

those were the words the spokesman of the state department used earlier today. but they are really trying not to leak anything regarding at least the u.s. response. they are being cautious. one of the reasons is the position of the israelis. there was a meeting between jake sullivan, national security advisor of president biden, who met yesterday with his israeli counterpart. among the topics discussed, we did not get much details about what the discussions really were about. they did talk about the possible iranuclear deal, t israelis being vocal about their oppositions to any sort of deal, at least from what they see right now. and the americans saying they were in close contact with the

europeans to really keep those communication lines open. but on details of that, you are getting very little information coming out, at least from the white house. >> thank you for giving us that briefing and bringing us up-to-date. we know we can rely on you to bring us everything as it happens. our correspondent in washington. looking to space. nasa's webb space telescope captured stunning images of the planet jupiter, showing tiny moons, rings, and aurora at the northern and southern poles. the fired rocket is orbiting the sun. a distance of one million miles, 1.6 million kilometers from the earth. called the second range point. it took the spacecraft almost a

month to reach the region, where it remains in a fixed position behind the earth and the sun to give it a clear view. fantastic stuff. on the ground with all of the world news. stay with us on france 24. >> hello and thanks for joining us. we are talking to growing global superstar, -- gold. ♪

that was nigerian singer adequately gold on his new and fourth album, catch me if you can. he joins us from london. how are you doing. >> very good, how are you? >> we are delighted to have you. thank you for fitting us in your busy schedule. seven point 5 million followers on instagram, 2.3 million followers on twitter, half a million followers on youtube. millions of streams and views. at this point, adekunle gold, can anyone catch you? >> i doubt, they can try. >> it is meant to showcase the black experience along music, art, and style. how would you describe the vibe?

>> confidence, freedom, it is like -- for me. it is the fourth alm. it also shows growth. >> you made it during the pandemic. what was that time like for you? >> between america and nigeria, it was crazy times how we cannot go out, everyone stuck inside. i made use of my time making music, reflecting, thinking about how i want to improve my own sound, the quality of my music. >> you gained recognition from your very first release in 2015. a love song that sampled one

direction's story of my life. let's remind our viewers about that. ♪ >> you have changed a little bit since. 3 million views on youtube. why do think this song opened doors for you and propel your career to the next level? >> i wasn't expecting it at all. it was just a cola. just a few friends. i was hoping that was going to happen again.

and in two weeks, it blew up in nigeria. i went to my first international show in the u.k. based off of that song. that led me here now. >> that song has led to many collaborations. he recently dropped a hit song. let's have a listen. ♪ >> another massively successful

song. tell us what about it? piano recording, i said i would like tory a vibe like this. got in the studio and we were making the beat. the first line was i just want to be high. i didn't finish the song. i wrote it in 2021. didn't finish until august 2021. it was very helpful, we got in the studio, finished the song, and released it. >> also collaborated with ghana's manifest. game ove is on his album. he's actually recorded a message for you. ♪ >> my brother.

we are also excited about the highs you keep reaching. my question is what is most important decision you made in the last five years? personally and professionally. >> huge shout out to manifest. always looking out for me. the most important decision i ever me, starting a family. you can see the energy, i met happy. that is one of the best things i have ever done. >> the new track everyone is talking about is mercy. tell uabout thsong. >> that is my absolute jam. i was talking about how you can be cool people, not necessarily for you. open my eyes, showing me my peon.

>> let's take a listen. ♪ >> you seeing in your native your roof but, english, and pidgin english. tell us about incorrating your culture in your music? >> my way of life, everything that led me here. i love my culture so much, i like to share it everywhere i go. it is all around me, everything that i am. it is important to let people know where i'm from. that is why i like to speak my song. >> before you were a big star,

and you were pretty good at photoshop as you studied graphic design. let's check out some of the hilarious photos you worked on did you ever get feedback from the stars like beyonce, kim kardashian about these photos? >> i got a retweet from chrissy teigen. that is what i was excited about. >> tell us about mona lisa. the inspiration for that one. >> i was just being silly. just having fun. that when i thout that picture, i wanted to be in that picture. >> you are based between nigeria, where you were born and raised, and l.a.. have you picked up any inspiration by spending time in the u.s.? >> i listen to a lot of people.

listening to post-malone -- recently. in nigeria. one of mine was fluid e. amazing singer, songwriter. music om difrent parts of the world. >> what is comg in 2022? >> t album is out now. i'm excited about getting on the road again. touring different places. the videos, the partnerships, a lot of things lined up for me this year that i'm excited to get into. adekunle gold, i know you are sitting in a car stopped in the middle of traffic in rainy london. is there any chance you might

sing us out of the show? >> definitely. ♪ ♪ love you forever, that's the plan ♪ only you ♪ is all i see ♪ oh my ♪ ♪ i need you ♪ on my skin like tattoo ♪ ♪ there ain't nobody better than you ♪ >> adekunle gold, it has been a pleasure to have you on the show. the new album is catch me if you can. do you have a last message for the fans? always looking out for me.ort, sharing my music with everybody.

thank you for the success this album has had already. >> adekunle gold, thank you so much. catch me if you can. thanks for watching. see you next time. ♪ >> france 24, your economy

explained.

[captioning made possible by democracy now!] ♪ amy: from new york, this is democracnow! howard: even so-called good wars, like world war ii, do not solve any fundamental problems, and they poison everyone on both sides, poison the minds and souls of pe