ah ah, barricade fires and violent clashes with the police, a scene on the streets of paris under the french cities or the incumbent president micron wins the presidential race. also coming up. this is thomas, have you nation. and this is the scene. every single village taken from ukrainian with holes in the military base. a spy thing in the don bus region. rage is on an artsy crew visits an abundant school used by ukrainian troops as

a defensive position. and the western media pushes for harsh sanctions for the e. u. countries refusing to cut off russian gas as the you agreed to moscow's demand for gas. payments in with you week is just getting underway here in the russian capital. my name is peter scott and will be joining us from welcome to 30 minutes of news here on archie international. the incumbent french president, is to retain his post for 5 more years. that's according to the preliminary results of the 2nd round, the whole race between micron and the right wing firebrand marine le pen. the gap between the opponents was far close to the last election, and opponents of manuel micron took to the streets to show their discontent. ah. 7

even though the process highlights the drop in the incumbent president's rate things that have been consistently falling in the run up for the elections ortiz, it shall davinsky reports on those election results. when you look for b, it be that our country is full of so many doubts, so many divisions. so we will need to be strong, but no one will be left behind. it will be up to us to work together to achieve unity. i'm not the candidate of one camp anymore, but the president of all of us. so many of my call has been re elected as president of france. it's the 1st time that anybody has been given a 2nd shot in office for around 20 years. he beat murphy in the pen with a larger majority than was expected. however, many said that they simply couldn't vote for either candidate. and as

a result of that, the abstention rate is said to be at a 15 year high at around 28 percent. there was anger that spilled out to the streets of france, moments after that announcement was made that emanuel mac gone, had once again won this huge discontentment, with some of the things he did him. his 1st mandate, his 1st 5 years in office. and they were already tensions palatable with protest is out on the streets. there's tensions were high. ah ah ah, ah.

so maureen, the pen of the national rally didn't win this time around. however, she does feel as if that the fact that she won more than 40 percent of the vote, that's what's been projected that she has been raised up by that a. what we have seen for her policy is this unprecedented support that wasn't there previously. she has gained huge, were meant him since she went in to that 2nd round of the election back in 2017. why? well her campaigning for the cost of living crisis has resonated with a huge proportion of the electorate tyrann france. and there is really this distaste by many for president mac on somebody that has been described over and over as being divisive and our contin office. and she has now urged her supporters to use this success as a springboard for the legislative elections that are coming up here in june. we are

more determined than ever. i have no resentment. we will not forget the france that is forgotten. the ideas that we represent have reached new heights in this defeat. i can't help but feel hope. murray. the pen also said that emmanuel might chrome was a divisive figure. and as we saw from his 1st term in office, there were an abundance of protest. movements here in france, whether that was from the yellow, vast movement that started back in 2018 and hasn't quite pete it out yet, or the protest. so for his plans to raise the retirement age. something that he actually campaigned on this time around and says he will look to do in his next 5 years in office present. michael and how has perhaps an even bigger problem that he needs to face. when he took control 5 years ago, he looked at the idea of bringing people together to seal the nation and talked

about doing everything possible to ensure that people wouldn't move towards the fringes towards policies like the national riley, what we have seen in 2022 is that the national rally came far too close for comfort for many to actually getting to the lease a palace hail in france. so could another 5 years of macro. if he continues to stoke that same type of division that we had seen over his past mandate, if that continues could france move even further in the next 5 years towards those fringes? by the french military, he returned an army base to molly and forces early this week, as accused russian mercenaries of staging burials. and molly claiming the actions a part of a smear campaign against them. video provided. so associated press allegedly shows around a dozen bodies being buried near an army base in northern molly,

the soldiers in the video, i believe, to be members of the wagner group, a russian mercenary contingent. and the french military claims is an attempt to discredit french operations in the country. there are some for ministry has called for an investigation into the burial given the traditional tendency of the french media and often some european officials to blame other countries for all the sins. we can assume that some will be tempted to throw into the media space versions directed against the molly and military who successes in clearing the terrorist threat from their republic has irritated paris, which failed to do so during the years of its presence in molly, we support the decision of the maryan authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the commission of this crime. he hoped that the perpetrators will be identified and will be brought to justice. for more on this, we can cross live now to store north gerald hall and job. welcome to the program. now the friendship ministries accused russian mysteries of staging these burials in molly, how credible do you think these allegations are now? it must be said, the french, i mean to say that the photo analysis allows him to quote, draw

a direct line between wagner is our tibbits is on those allegations again from shoulders. what do you think reminder stand the is, is that the bodies had endured, put you for cam, putrefaction. they were purifying there are decomposing. and that suggests that these killings, if they were in fact killings had taken place a well before the barrows. i agree with the statement that there needs to be a thorough investigation of what led up to this video that we are now seeing on our screens. but certainly, we know that there is a tendency in the north atlantic countries to throw dust in the eyes of the public to try to distract attention from their misdeeds by pointing the finger of accusation at others. and that might be at play with regard to this current crisis . and molly, because we know that the molly and authorities were quite dissatisfied with the

performance of the french troops in molly, of this is no accident to route what used to be called francophone africa. there is thorough dissatisfaction with the role of france in that part of africa. you see it of from molly to pikeno faso to senegal to guinea con cree to wander where the genocide of 1994 is oftentimes laid at the doorstep of the french authorities. so france has a lot to apologize for, and i understand why they might want to try to shift blame or responsibility to others on those others in this case appeared to be russian forces. well, it's no secret that the relations between moscow and the north atlantic countries, france not lease or rather complex and complicated right now. and certainly, given the kind of hysteria that has been whipped up about russia and light of the

intervention in ukraine, or we should not be all at all surprised that france would seem to try to take advantage of that hysteria by now, blaming russia or russians for killing africans, even though we know that francis distinguished itself and at ghoulish category for decades, if not centuries. now leave it on us. the statement by the russian foreign ministry, it said that the video that was released is directed against the malia and military as well. what do you think they mean by that? well, it's no secret. the molly and military was quite disgusted with the performance of their french counterparts during the french intervention. and molly, things got so bad that many of the people and molly actually came to believe that the french military was actually collaborating and cooperating with the religious

zealots. the so called islamic fundamentalists, of who were running a mock in molly, to believe that france was collaborating with those they were supposed to be combating. gives you an idea of how relations between mullins and french had deteriorated in recent years. and therefore, does not at all, should not be seen as surprising that france would seek to deflect attention or from its own responsibility. while gerald hold histone an author thus all for now, i'm afraid, but thank you very much for your insight today. a citing continues to rage in the dom bazemore russian troops arriving in the combat zone. correspondent raj goes de, visited a local school abundance by the ukrainian military, which was used as a defensive position phase 2 of russia's operation ukraine. he's in full swing,

vast convoys of troops and equipment. continue to pour into the ball zone, day and night. and as you get closer to the front, the sky lights up with russian forces, together with local de nits. militiamen are sweeping along the regions administrative borders. all of this was liberated from ukrainian nationalists, and regulars. within the past week, it's easy to find where they were quoted and resupplied. often, you just have to head for the closest school. for 8 years, as you grade, waged civil war against separatist provinces they, they tried to convince everyone from you out of the country was united. here is the core across the whole from the local belonging to novak senior ukraine,

who said over the years and i didn't wanna go through with the food cholo roles for viola bray gorgeous bulus, samuel nation leave on. 1 body of shoulder aloof anti missile . and this is the scene in every single village taken from ukrainian troops that they would pads, holes in the military bases. social media platforms are flooded with videos, showing ukrainian troops setting up bases and arms depos in schools, even as frightened civilians pack the basement there. hm. village, any settlement wherever we go. they make their firing positions in kindergarten, schools, churches, the national, live side by side with civilians. in the end, when they begin to retreat,

their artillery hits post us and civilians. this scenario is repeated every time after our troops arrive, people relax, they begin to live. normally, they calm down. russian and allied forces. here have almost reached the border of ukraine's near pro petrov screech. and they are at the gate severely. can of a shortcut the large fortified town? closer to the front lines, we found a forward medical station. russian and local medics receive stabilize and send on troops injured in the fighting. we arrived as 3 the minutes militiamen wounded by shrapnel, perceived urgent care. with a demand, you will not be a little late. i live right over them with motherly mother. none of the injuries were life threatening,

though one soldier was heavily concussed. 3 at once is rare, but not unseen. lease, he the savage war, even though some humanity remains in the condition that where am i being at the forefront? we're holding on, we have a sufficient supply of everything we need. we accept everyone including civilians, even captured enemy soldiers. we provide them with the necessary medical assistance and send them on further for medical care. we feel great arc. we have support from our command and we believe everything went soon. rushes strategy here is care. the intent east to encircle ukraine's forces nationalist battalions and regular troops in the don baths region. after 8 years of fighting and preparations to retake separatist areas by force. they are both experienced and well armed. this battle will neither be sure who easy or i'd get the of our tea from the disk.

and stand in the done yet. republic, here is some footage from maria pals pour, showing the level of destruction after that intense fighting number of ships are badly damaged with some having been sunk. and carson buildings in the area have also been destroyed. the some unexploded minds left in the area. we heard from a russian soldier and a captain of a bulgarian ship fictitious to discuss those learned though the ukrainian army had a fortified position in almost every building here was. this is evidenced by the large amount of ammunition that is present here, including western weaponry. if the building is untouched, that means there was no one here. possible. hello, digital of nike pleasure. it was hard for the crew because we are civilians. it was a lot of stress for us to hear the explosions of mines and grenades. it was terrible. no one can work here, now, cranes are damaged buildings. computers papers are destroyed. there is no one in

the port who would work here will. meanwhile, in the russian city of brians, which is close to the border with ukraine, a huge fire broke out. it's an oil depot. local officials did confirm the incidents, but the cause of the fire is not yet known. residents of the nearby area say they heard powerful explosions before fire in gulf to the depot. no casualties have been reported on as always, we bring you updates us and when we get them western media is ramping up. the pressure after the european commission allowed payments for ocean gas in rubles with germany and austria, declaring a quick cuts off from russian gas would devastate their economies. the countries now face calls was of measures for refusing to fall in line with tough until russian sanctions. artists don't cause a has more. you're either with us or against us. that seems to be the message, the western media, sending berlin just for being a bit apprehensive about slapping more sanctions on russia. we could impose

a 6 month ban on german exports and keep extending it until the war was over or the gas pipelines closed down. alternatively, we could organize consumer boycotts after all, any one buying a new b m w, or volkswagen is indirectly paying for putin's army. a point worth keeping in mind when choosing a new car. according to that telegraph article, germany should end up right next to moscow on the sanctions list, just because berlin is worried about what more sanctions could mean for its own economy. the new york times also put out a hit piece on former chancellor. gerhard schroeder, for saying, germany's economy needs russia, you can't isolate a country like russia in the long run, neither politically nor economically. german industry needs the raw materials that russia has. it's not just oil and gas, it's also rare earths. and these are raw materials that cannot simply be substituted when this war is over, we will have to go back to dealing with russia. we always do. it's not surprising

that more german public figures are now thinking that way. after all the countries inflation rate for march was 7.3 percent, the highest since 1981. and the rising cost of living has dealt a serious blow to public support for anti russian sanctions. just asked the people on the streets, his own hand, and how can a country be punished for buying something. we need to discuss whether it is possible or not to continue buying russian gas and who should punish him. but i am a heating engineer, i have my own business and i constantly have to install gas heating oil heating. i ask, where are we going to get gas from? where will we get it? if we stop purchasing, where will we get gas from? even e, you politicians are flat out saying they cannot go on without russian das. we will not see the consequences of this in the spring and summer of 2022 as we have restocked, but next winter will impossible to survive. if there is no more russian gas look at the, at the sanctions in a different way. because a we of course,

in line with all the sanctions and with our partners in you. but once a sanction hits, it's yourself more than the ones targeted of i the sanction i think there's not much use last month in response to already existing sanctions. russia's president vladimir putin demanded gas payments from unfriendly countries to be made in roubles. that 1st the e. u flat out rejected the idea, but after a quick realization that there wasn't much of a choice. if the lights were going to stay on, the european commission agreed to play along. you companies can ask their russian counterparts to fulfill their contractual obligations in the same manner as before . the adoption of the decree by depositing the due amount in euro's dollars. all the while countries that don't want to dump even more weapons into ukraine are feeling the pressure as well. some in washington want to cut off for an aides too. it's close ally, israel for refusing to do so. israel reaction to ukraine will have varying on future aid from the u. s. to israel. hey,

it forward. while the british telegraph says france and germany should be ashamed for also refusing to send more weapons, it's pushed germany's chancellor to say enough is enough when world tensions are already so high. we must do everything possible to avoid a direct, military confrontation between nato in a highly armed superpower like russia, a nuclear power. i am doing everything i can to prevent an escalation that leads to a 3rd world war. there should be no nuclear war. brussels is planning yet a 6th round of sanctions against russia. the west, santi russia, hardliners are clearly trying to pressure their allies into their camp. but who knows how far they will bend before they decide to protect their own interests over kids? former austrian foreign minister current can i still told us that this pressure is if indebted by some of german is you panos, you know, there's a kind of so then that i thought of revenge in my eyes. if i may say, by a certain parts of germany who were dictated about 1012 years ago,

why determine how to run their economy that was against the backdrop of fuel prices . when he turned 2011, then chancellor, i'm going to america more less put them in front of very strong forms in order to remain within that particular to reset it to lead stains or to go to a certain extent. and when i am observing now, the positions by italy and greece wolf, countries are also very dependent on russian gas. so they say, well, look, we are more efficient like germany that we go for it. and flied away all recession, huge and dictate, and musical, was much harder than whatever you might face. now, i would call it. now it's a sort of little revenge by those governments and the germans honestly have not been behaving in a very diplomatic, in

a very strategic way. also over the last 1015 years in other news stickers with images of joe biden, its american gas stations, hardcaret vacations, added americans appeared to make it clear that the gist of the stickers was not related to russia's actions in ukraine. americans hit by rising petrol prices, paste a gas stations with stickers depicting biden as you can quite clearly see here on your screen. but the stickers begun to appear with the inscription, quotes this sticker was here before putin invaded ukraine. many have become increasingly dissatisfied with biden's presidency and his political course. and we spoke to some residents of houston, texas. i'm not surprised at the popularity of the going down a gas prices and many other teams. and he's done president saying that because of the war, the gas prices were the same, or even during or before,

we really need to get down and fix what's going on here in our 1st, before i voted for him. and i'm actually kind of sorry that i did, we need to be protecting our border before we go out there and worry about your praise work. if the economy is good, presidents can get by with a lot if it starts to decide if you start having a high price, people are going to be angry about it. and there's going to be a change in the administration very quickly. usually the approval ratings of us presidents tends to rise when the country faces strategic challenges while biden's is falling. the policy of sanctions against bush has created problems for the administration with commodity prices rising. the withdrawal of troops from afghanistan triggered the fall in ratings went biden's rating dropped by 10 points, with the president's also appearing confused during public appearances on multiple occasions.

ah, let's go live now to sara found is co director of international action center and contributing editor of workers, world newspaper. welcome to the program. now sir, how do you feel about the stickers, the mach biden's policies, and have you seen many of them yourself? i know, frankly, i haven't seen any of them, but i'm here in new jersey just outside of new york, but i think across the country. the big problem is that u. s. policy is not succeeding. therefore, the president, who helped in every way to launch this war to motivated to push for billions and billions of dollars and funding for it will pay the price. and that was money taken directly from desperately needed domestic programs here to pay for

a program that only is a benefit to us top military, oil and gas corporations. and everyone here understand pretty well. even if they're all whipped up by the propaganda on ukraine, they know who benefits they know who this war is being fought for. and that is not, and it will not benefit working people here. they know that this is a war imposed by nato. i mean there is that understanding the lack of any really deep support here, all the media wall to wall and along with major funded social organizations and churches and schools. they push it. but when you talk to the average person on the street, they're not so sure at all. so that's what really, what biden is up against. an economy that isn't getting better,

it's getting much worse. and social programs being cut, inflation going up. and that's of course, happening in europe to it's not turning out the way they thought it would. yeah. what point would you think the biden's ratings began to deteriorate? was it that withdrawal from afghanistan or was it prior to that with the, the immigration crisis longest to the border? i think certainly of ghana stan confirmed once again there is a deep sentiment against us being involved in another war. and here they didn't succeed after 20 years in afghanistan, the poorest country most in the world. and yet, us was a complete failure. so the idea of immediately jumping into a new war, it doesn't resonate. and there is no solution to the problems here.

so they, they make an attack on migrants at the border. yes, they always jumped to some social issue that they think can divert attention to growing homelessness. here. i mean, this is, this is there's a real problems with the economy and no, no improvement in wages over now we're talking, we're into the 3rd decade or not. so that begins to resonate with folks here. and they know that these wars cost in the trillions of dollars very quickly. so even if it's not expressed in a movement in the streets, it's certainly expressed in a deep apprehension that biden isn't providing any solutions. and that's was also true by the way of the trumpet administration, and that's why that didn't succeed. now,

there have been various incidents with joe biden appearing confused in public, and most recently there was instance of him appearing to shake hands with the empty air. now of course, the risk of reading too much into them. what, what do you think the impact is of these incidents on his ratings? well, i think it impacts him individually, but you know, also the media can make someone look glossy and great when their policies are succeeding and make the very same person appear completely inept. if their policies aren't succeeded. and we've seen this with politicians again and again that when they want to destroy someone, there are a 100 camera angles that they can suddenly discover and utilize. and when the policies are succeeding, that same person appears brilliant. and just to have the answer to everything. so i think the bigger problem behind it is most of the world,

maybe 3 quarters in terms of population of the world is not going along with the sanctions. the certainly, the e u says that they are, but in every way is trying to get out from under cause it, their survival is at stake. and even us corporations, some will benefit the largest, as i said in the military, the oil and gas, and a lot of others, won't they see that the conscious destruction of, of globalization impact. apologies for interrupting you, but really have renate times sarah. sarah found his code of international action center and contributing editor of the workers, world newspaper. thank you very much for your input today. thank you. bye bye. of more on any of those stories do check out our web sites and social media pages. my name is peter scotts, i'll be back with more in.