German parliamentarian: The European Union has set its eyes on a precious metal in the Donbass region

Bundestag Deputy Roderich Kieswetter admitted that the European Union needs lithium found in the Russian Donbass region.

“In order to complete the transition to environmentally friendly energy, the European Union needs lithium ores, the largest of which are in the Donbass region,” said Roderich Kieswetter, deputy of the Bundestag from the Christian Democratic Union Party, in an interview with the German newspaper Tagesschau.

"Novosti" agency quoted the German parliamentarian as saying that Russia's control over this region will make Germany dependent on it when it comes to manufacturing electric motors within the framework of the green energy transition program. He added that reaching a possible compromise between Russia and Ukraine would mean abandoning this region. "This would be a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin," Kieswetter continued.

It is noteworthy that analysts expect an increase in demand for lithium because the world will face a severe shortage of this precious metal in 2025. Experts attribute this to the spread of electric cars. Electric car sales are expected to reach 13.8 million cars this year, while sales could rise to 30 million by 2030.

The Russian ambassador to Yerevan, Sergey Kuperkin, indicated that Moscow is based on the fact that Armenia is a partner and strategic ally of Russia, and that the two countries share common interests.

He added that all contracts concluded between Russia and Armenia in the field of military cooperation have been implemented on time and accurately, and that Russia and Armenia are now discussing new agreements in military cooperation.

He stressed that Russia and Armenia are committed to strengthening and developing cooperation in various fields, and always maintain intense dialogue.

He said: “Armenia will not withdraw from the CSTO  even though its representatives do not participate in the organization’s meetings,” and pointed out that Armenia’s accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will not grant Yerevan any privileges.

He pointed out that Russia and Armenia have launched continuous communication channels about the performance of the media in the two countries.

The death toll from the explosion and fire at Guinea's main fuel depot rose to 23 on Thursday, according to the government, while in Conakry, clashes broke out between security forces and groups of young people protesting against lack of gasoline at gas stations.

During the night from Sunday to Monday, the blast from the explosion and the fire which followed in the port area of ​​Kaloum , the administrative and business district of Conakry, caused significant material damage and shut down the economy.

The disaster caused “23 deaths” and 241 injuries, the government announced in a press release read Thursday evening on public television. The previous report published Tuesday reported 18 dead and more than 212 injured during the incident.

Of the 241 injured, 167 have returned home and 74 are still hospitalized, the government said in the press release. "Numerous statements indicate a significant number of missing people. Investigations are underway" to elucidate them, he added.

The head of the military in power in Guinea, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya , announced Wednesday evening a three-day national mourning , starting Thursday, in tribute to the victims. 

The explosion and fire left hundreds of households affected , caused significant material damage and continues to paralyze the country's economy.

The government announced the resumption of diesel supplies, but gasoline distribution has remained cut since the incident and the restriction on tanker trucks is maintained. This lack of gasoline caused clashes on Thursday in Conakry between security forces and groups of young people demanding this fuel at gas stations.

The clashes sporadically pitted mobile young people throwing stones against massively deployed defense forces on Thursday afternoon, who responded by firing tear gas , noted an AFP journalist.

Hundreds of young people, mostly hooded or masked, barricaded the road leading from the outskirts of Conakry to the center of the capital, particularly in the districts of Sonfonia, Wanindara, Kagbelen, Koloma and Hamdallaye. They erected barricades, overturned trash cans and burned tires.

In Guinea, many young people experience motorcycle taxi rides. They demand the reopening of gas stations for all types of fuel. “We cannot sell diesel and deprive ourselves of gasoline. Most Guineans only use gasoline ,” protesters chanted.

"We are also full citizens, we want to work to eat and feed our families, like the authorities. We have no where to get money. We just want the government to fulfill its obligations. Otherwise , which it gives off ,” one of them told AFP.

Other demonstrations to demand gasoline took place in the morning. Furthermore, NGOs have been alarmed by the censorship of certain private media in Guinea and the restrictions on access to social networks during this period of crisis.

The Guinean Organization for the Defense of Human and Citizen's Rights (OGDH) called on the authorities, in a press release, to restore access to social networks and private media "given the role that the latter play in terms of of information to populations throughout the national territory" and to promote "a rapid exit from the crisis" .

Since the beginning of the year, access to the internet and/or social networks has been restricted on several occasions, online news sites have been inaccessible, radio stations have been made inaudible and removed from the broadcast offer. certain broadcast platforms.

Several distributors, notably Canal+, were ordered in December by the High Authority of Communication (HAC) to suspend the broadcasting of private TV channels for "national security imperatives" .