To begin, via The Greanville Post, links to three commentaries from the other day. NOTE: an essay by Edward Curtin seen HERE in this blog eight days ago, was picked up by that blog; it can be found at the TGP website by scrolling down at the right hand side of the screen. ALSO, a late posting at this website yesterday, HERE, a link to Scott Ritter’s latest essay on the war. Then, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio and the Daily Mail, a UK newspaper; click on these organizations’ names below for some of their other offerings. — MCM
– – –
Will NATO Aggression Force Russia to Extend the Special Operation Beyond the Ukraine? by Batiushka for the Saker Blog | The Greanville Post The three aims of the Russian Federation’s Special Military Operation in the Ukraine were clearly announced by President Putin at the outset on 24 February. They were very specific, very limited and deliberately excluded the occupation of the whole of the Ukraine, let alone attacks on any territories outside it. Moreover, any suggestion of the use of nuclear weapons was quite absent – that was only ever raised by the hysterical irresponsibility and propaganda of Western politicians and journalists. Let us recall that the three aims were, firstly, the liberation of the Russian Donbass from the Nazis, and, secondly and thirdly, . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
As Things Continue to Deteriorate in Ukraine, Everyone Is Positioning Themselves For the Incoming Ukrainian Disintegration, spoken by Gonzolo Lira, with anonymous commentary | TGP So, everyone is realizing that the war is lost. That the Russians are going to win. And that it’s an inevitability at this point. . . . We see it from different perspectives — it’s really interesting. At Davis, for instance, Henry Kissinger, who . . . . Click HERE for the video; a transcript is not provided.
– – –
Grains of deceit (updated with visual of maritime corridor set up by the Russian Navy), by Nat South | TGP There are several evolving issues that are being watched regarding plans and developments made by the West to open Ukrainian Black Sea commercial ports. A medley of articles has recently popped up on grain shipments from Russia and the grain shortage caused by the conflict. As always, these articles from the corporate Western MSM are part of a propaganda effort to portray Russia in the worst light possible, articles with little or no evidence, just allegations, skewed data or blatantly omitting . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
In big bid to punish Moscow, EU bans most Russia oil imports, by Lorne Cook and Samuel Petrequin | The Associated Press BRUSSELS — In the most significant effort yet to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine, the European Union agreed to ban the overwhelming majority of Russian oil imports after tense negotiations that tested how far the bloc is willing to go to ostracize Moscow. From the moment Russia invaded on Feb. 24, the West has sought to make Moscow pay economically for its war. But targeting the lucrative energy sector was . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russia widens Europe gas cuts as Gazprom halts Dutch trader’s supply, by Toby Sterling, Anthony Deutsch and Philip Blenkinsop | Reuters * Gazprom says it cuts off supply to GasTerra * Russians cite refusal to pay in roubles * Danish also on watch for possible cut * Move a day after EU agrees to slash Russian oil imports * European gas prices rise 5% | — Russia widened its gas cuts to Europe today with Gazprom (GAZP.MM) turning off supply to top Dutch trader GasTerra escalating the economic battle between Moscow and Brussels and pushing up European gas prices. The move comes a day after Denmark flagged a potential end to its Russian gas supply and the European Union’s toughest measure yet against Russia for its invasion . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
European Union leaders agree to ban 90% of Russian oil by the end of 2022. Reported by Leila Fadel and Rob Schmitz | National Public Radio The European Union embargo covers only Russian oil brought in by sea — allowing a temporary exemption for imports delivered by pipeline. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
– – –
Boris Yeltsin’s son-in-law QUITS as advisor to Putin amid growing speculation the Russian President is losing his grip on power with army ‘on verge of collapse’ after Ukraine disaster, by Jack Newman | The Daily Mail * Valentin Yumashev has served as an aide since the presidency of Boris Yeltsin * He ran the presidential administration in 1997 when Putin was promoted * He has now departed, months after his daughter protested the Ukraine invasion | Boris Yeltsin’s son-in-law has quit his role as a Kremlin adviser amid speculation [President] Vladimir Putin is losing his grip on power due to his health. Valentin Yumashev, who is married to the former president’s daughter Tatyana, has served as an unpaid aide who was one of the last links inside the administration to Yeltsin’s rule. Under Yeltsin, who was Russian president from 1991 to 1999, Yumashev served as a Kremlin adviser and later as Kremlin chief of staff. READ MORE . . .
– – –
To BE CONTINUED