For today, links to six reports from the Kyiv Post, CNN, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Kyiv Independent, and the Anadolu Agency, and to commentary from Le Monde; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and ASSANGE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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Washington to approve deployment of U.S. military contractors to Ukraine. From Kyiv Post. CNN reported on Tuesday that White House officials are thrashing out the details of a plan to allow military contractors to deploy to Ukraine to help Kyiv’s military to maintain U.S.-provided weapons systems. While stressing that the proposal had not yet been submitted to or agreed by President Joe Biden, CNN reported . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from CNN.
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Moscow calls ICC arrest warrants for military leaders ‘absurd.’ From AFP. The Kremlin today dismissed arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for ex-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Army Chief Valery Gerasimov, calling them “absurd” and lacking in legal force. The Hague-based court said Tuesday it had issued the warrants over a barrage of Russian missile strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian sites that . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian troops wipe out three U.S.-made HIMARS rocket launchers in Ukraine operation. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops destroyed three U.S.-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .
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U.S. efforts to sanction Russia, Iran hampered by desire to keep gas prices low, sources tell WSJ, by Nate Ostiller and news desk | The Kyiv Independent U.S. efforts to sanction Russia, Iran, and Venezuela have collided with President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and related desire to keep domestic gas prices low, resulting in measures that are weaker than some in the administration would like to see, the Wall Street Journal reported today, citing sources. READ MORE . . .
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Outgoing Dutch Premier Rutte becomes next NATO chief, by Burak Bir | Anadolu Agency LONDON — NATO allies have selected outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the military alliance’s next secretary general, according to an official statement released today. He will succeed Jens Stoltenberg. READ MORE . . .
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Ukrainians have reached the stage where, exhausted by a sprint, they realize they actually have to run a marathon,’ by Sylvie Kauffmann | Le Monde A new noise has joined the air raid sirens in Kyiv, disturbing the deceptively carefree appearance of the Ukrainian capital under the June sun: the rumble of generators. The din is a . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE to read column in French.