First, links to reports from National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Reuters, Agencia EFE, and teleSUR; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. — MCM
– – –
Ukraine’s soldiers remain outnumbered and outmanned by Russia as they keep fighting. Reported by Emily Feng | National Public Radio Ukraine’s soldiers are determined to repel a Russian invasion. But outgunned and outmanned by Russia, Ukraine’s mounting casualties are taking their toll — and the war has no end in sight. Click HERE to listen and read.
– – –
Putin picks Iran for his first trip out of Russia since the war with Ukraine. Rachel Martin of NPR talks with Anya Borshchevskaya, a Russia expert with the Washington Institute, about the wider strategy of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to Iran. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
– – –
Iran Hosts Putin, Erdogan for Talks Overshadowed by Ukraine War. From Agence France-Presse Iran’s president will host his Russian and Turkish counterparts on Tuesday for talks on the Syrian war in a three-way summit overshadowed by fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The summit is the first hosted by Iran’s ultra-conservative President Ebrahim Raisi since he took office last year, and the second trip abroad by Russia’s Vladimir Putin since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Amid Russia shelling, Ukraine aims to strengthen government, by Susie Blann | The Associated Press KYIV — As Russia kept up its relentless shelling across the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expanded the shakeup of his security services on Monday by suspending 28 more officials, a day after he dismissed two senior officials over allegations that their agencies harbored “collaborators and traitors.” In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said a “personnel audit” of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was underway, and the dismissal of the 28 officials was being decided. “Different levels . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Ukraine’s parliament votes to remove security chief and prosecutor general. From Reuters. KYIV — Ukraine’s parliament dismissed the domestic security chief and prosecutor general on Tuesday, two days after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy suspended them for failing to root out Russian spies. Ivan Bakanov was fired from his position at the helm of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) by a comfortable majority, several lawmakers said . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Borrell: Russia’s war vs. Ukraine, price hikes are ‘test of resilience.’ From Agencia EFE. BRUSSELS — The European Union’s top foreign affairs official, Spain’s Josep Borell, says “European society has to be aware” that the war Russia launched against Ukraine and its affects on increasing inflation and energy costs are “a test of resilience, and we have to have enough resilience to continue supporting Ukraine. We don’t have any other option.” The EU diplomatic chief said at a press conference following . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian president says Russia cannot be isolated. From teleSUR. “We cannot and will not live in isolation from the rest of the world,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday. He made the remarks at a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects,* where he spoke on the sanctions imposed by the West against Russia. “It is well known . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Iranian president hails Erdogan’s visit as ‘turning point.’ From teleSUR. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi today called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Iran “a turning point” in bilateral relations. The two discussed cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crimes. Raisi highlighted . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
* The Kremlin describes the Presidential Council for Strategic Development and National Projects as “a Presidential advisory body established to facilitate cooperation between government bodies at the federal, regional and local levels, and public associations, scientific and other organisations in discussing issues pertaining to the strategic development of the Russian Federation and the implementation of national projects and programmes in the main areas of strategic development of the Russian Federation.”