For now, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, and Agenzia ANSA; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM
– – –
World opinion shifts against Russia as Ukraine worries grow, by Matthew Lee | AP NEW YORK — The tide of international opinion appears to be decisively shifting against Russia, as a number of non-aligned countries are joining the United States and its allies in condemning Moscow’s war in Ukraine and its threats to the principles of the international rules-based order. . . . On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, much of the international community spoke out against the conflict in a rare display of unity at the often fractured United Nations. READ MORE . . .
– – –
Putin invaded to put ‘decent people’ in Kyiv, says Italy’s Berlusconi, by Alvise Armellini | Reuters * Russia’s Putin is a long-time friend of Berlusconi * Berlusconi’s right-wing bloc set to win Sept. 25 election * Italian leader says Putin envisaged a quick war * Pollsters say remarks unlikely to shift votes | ROME — Russian President Vladimir Putin was “pushed” into invading Ukraine and wanted to put “decent people” in charge of Kyiv, former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has said, drawing fierce criticism just ahead of Italy’s election. The Italian leader, whose Forza Italia party belongs to a right-wing coalition expected to win the general election on Sunday . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine begin illegal referendums. From NPR. Referendms began in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine today. The voting is illegal under both Ukrainian and international law. But that hasn’t stopped Moscow from going through with it. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
– – –
Ukraine says recaptured territory in east, as annexation polls open. From AFP. Kyiv said today its forces had recaptured a village in the eastern Donetsk region and territory around another war-scarred town there, as Moscow-proxies held votes on annexation by Russia. “The Ukrainian army has retaken the village of Yatskivka in the Donetsk region,” a senior army official told reporters, adding that Kyiv’s forces had “also regained controlled over positions to the south of Bakhmut,” also in Donetsk, where voting was underway Friday in Russian-controlled territory. READ MORE . . .
– – –
‘War crimes’ committed in Ukraine: UN investigators. From ANSA-AFP. GENEVA — UN investigators said today that war crimes have been committed in the Ukraine conflict, listing Russian bombings of civilians areas, numerous executions, torture and horrific sexual violence. “Based on the evidence gathered by the Commission, it has concluded that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine,” the head of a high-level Commission of Inquiry set up in May to . . .READ MORE . . .
– – –
China and Ukraine foreign ministers meet in New York: Chinese state media. From AFP. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Chinese foreign ministry said today. The meeting was the first between the two since the February invasion of Ukraine by Russia — though they have held two phone calls.
– – –
Japan’s treatment of Ukrainians contrasts with its prior refugee policy. Reported by Anthony Kuhn | NPR Japan has taken in hundreds of Ukrainians fleeing Russia. Japan’s embrace of the Ukrainians contrasts with the less than 1% of refugees from other nations that Tokyo has recently accepted. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
– – –
TO BE CONTINUED