Ukraine, 2-20-23

First, links to reports from Reuters, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. Next, a link to an Australian observer’s views on a largely unreported anti-war demonstration Sunday in Washington, D.C. Then, a link to a news release about March demonstrations. — MCM

   

Biden, in Kyiv ahead of war anniversary, vows support as long as needed, by Pavel Polityuk and Max Hunder | Reuters  * U.S. president makes surprise visit to Ukraine * War anniversary seen as motivation for Russian offensive * Zelenskiy says he and Biden discussed long-range weapons * Russia to host high-level visit from China | KYIV—  In an unannounced visit to Kyiv today, U.S. President Joe Biden promised to stand with Ukraine as long as it takes, on a trip timed to upstage the Kremlin ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Biden, in aviator sunglasses, strode side-by-side with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in green battle fatigues, through central Kyiv to a gold-domed cathedral, on a bright winter morning pierced by air raid sirens. READ MORE . . .

   

President Biden makes an unannounced trip to Ukraine’s capital. Reported by Leila Fadel, A Martínez and Frank Langfitt | NPR  Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced a half a billion dollars of additional assistance to Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

Biden says he’ll back Ukraine as long as it takes. But some take aim at the price tag. Reported by Franco Ordoñez | NPR  When President Biden made a secret trip to Ukraine today, he declared that the United States is going to back Ukraine as long as it takes. But after Congress appropriated more than $112 billion in military and economic support in the space of a single year — and with no signs of an end to the conflict — polls show a growing number of Americans feel . . .  Click HERE to listen and read.

   

Biden visits Ukraine ahead of war anniversary: ‘Kyiv stands, by Evan Vucci, John Leicester, Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller | AP  KYIV — President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine today to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a striking gesture of solidarity. He spent more than five hours in the Ukrainian capital, meeting Zelenskyy, honoring the country’s fallen soldiers and meeting with U.S. embassy staff in . . . READ MORE . . .

   

One civilian wounded in Russia’s Belgorod region in shelling from Ukrainian territory. From Tass. MOSCOW — One civilian was wounded in the city of Shebekino in Russia’s southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine as a result of shelling from Ukraine, the region’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said today. Also today, a 12-year-old girl was killed when the Russian village of Novaya Tavolzhanka in the Shebekino district came under shelling from the Ukrainian territory. READ MORE . . .

   

G7 to hold online meeting with Zelensky on Feb 24: Japan PM. From AFP. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said today he would host an online meeting between Group of Seven leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. “So the G7 leaders can remain united to deal with the invasion of Ukraine, I have decided to host a video conference of the G7 leaders, inviting President Zelensky . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Japan PM pledges $5.5 billion in additional Ukraine aid. From AFP. Japan will offer Ukraine fresh financial support worth $5.5 billion, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said today. Japan, this year’s Group of Seven president, has joined Western powers in imposing sanctions on Moscow since the war began on Feb. 24, 2022. It has already provided Ukraine with financial support worth $600 million along with hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of emergency humanitarian assistance, according to . . . READ MORE . . .

   

The power-serving myth that anti-war protests make no difference, by Caitlin Johnstone | caitlinjohnstone.com Thousands of people from across the political spectrum gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC to protest US militarism, proxy warfare and nuclear brinkmanship in Ukraine on Sunday. It’s a start. The ANSWER Coalition has a March on Washington scheduled for March 18th for the 20th anniversary of the Iraq invasion demanding “Negotiations not escalation” in Ukraine and . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Sat., March 18: National March on Washington: Peace in Ukraine – Stop NATO. News release from the Answer Coaltion. Other actions being organized nationwide March 18-19. A wide range of anti-war organizations are uniting for a powerful weekend of action anchored by a demonstration outside the White House, including . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED