For today, links to reports from Tass, Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM
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Russia suspends its participation in New START treaty – Putin. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia is suspending its participation in New START, a strategic arms reduction treaty with the United States, but is not withdrawing from it, President Vladimir Putin said in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly today: “Russia is suspending its participation in New START. I repeat, not withdrawing from the treaty, no, but merely suspending its participation.” He stressed that . . . READ MORE . . .
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Putin delivers a nuclear warning to the West over Ukraine, by Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin | Reuters * Putin gives major speech on war in Ukraine * Suspends participation in START nuclear arms treaty * Puts new nuclear weapons on combat duty * Says Russia will resume nuclear tests if U.S. does | MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin today day delivered a nuclear warning to the West over Ukraine, suspending a bilateral nuclear arms control treaty, announcing new strategic systems had been put on combat duty and warning that Moscow could resume nuclear tests. Speaking nearly a year to the day since ordering the invasion of Ukraine, Putin said Russia would achieve its war aims and accused the West of trying to destroy Russia. READ MORE . . .
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Russia suspends only remaining major nuclear treaty with U.S. From AP. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave no sign tday he would change strategy in the Kremlin’s bloody war in Ukraine, and ratcheted up tensions with the West by suspending Moscow’s participation in the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the U.S. In his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address, Putin cast his country — and Ukraine — as victims of Western double-dealing and said it was Russia, not Ukraine, fighting for its very existence. “We aren’t fighting the Ukrainian people, . . . READ MORE . . .
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Putin addresses his nation as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears the 1-year mark. Reported by Leila Fadel and Charles Maynes | NPR Russian President Putin addresses his nation three days before the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the day after President Biden’s unannounced visit to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Biden marks anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a speech in Warsaw. Reported by Leila Fadel and Asma Khalid | NPR U.S. President Joe Biden spoke near this same site 11 months ago at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As the war drags on, he’s back -to boost the morale of NATO and make a plea for the fight to continue. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Biden visits Kyiv and Poland for the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Reported by Asma Khalid | NPR President Biden is marking the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a visit to neighboring Poland after a whirlwind secret trip to Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Russian strikes on Kherson kill at least 6: Ukrainian Army. From AFP. The Ukrainian army southern command spokesman said Russian strikes today killed at least six people in Kherson. “Just during the bloody dictator Putin’s speech . . . peaceful Kherson residents were injured and killed in the middle of the street, in their homes and at their workplace. At the moment . . . READ MORE . . .
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Biden hears Zelenskyy’s plan for peace with Russia during surprise visit to Kyiv. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR President Biden visited Kyiv just shy of a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. He spent time with President Zelensky, who called this visit the most important in U.S.-Ukrainian history. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Russia doesn’t need to beg for funds abroad thanks to healthy balance sheet – Putin. From Tass. MOSCOW — “New sources of financing and investment are the most important issue on the agenda for developing economic growth,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his State of the Nation Address today. “Thanks to a strong balance of payments, Russia does not need to borrow abroad, bow down, beg for money and then have a long dialogue about what, how much and on what conditions . . . READ MORE . . .
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy went from comedian to icon of democracy. This is how he did it. Reported by Frank Langfitt | NPR KYIV — Over the past year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has undergone one of the most dramatic political transformations in modern history. Zelenskyy’s turnaround began the morning of Feb. 24, 2022, as Russian soldiers headed toward Kyiv . . . Click HERE to listen and read.