First, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Tass, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, commentary from Indian Punchline and Popular Resistance. — MCM
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Ukraine pressed to restore anti-corruption disclosure requirement lifted for war, by Dan Peleschuk | Reuters KYIV — Ukraine is under pressure from international lenders and watchdogs at home to re-impose a requirement that officials publicly declare their assets, a pillar of its anti-corruption policies that was suspended after Russia’s invasion . . . READ MORE . . .
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Pence makes a surprise trip to Ukraine and meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by Jill Colvin | AP NEW YORK — Former Vice President Mike Pence made a surprise visit to Ukraine today, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and touring the war-torn country as it fights Russian aggression. He has called on the U.S. to deliver more military aid to the country and criticized GOP rivals who have questioned the ongoing U.S. involvement as “Putin apologists” and . . . READ MORE . . .
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Mutiny attempt in Russia lesson in giving too much power to PMCs – German chancellor. From Tass. BRUSSELS — The attempt by the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) to stage an armed mutiny in Russia showed the danger of transferring military power into private hands, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said upon arrival at an EU summit on Thursday. “Certainly . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia will be ‘stronger’ in wake of Wagner insurrection: Lavrov. From AFP. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today that Moscow will emerge from the aftermath of a recent armed insurrection by the Wagner mercenary group “stronger” than before. “Russia has always overcome . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine has an array of new Western weapons. What advantages could they offer in a counteroffensive? From AP. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, billions of dollars in military assistance has since poured into the country, including more modern Western-made weapons. Ukraine’s current counteroffensive could offer a glimpse of whether and to what extent the newer weapons systems have strengthened Kyiv’s ability to . . . READ MORE . . .
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Trump, longtime admirer of Putin, says aborted mutiny ‘somewhat weakened’ Russian leader, by Steve Holland and Nathan Layne | Reuters WASHINGTON — Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a longtime admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said tooday Putin has been “somewhat weakened” by an aborted mutiny and that now is the time for the United States to try to broker a negotiated peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine. “I want people to stop dying over this ridiculous . . . READ MORE . . .
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Five days since the revolt in Russia, Putin is still standing — but for how long? Reported by Marc Rivers, Adam Raney and Mary Louise Kelly | NPR Gulnaz Sharafutdinova, professor of Russian politics at King’s College London, is interviewed about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s current hold on power. Click HERE to listen and read.
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A Russian general is believed to have been detained in connection to failed rebellion. Reported by Charles Maynes | NPR A senior Russian general has been detained in Moscow in connection with the failed rebellion of Wagner head Yevgeny Progozhin over the weekend. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Gen. Surovikin, Russia’s former commander in Ukraine, is detained. Reported by Bill Chappell | NPR Gen. Sergei Surovikin, a senior commander in Russia’s war against Ukraine, has been detained, days after an uprising by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin set off widespread speculation about loyalty and schisms within Moscow’s leadership. A U.S. official confirmed Surovikin’s detention to NPR’s Tom Bowman on Thursday, after . . . READ MORE . . .
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Prigozhin goes into exile but left behind a can of worms, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline On Monday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation for the second time with the intention to bring the curtain down on the coup attempt by Wagner “founder” Yevgeny Prigozhin. It was quintessentially a self-congratulatory speech — well-deserved, perhaps. The speech had four principal elements. First, . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian (melo)drama, by Patrick Lawrence | Popular Resistance After a few hours of high drama in southwestern Russia last Saturday, featuring a paramilitary leader, 4,000 to 6,000 followers, and a small column of trucks and other military vehicles driving north toward Moscow, let us try to understand . . . READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED