For today, links to 10 reports: from the Kyiv Independent, the Anadolu Agency, Agence France-Prese, Tass, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Reuters, and the Anadolu Agency, and to an article of commentary from Indian Punchline; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Victory plan includes Western-supplied missile package to force Russia to talks, Zelensky says in Brussels, by Martin Fornusek | The Kyiv Independent President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that the victory plan includes placing conventional missile capabilities in Ukraine that would either force Russia to accept negotiations or decimate Moscow’s military targets. READ MORE . . .
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EU Council chief renews bloc’s pledge to back Ukraine ‘as long as it takes,‘ by Nur Asena Erturk and Burc Eruygur | Anadolu Agency ANKARA / ISTANBUL The president of the EU Council, Charles Michel, today renewed the bloc’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. “We are on your side for as long as it takes and whatever . . . READ MORE . . .
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UK issues largest sanctions yet on Russian ‘shadow fleet.’ From AFP. Britain today announced its largest sanctions to date against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers used to sidestep a Western embargo on oil exports after its invasion of Ukraine. The government’s latest crackdown bars . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian forces liberate Maksimilyanovka community in Donbass region over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces liberated the community of Maksimilyanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine’s president will speak to EU leaders about his plan to end the war. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and A Martínez | NPR Ukraine’s president is in Brussels today to speak to European Union leaders about his plan to end the war in a year — without ceding any territory to Russia. Click HERE to listen and, later, read. Click HERE for an AP report.
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‘We must do everything to explore’ ways Ukraine war might end: Scholz. From AFP. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that Berlin wanted to explore ways towards ending the conflict in Ukraine sparked by Russia’s invasion, while stressing this had to happen in concert with Kyiv. READ MORE . . .
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Biden to make farewell trip to Germany as Ukraine war rages. From AFP. BERLlN — U.S. President Joe Biden will be in Germany on Friday on a whirlwind trip, with Western backing for Ukraine set to be high on the agenda at talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other NATO leaders. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for AP and Reuters reports.
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FROM OCT. 16 NATO pledges nearly $43.5B in military aid for Ukraine: Mark Rutte, by Merve Berker | Anadolu Agency ANKARA — NATO’s new chief on Wednesday announced a military aid package for Ukraine of over $40 billion, reaffirming the alliance’s long-term commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s war. Secretary-General Mark Rutte stressed . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for a report from Reuters.
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FROM OCT. 14 Between Russia and Iran all’s well that ends well, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline Russia and Iran have had a difficult relationship through centuries. It remains complicated, as the protracted negotiations over their strategic partnership treaty have shown. READ MORE . . .