For today, links to seven reports: from the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and the Kyiv Post, and to commentary from Consortium News and Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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Scholz condemns war, urges Russia to negotiate with Ukraine in first call with Putin in nearly 2 years, by Kateryna Hodunova | The Kyiv Independent Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone today, their first direct call in nearly two years, according to a German government statement. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.
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Ukrainian soldiers focus on keeping Russian advances at bay and brace for storm to come from U.S., by Vasilisa Stepanenko and Yehor Konovalov | AP Russia is increasingly hitting the Kharkiv region with unstoppable, building-leveling glide bombs and swarms of drones and chipping away at territory there. Its troops are advancing in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.
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Ukraine arrests army officer accused of spying for Russia. From AFP. Ukrainian authorities today announced the arrest of an army lieutenant colonel accused of leaking classified information about military operations to Russia. READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine repels Russian attempt to enter Kupiansk, military says. From the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian attempts to break into the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukrinfrom reported on Nov. 14, citing the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Click HERE for article and map.
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FROM NOV. 14 Trump picks ‘favorite of the Russians’ Tulsi Gabbard for Intel chief, by Stash Luczkiw | Kyiv Post U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he intends to appoint Tulsi Gabbard, former congresswoman from Hawaii, as the U.S. national director of intelligence. Gabbard has long accused . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for related article of commentary from Consortium News via ScheerPost.
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Blinken, atrocious in a dangerous world, by Binoy Kampmark | Middle East Monitor It is hard to credit one of the least impressive secretaries of state the United States has ever produced with any merit other than . . . READ MORE . . .