For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, the Moscow Times, Tass, and the Kyiv Independent, and to commentary from the Kyiv Post and NPR; other reports and commentary are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
– – –
Zelenskyy hosts Western leaders in Kyiv as Ukraine marks 2 years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, by Susie Blann | AP KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Western leaders to Kyiv today to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, as Ukrainian forces run low on ammunition and weaponry and foreign aid hangs in the balance. He posted a video from the Hostomel airfield together with several European Union leaders, saying . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
European leaders in Kyiv pledge to back Ukraine on war anniversary, by Olena Harmash and Angelo Amante | Reuters KYIV — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed that Europe would back Ukraine until it was “finally free” as she and three other Western leaders arrived in Kyiv to show solidarity. The prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Belgium — Giorgia Meloni, Justin Trudeau and Alexander De Croo . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
What lies ahead after two years of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Reported by Scott Simon, Charles Maynes and Joanna Kakissis | NPR When Russia invaded Ukraine, it expected a quick fight, like its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Two years in, the war grinds on. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
– – –
Ukraine claims drone strike on major Russian steel plant. From the Moscow Times. Ukraine said today it hit one of Russia’s largest steel plants with a drone strike on the second anniversary of Moscow launching its invasion. Russia reported a fire in the huge Novolipetsk factory in the western Lipetsk region, with images showing a huge . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Kiev loses 425 troops near Avdeyevka over past day — Russia’s top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces struck Ukrainian army units near Avdeyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, killing and wounding roughly 425 enemy personnel over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a bulletin. Details of this and other combat actions that happened over the past week . . .READ MORE . . .
– – –
Generation of fire: Young Ukrainians forced to survive first, plan for future later, by Kate Tsurkan | The Kyiv Independent “The past two years have flown by. It’s hard to keep up with everything that has happened,” said Larysa, 18, who has been living in Vienna, “so . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
What Feb, 24, 2022, means for us – Tsikhanouskaya, Kasparov, Aslund, Kurkov. From Kyiv Post. Prominent political, business and military people, analysts and journalists have shared their thoughts on what this somber date means for them and for all of us. The Post published four others’ views yesterday. SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA: “On Feb. 24, 2022, we entered a new reality. Illusions that . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
The U.S.’s role in conflicts abroad is coming under debate in American politics. Scott Simon of NPR talks with Stephen Walt, a foreign policy expert at Harvard University, about engaging abroad versus staying on the sidelines. It’s a debate roiling American politics. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.