First, links to reports from Reuters, Tass, the Greanville Post, National Public Radio, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names and initials below. Then, commentary by a freelance journalist.— MCM

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Putin casts war as a battle for Russia’s survival, by Guy Faulconbridge | Reuters  * Putin says Russia battling for survival * Putin says Russian people may not survive * Putin says West trying to disband Russia * Russia to take into account NATO nuclear capability | MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin cast the confrontation with the West over the Ukraine war as an existential battle for the survival of Russia and the Russian people – and said he was forced to take into account NATO’s nuclear capabilities. A year since . . . READ MORE . . .

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West seeks unlimited power, while Russia defends its home – Putin. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia is defending its home and people’s lives, while the West seeks unlimited power, President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the Federal Assembly on Feb. 21. “Those who were planning a new attack on Donetsk and Donbass, and on Lugansk clearly understood . . . READ MORE . . .

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Address by the president of the Russian Federation on Feb. 21. From the Greanville Post. Russian president Vladimir Putin’s long address to the Federal Assembly, Russia’s national legislature, is presented with English subtitles. It is preceded by a brief GP introduction. Click HERE to watch, listen, and read.

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At the G-20 summit, countries couldn’t reach an agreement about Ukraine. Reported by Eyder Peralta and Joanna Kakissis | NPR  More than a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, the fighting grinds on. Meanwhile the Group of 20 leading economies could not agree on a statement about the war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russia says West ‘destabilised’ G-20 talks. From AFP. MOSCOW – Russia on Saturday accused the West of destabilising the Group of 20 finance ministers’ meeting in India by trying to force through a joint statement on Ukraine that stalled because of disagreements. “We regret that the activities of the G-20 continue to be destabilised by the Western collective and used in an anti-Russian . . . READ MORE . . .

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A year into Russia’s war in Ukraine, U.S. ambassador to the UN says diplomacy is still an option. Michel Martin of NPR speaks with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield about what more the UN can do, as Russia’s war enters its second year. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Thousands join Berlin rally calling for Ukraine peace talks. From AP. BERLIN — Thousands of people protested in Berlin on Saturday to condemn Germany’s supply of arms to Ukraine and call for peace talks to end the war. The organizers were criticized . . . READ MORE . . .

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The woman who spoke out against the Ukraine war on Russian TV now lives in France. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley  | NPR  The woman who electrified the world last year when she burst onto the set of a Russian news broadcast to protest the war in Ukraine now lives in France, where she continues to speak out. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Putin’s invasion foretold, by Greg Palast | gregpalast.com As Russian tanks rolled across the border, some of our fellow progressives called it a justified attack in response to a threat from Western military imperialists. The year was 1939. That year, some on the Left, a minority for sure, . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED