Ukraine, 2-27-23

First, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Tass, National Public Radio, and Consortium News; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a link to a podcast in which an attendee at the Feb. 19 “Rage Against the War Machine” rally describes it. — MCM

   

China urges peace in Ukraine after U.S. warns against aiding Russia, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters  * U.S. warns of ‘real costs to China’ of giving lethal aid * Putin says West, backing Ukraine, seeks to destroy Russia * Zelenskiy says he wants victory over Russia this year | KYIV — China said on Monday it sought dialogue and a peaceful solution for Ukraine despite U.S. warnings that Beijing might be considering weapons supplies for its ally Russia’s invasion. A Russian missile killed one person in the western town of Khmelnitskyi, Mayor Oleksandr Symshyshyn said. China, which declared a “no limits” alliance with Russia shortly before the invasion a year ago, has . . . READ MORE  . . .

   

CIA director: Putin too confident he can grind down Ukraine, by Josh Boak | AP  WILMINGTON, Del. — CIA Director William Burns said Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is being “too confident” in his military’s ability to grind Ukraine into submission. Burns said the head of Russia’s intelligence services had displayed in their November meeting “a sense of cockiness and hubris” that reflected Putin’s own beliefs “that he . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s ground forces commander visits besieged Bakhmut to talk strategy, boost morale, by Oleksandr Kozhukhar | Reuters KYIV — The commander of Ukrainian ground forces Colonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi visited besieged Bakhmut to boost morale and talk strategy with units defending the town and surrounding villages in eastern Ukraine, the military said over the weekend. Military analysts expect that Ukraine’s forces will put their “maximum effort” in coming days into defending Bakhmut, which . . . READ MORE . . .

   

DPR head says Zelensky’s statement on preparing to capture Crimea is publicity stunt. From Tass. MOSCOW — MOSCOW — Denis Pushilin, the interim head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, said today that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s statement that Kiev was preparing military efforts to capture Crimea is nothing but a publicity stunt. “It’s more like an effort to . . . raise the morale of Ukraine’s armed formations. Maybe, . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Switzerland’s parliament is considering a retooling of Swiss neutrality. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR  Switzerland is considering allowing its military hardware to be given to Ukraine. It would be a big change in policy for the traditionally neutral country. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, allies levied more than 11,000 sanctions on Russia. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Rachel Ziemba of the Center for a New American Security about sanctions which have failed to dramatically weaken Russia’s economy, and its ability to finance the war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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The Russia-Ukraine war’s impact on food security 1 year later. Reported by Nurith Aizenman | NPR  Russia’s war on Ukraine affected grain shipments and raised concerns about a global food crisis. A year later, the worst fears about food prices and worldwide hunger failed to materialize. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

9 years on, the meaning of the Maidan protests persists in Ukraine. Reported by Julian Hayda | NPR  Eight years before Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s president fled to Moscow after the Maidan protests forced him from office. Click HERE to listen and read.

   

Western leaders privately say Ukraine can’t win the war, by Joe Lauria | Consortium News French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Zelensky at an Élysée Palace dinner earlier this month that he must consider peace talks with Moscow, the Wall Street Journal reported. According to its source, the newspaper quoted Macron as telling . . . READ MORE . . .

   

More evidence emerges that U.S. wanted Russia to invade, by Joe Lauria | Consortium News Over the past year, additional proof has emerged proving the West’s provocation of Russia to give it its “Vietnam” in Ukraine. * The U.S. backed a coup in 2014, installing an anti-Russian government in Kiev and supporting a war against coup resisters in Donbass. * The 2015 Minsk Accords to end the Ukrainian civil war were never implemented. * On the day of the Feb. 24, 2022 invasion Biden told reporters that economic sanctions were never intended to deter Russia, but to show . . . READ MORE

   

‘Rage Against the War Machine’ Wash DC, Feb 19 – Boots on the ground report. Architect Richard Gage speaks with Christina Tobin of Free and Fair Elections. Tobin reports on the rally in Washington two Sundays ago. Click HERE to watch and listen. 

   

MAY BE CONTINUED