First, a link to analysis by the Berkshire Eagle’s foreign affairs writer. NOTE: Owing to unusual technical difficulties beginning in late morning possibly related to the cold snap in the Northeast, a selection of eight links to news items have been added one link at a time. They are to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM
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Will the Kremlin face Crimean War II? by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle NATO nations are showering on Ukraine hundreds of tanks from Germany, Britain, France, Poland and the U.S. along with hundreds of fighting vehicles from Canada, Germany and the U.S. These lethal machines are not defensive weapons. What will this offensive target? Ukraine threatens to retake the Crimean peninsula, undoing . . . READ MORE . . .
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Major accident in Odesa deals new blow to Ukraine’s power grid, prime minister says. From Reuters. KYIV — A serious accident at a high-voltage substation has caused widespread power outages in and around Ukraine’s southern port city of Odesa, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Saturday. “The situation . . . READ MORE . . .
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Dozens of soldiers freed in Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap, by Susie Blann | AP KYIV — Dozens of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war have returned home following a prisoner swap, officials on both sides said today. Top Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak said 116 Ukrainians were freed. Russian defense officials said 63 Russian troops had returned from Ukraine following the swap, including . . . READ MORE . . .
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France, Italy to send missile systems to Ukraine. From AFP. France and Italy have agreed to deliver mobile surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine, the French defence ministry said Friday. The systems, called MAMBA or SAMP/T, are a vehicle-mounted battery of medium-range missiles designed to offer protection from airborne . . . READ MORE . . .
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EU prepares more Russia sanctions; Kremlin readies offensive, by Susie Blann | AP KYIV — The European Union will unveil its 10th package of sanctions against Russia on Feb. 24, a senior official from the bloc said in Kyiv on Friday, as Ukrainian forces gird for an expected Russian offensive. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told . . . READ MORE . . .
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EU-Ukraine summit members to be upset, Russia to achieve goals of special operation – MFA. From Tass. MOSCOW — The goals of Russia’s special military operation will be achieved, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today. “Western attempts are futile, she said. “As the Russian leadership has reiterated, the goals . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia’s Medvedev says more U.S. weapons supplies mean ‘all of Ukraine will burn.’ From Reuters. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said the supply of more advanced U.S. weaponry to Ukraine will only trigger more retaliatory strikes from Russia, up to the extent of Russia’s nuclear doctrine. “All of Ukraine that remains under Kyiv’s rule will burn,” journalist Nadana Fridrikhson quoted . . . READ MORE . . .
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G7, Australia reach deal on oil price caps after EU. From AFP. The Group of Seven industrialized countries and Australia have reached agreement on price caps for Russian petroleum products, the group said in a statement Friday, after a similar announcement by the EU. There are two price levels . . . READ MORE . . .
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A Ukrainian photojournalist reflects on documenting a year of war. Scott Simon of NPR talks with Evgeniy Maloletka, an Ukrainian photojournalist, about what it’s been like documenting a year of war in his country. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.