First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, links to commentary from Bloomberg and the Washington Post. — MCM
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Why Xi’s 1st Moscow visit to meet Putin matters. From AP. Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow today for a three-day visit that shows off Beijing’s new swagger in world diplomatic affairs and offers a welcome political lift for Russian President Vladimir Putin just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for himon war crimes charges related to the war in Ukraine. China and Russia have described Xi’s trip . . . READ MORE . . .
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Xi: China’s proposal on Ukraine reflects unity of global views. From Reuters. Chinese President Xi Jinping said today that Beijing’s proposal on how to solve the Ukraine crisis reflects global views and seeks to neutralise consequences, but acknowledged that the solutions are not easy. In an article published at the start of his visit to Moscow, Xi also called for “pragmatism” on Ukraine. The China proposal, a 12-point . . . READ MORE . . .
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A symbolic Moscow meeting between Xi and Putin. Pien Huang of NPR speaks with Joshua Yaffa, author of the book Between Two Fires: Truth, Ambition, and Compromise in Putin’s Russia, about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow this week. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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China sees itself as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war, but many nations disagree. Steve Inskeep of NPR talks with Yun Sun, who directs the China Program at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Stimson Center, about China’s president traveling to Moscow for talks with Russia’s leader. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Putin has made a surprise visit to the occupied city of Mariupol. Reported by Ayesha Rascoe and Charles Maynes | NPR Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to Russian-occupied Mariupol in Ukraine. He also visited Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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EU agrees 2-billion-euro ammunition plan for Ukraine. From AFP. European Union ministers were set to sign today on a two-billion-euro plan to raid their stockpiles and jointly purchase desperately needed artillery shells for Ukraine. Kyiv has complained that its forces are having to ration firepower as . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukrainian military amassing weapons in Zaporozhye for offensive, says regional official. From Tass. MELITOPOL — The Ukrainian military has practically stopped using precision munitions and kamikaze drones in the Zaporozhye area, which can evidence its attempt to amass armaments ahead of a potential offensive in the region, Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the We Are Together with Russia public movement, said today. “The adversary side is actually using no precision weapons now. The deliveries . . . READ MORE . . .
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What motivates Putin and his followers is resentment, by Andreas Kluth | Bloomberg One of the most powerful human motivations is resentment. As the Russian sociologist Grigory Yudin. As the Russian sociologist Gregory Yudin sees it, “resentment — monstrous, endless resentment” is the mental universe of bitterness and grievance that makes Putin and his Russian supporters uninterested in nurturing productive and positive relationships with other countries. In that way, . . . READ MORE . . .
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Blunder: DeSantis’ stance on Ukraine, by Henry Olden | The Washington Post Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has clearly decided he does not want to seem to internationally minded for MAGA Republicans. A recent Economist-You-Gov poll shows that Republicans are about evenly split on . . . READ MORE . . .