First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, via Consortium News, an article by a former diplomat published last Thursday by Indian Punchline (each presentation has a difference map). Finally for today, via Popular Resistance, a link to a half-hour interview on The Watchdog, an online Internet program.— MCM
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China, Ukraine leaders speak for first time since war began, by David Rising and Joe McDonald | AP KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had a “long and meaningful” phone conversation today, their first known contact since Russia invaded Ukraine more than a year ago. The phone call lasted nearly an hour and was a significant . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine launching tech cluster to boost military capability, by Hanna Arhirova | AP KYIV — The Ukrainian government is launching an initiative today to streamline and promote innovation in the development of drones and other technologies that have been critical during Russia’s war in Ukraine. It hopes to bring state, military, and private sector developers working on defense issues together into a tech cluster that would give Ukraine a battlefield advantage. “Considering the enemy that is right next to us and its scale . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia’s Lavrov warns EU becoming militarized now, like NATO, by Edith M. Lederer | AP UNITED NATIONS — Russia’s top diplomat warned Tuesday that the European Union “is becoming militarized at a record rate” and aggressive in its goal of containing Russia. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he has no doubts that there is now “very little difference” between the EU and NATO. Lavrov . . . READ MORE . . .
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Kiev plans to be fully prepared for EU accession in two years – prime minister. From Tass. ROME — Ukraine hopes to be “fully prepared” for EU membership in two years, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said today. “We are certain that together with our allies we will implement an emergency reconstruction program that . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine stages raids across Dnipro River as counteroffensive looms, by Olena Harmash | Reuters KYIV — Ukrainian forces based on the western side of the River Dnipro are frequently carrying out raids on the eastern bank near the city of Kherson to try to dislodge Russian troops, a regional official said on Tuesday.Russian forces have held the eastern side of the Dnipro near Kherson since retreating from the southern city in November after . . . READ MORE . . .
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Zaporozhye official terms constant Ukrainian attacks on nuke plant premises as ‘terrorism’. From Tass. MELITOPOL — Incessant attacks by Ukrainian troops on the territory immediately adjacent to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) constitutes global terrorism, Yevgeny Balitsky, acting governor of the Zaporozhye Region, said today, on the 37th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. He added that such a catastrophe . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine: Stalemate in an attritional war? by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline / Consortium News In reality, Ukraine is haemorrhaging. It is in the nature of attritional wars that at some point, the weaker side breaks and thereupon, the end comes very fast. The attritional war in Ukraine may look “stalemated” but the clincher will be which side is inflicting the greater casualties. There is no question . . . READ MORE . . .
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The Ukraine kill list and weaponizing anti-Semitism, by Lowkey | Mintpress News / Resistance Report In an interview, academic and public intellectual David Miller sheds light on the British military’s involvement in propaganda and misinformation through the enigmatic 77th Brigade, which has been training Ukrainian special forces. The conflict of interest concerns raised by MP Tobias Elwood’s dual role as a member of parliament and part of the Ministry of Defense adds . . . READ MORE . . .