First, links to reports from Le Monde and Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Next, commentary from the Los Angeles Times. Then, via Consortium News, commentary from Common Dreams. — MCM
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In Beijing, Macron says China can play ‘major role’ in finding ‘path to peace’ in Ukraine. From Le Monde and AFP. French President Emmanuel Macron said today, ahead of a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, Macron said France would seek to work with China “in this shared responsibility for peace and stability” in Ukraine. “China, with . . . READ MORE . . . [Click HERE for a report in French by two AFP reporters.]
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Zelenskyy visits Poland to thank ally and meet Ukrainians, by Vanessa Gera | AP WARSAW — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife were welcomed with military honors, tributes and praise in Poland today at the start of a state visit meant as a gesture of thanks by Kyiv to its neighbor for its crucial support in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion. The visit is. . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy visits Poland as allies step up military aid, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters * Heavy fighting reported around Bakhmut * Zelenskiy visits Poland, Macron to press China * Washington pledges billions more as Ukraine readies offensive | KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Poland on Wednesday, buoyed by the latest announcement of U.S. military aid, as Russian troops pressed on with their long and costly battle to seize the eastern city of Bakhmut. French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, was visiting China after he and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed they would try to engage Beijing to hasten the end of the Russian assault on Ukraine. Beijing has called . . . READ MORE . . .
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In Ukraine, the grief-stricken bear the pain of war. From AP. KYIV — Mothers burying their sons, children burying their fathers. As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, men and women have been dying in droves on the front lines, fighting off Russia’s invasion of their country. For them, the fight is over. They . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian forces thwart Kiev’s attempts to advance in several areas in Donbass, says LPR. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces thwarted the Ukrainian army’s attempts to advance in several areas in Donbass over the past day, Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) people’s militia retired Lt. Col. Andrey Marochko said today. “The enemy suffered quite heavy losses and returned to its initial positions.” He said the enemy was advancing all around in . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia detains woman in connection with bombing that killed military blogger. Reported by Charles Maynes | NPR Russia has formally charged a 26 year woman with terrorism in connection with last weekend’s bombing in a Saint Petersburg cafe which killed a prominent Russian military blogger and injured dozens. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Ukraine is counting on its spring offensive against Russia. Biden has a stake in it too, by Doyle McManus | Los Angeles Times “We’re providing the systems they needed six months ago,” says retired Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO. “War is not a mathematical equation. You need to overprovide. Now is the time to give Ukraine what they need in order to avoid the political calendar next year.” In fact, the U.S. political calendar . . . READ MORE . . .
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U.S. diplomacy — war, never peace, by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies | Common Dreams In 1998, then-Secretary of State Madeline Albright toured the Middle East and then the United States to rally support for President Bill Clinton’s threat to bomb Iraq. After failing to win support in the Middle East, she was confronted by heckling and critical questions during a televised event at Ohio State University, and she appeared on the Today Show the next morning to respond . . . READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED