This updated post first links to reports and photos from the Associated Press, Reuters and TeleSUR, then to several reports from Sunday’s and today’s “Morning Edition” on National Public Radio. — MCM
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In Ukraine and internationally, scenario darkens for Russia, by Oleksandr Stashevskiyi and Ciaran McQuillan | The Associated Press KYIV — Europe pushed today to sharpen and expand its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Sweden poised to follow Finland in seeking membership of NATO and European Union officials working to rescue proposed sanctions that would target the Russian oil exports helping finance the war. On the ground, Russia saw more setbacks in its offensive in the east, where Ukrainian defenders are fighting desperately against attempted advances and even successfully rolling back the front lines in some areas. . . . [A patrol of Ukrainian soldiers] recorded triumphant video of their push to the Russian border in the region of Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces have already driven Russian troops back from the region’s capital . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian forces fall back in northeast Ukraine, McDonald’s retreats from Moscow, by Jonathan Landay and Tom Balmforth | Reuters* Ukraine says its forces have pushed through to Russian border * Russia warns of consequences over Finland, Sweden NATO move * NATO chief says Russian offensive not going to plan * Situation still tough in south | RUSKA LOZOVA, Ukraine/KYIV — Ukrainian troops have pushed Russian forces back from the northeastern city of Kharkiv and some have advanced as far as the border with Russia, Ukrainian officials said today. The developments, if confirmed, would signal a further shift in momentum in favour of Ukraine . . . Sweden meanwhile was expected to take a formal decision on today to apply to join NATO following a similar move by Finland — a change in the Nordic countries’ long-standing policy of neutrality brought on by the Russian invasion and concern about President Vladimir Putin’s wider ambitions. . . . Moscow warned of “far-reaching consequences” should they should go ahead. And in another setback for Putin, McDonald’s Corp MCD.N, the world’s largest fast food chain, said it was pulling out of Russia because of the conflict. In Brussels, the European Union was working on a package of further economic sanctions on Russia . . . READ MORE . . .
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Surging natural gas prices squeeze U.S. industrial sector, by Marcy de Luna and Bianca Flowers |Reuters HOUSTON/CHICAGO — Skyrocketing natural gas prices have raised manufacturing and transportation costs across many U.S. industries, and the situation should persist as the United States exports more gas to Europe to make up for Russian supplies lost to sanctions. U.S. natural gas futures have doubled this year, far more than the increases in retail gasoline and diesel that have made Americans angry at the U.S. energy industry and the government. Many industrial company executives believe . . . READ MORE . . .
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‘No Other Nation Fosters Neo-nazism Like Ukraine’, Putin Warns. From TeleSUR. At the opening of a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) today, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the indifference of Western countries to the Ukrainian sponsoring of neo-Nazism. “There are extremists everywhere, but in no country other than Ukraine do the authorities encourage tribute to neo-nazis in mass marches with torches and fascist symbols,” Putin highlighted, stressing that this situation will eventually affect Western countries’ interests. OTSC countries condemned attempts to falsify historical events related to the fight against nazism. They also stressed . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine makes advances in the northeast around Kharkiv. Reported by Jason Beaubien | National Public Radio Ukrainian troops are pushing Russian troops away from the country’s second largest city. That is allowing residents to move out of subway stations and try to resume something of a normal life. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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A Ukrainian band is this year’s Eurovision Song Contest winner. Reported by NPR. The band Kalush Orchestra mixes traditional folk music with contemporary hip hop. Their song “Stefania” took the first-place prize. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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Finland monitors Russia’s movements as it waits for acceptance into NATO. NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks to Mikko Hautala, Finnish ambassador to the United States, about his country’s bid to join NATO after decades of remaining neutral. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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Volunteers in Ukraine risk their lives to distribute supplies under constant shelling. Reported by Eyder Peralta | NPR In some Eastern Ukraine cities, volunteers risk their lives to deliver food and medicine to those afraid to leave their homes because of constant shelling. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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McConnell says the Senate will pass the largest Ukraine aid package yet on Wednesday. Reported by Deirdre Walsh | NPR. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who led a delegation of Senate Republicans to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday said he expected the Senate to approve a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine on Wednesday. McConnell said he supported adding Russia to the list of state sponsors of terrorism and would back holding a vote on the issue, but urged President Biden to do it on his own. Speaking from Stockholm . . . Click HERE to read more and listen.
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McConnell heads to Kyiv and becomes the latest U.S. official to meet with Zelenskyy. Reported by Greg Myra | NPR. LVIV, Ukraine — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joins a list of U.S. leaders who have visited Ukraine, heading a delegation of four Republican senators to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Zelenskyy described Saturday’s visit as “a strong signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the United States Congress.” Sens. Susan Collins, John Cornyn and John Barrasso joined McConnell on this trip, which came amid a hold-up in the Senate over a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine. McDonald’s is exiting Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, pulling out of a market it’s been a part of for 32 years. The fast-food giant had previously paused its operations in Russia less than two weeks into the brutal conflict being waged over Ukraine’s future. Click here to listen and read.
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McDonald’s is leaving Russia, after more than 30 years. Reported by Bill Chappell | NPR. McDonald’s is exiting Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, pulling out of a market it’s been a part of for 32 years. The fast-food giant had previously paused its operations in Russia less than two weeks into the brutal conflict being waged over Ukraine’s future. McDonald’s wants to sell its entire slate of restaurants in the country to a Russian buyer. To prepare for that sale, it will start “de-arching” , , , Click HERE to read more and listen.
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TO BE CONTINUED