Ukraine, 5-4-23

For now, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Next, via GlobalResearch, an analysis by a Centre for Geostrategic Studies researcher. Finally for today, from Consortium News, a link to an edited print version of a talk in April by a longtime observer of European, Asian and American international policies; it begins with an introduction that includes a link to a Greek economist’s related remarks. — MCM

   

Moscow says U.S. behind Kremlin drone attack, Russian forces target Kyiv, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters  * Moscow says U.S., Kyiv can’t ‘disown’ drone attack on Kremlin * Russia has accused Ukraine of trying to assassinate Putin * White House, Kyiv deny Russian accusations of involvement * Russian drones target Kyiv, other cities * Zelenskiy visits The Hague, says Putin must face justice | KYIV — Russia said Thursday that the United States was behind what it says was a drone attack on the Kremlin that aimed to kill President Vladimir Putin, while Moscow’s forces fired more combat drones at Ukrainian cities including the capital . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Real or not, reported Kremlin drone attack unsettles Russia, by Jim Heintz | AP  TALLINN — As Russian officials tell it, two Ukrainian drones flew into the very heart of Moscow under the cover of darkness, reaching the Kremlin before they were shot down at the last minute. A cloud of questions hangs over the claim. Why did . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russia says Ukraine tried to attack the Kremlin in an attempt to assassinate Putin. Reported by A Martínez and Greg Myre | NPR  The Kremlin, the home and office of the Russian leader in the center of Moscow, was hit by a pair of drones. But who did it and how? That’s the subject of a fierce debate between Russia and Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

Hungary’s top diplomat urges efforts to prevent direct NATO-Russia confrontation. From Tass. BUDAPEST — Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto today called on NATO to make every effort to stay out of direct involvement in the armed conflict in Ukraine or direct confrontation with Russia. In an interview . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russian forces strike command posts of two Ukrainian army brigades, top brass reports. From Tass. MOSCOW  — Russian forces struck command posts of two Ukrainian army brigades and a special operations center over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said today in a briefing covering . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine ‘realistic’ about not joining NATO during war: Zelensky. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said tday Ukraine was “realistic” that it would not be able to join NATO while still fighting Russia. He added,”But we want a very clear message that we will be in NATO after . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Kiev’s counterattack unlikely to be successful due to big casualties, by Lucas Leiroz | Infobrics / GlobalResearch Ukrainian plans to launch a counteroffensive look rather difficult to implement. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Tuesday the government estimates that more than 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers were neutralized — killed or seriously wounded — in April. According to Shoigu, . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Europe’s fate, by Patrick Lawrence | Consortium News If Emmanuel Macron got one thing done above all others during his recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, it was to put the question of Europe’s place in the global order before a lot of people who would rather not think about it. The French president once again questioned Europe’s status in the Atlantic alliance, notably . . . READ MORE . . .

   

MAY BE CONTINUED