Ukraine, 6-23-22

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio and teleSUR; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. — MCM

   

Estonian PM says don’t play down Russia, by Dasha Litvinova and Harriet Morris | The Associated Press TALLINN, Estonia — Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has told The Associated Press that the West shouldn’t underestimate Russia’s military capabilities in Ukraine, saying Moscow is in it for the long haul as the war enters its fifth month. Kallas said in an interview Wednesday that Europe should ensure that those committing war crimes and attempted genocide are prosecuted, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin escaped punishment for annexing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and supporting an insurgency in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region that killed over 14,000 people even before this year’s war began.“I’ve heard talks that, you know, there is no threat anymore because they have exhausted . . . Click HERE to read more and watch part of interview.

   

Ukraine takes tentative step toward EU membership as Donbas battles reach ‘fearsome climax, by Pavel Polityuk and Vitalii Hnidyi | Reuters * Zelenskiy urges West to speed up heavy weapons deliveries * EU leaders to launch Ukraine membership process * Battle for Donbas twin cities reaches critical stage | KYIV — Ukraine will be accepted as a candidate to join the European Union on Thursday, a move that will boost the country’s morale as the battle with Russian troops for two cities in the east reached what one official called a “fearsome climax”. Although the approval of the Kyiv government’s application by EU leaders meeting in Brussels is just the start of what will be a years-long process, it signifies . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports is driving a global food insecurity crisis. Reported by Franco Ordoñez | National Public Radio President Biden will attend the G7 meeting in Germany, where leaders likely will address Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports along the Black Sea, which is endangering food security in some countries. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.

   

Trio of albums gives saxophonist Charles Lloyd the opportunity to search inward. Reported by Milton Guevara | NPR Musician Charles Lloyd is releasing three different albums featuring three trio ensembles. The first, Chapel, comes out Friday, and Ocean in August and Sacred Thread in October. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.

   

Russia-Ukraine war is likely to overshadow G7 and NATO meetings. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Tamara Keith | NPR President Biden this weekend heads to Europe for the upcoming G7 and NATO summits. He is expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and the influence of China, among other issues. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.

   

Coalition of Journalists Demands Release of Julian Assange. From teleSUR. During a meeting in Geneva Wednesday, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) demanded from the U.K. authorities the immediate and unconditional release of Australian journalist Julian Assange. . . . “If Assange can be threatened with prosecution as a spy, what might that mean for other journalists?” an IFJ member pointed . . . READ MORE . . .

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President AMLO to Ask Biden to Review the Julian Assange Case. From teleSUR. Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Tuesday that he would ask President Joe Biden to review the case of Julian Assange, the Australian journalist whom Washington wants to jail for revelations about U.S. war crimes. in Guantánamo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. “He has been very unfairly treated, worse than a criminal. The treatment he has received is a disgrace to the world,” Lopez Obrador said. “I will . . . READ MORE . . .

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Assange’s Defense: No Guarantees of Fair Trial in the U.S. From teleSUR. The spokesman for Julian Assange’s legal team in Ecuador, lawyer Carlos Poveda, cast doubt Friday that the U.S. justice system will abide by due process in Assange’s case if the Wikileaks founder is tried in the United States. Poveda said there are no guarantees that the U.S. justice system will abide by principles of due process in Assange’s case. “There are already precedents in which the U.S. has not respected the guarantees and its commitments,” he . . . READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED