First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, Bloomberg, and Tass,; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Next, a link to commentary from Bloomberg Opinion. Then, a link to commentary from antiwar.com, in which the text of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s speech in Heksinki is linked. — MCM
– – –
China Ukraine envoy urges governments to ‘stop sending weapons to the battlefield,’ negotiate peace, by Joe McDonald | AP BEIJING — China’s Ukraine envoy called on other governments Friday to “stop sending weapons to the battlefield” and appealed . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
U.S. Defense Secretary Austin says Washington won’t stand for ‘coercion and bullying’ from China, by David Rising | AP SINGAPORE — American Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed today that Washington would not stand for any “coercion and bullying” of its allies and partners by China, while assuring . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Indonesia proposes demilitarized zone, UN referendum for Ukraine peace plan. From Reuters. SINGAPORE – Indonesia’s defence minister today proposed a peace plan for the war in Ukraine, calling for a demilitarised zone and a United Nations referendum in what he called disputed territory. Mr Prabowo Subianto proposed a multi-point plan, including . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
What Secretary of State Antony Blinken sees as Russia’s strategic failings in Ukraine. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR Visiting NATO’s newest member, Finland, Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a speech about what he sees as Russia’s strategic failings in Ukraine and promises NATO support for Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and read.
– – –
Zelenskiy says Ukraine ready to launch counteroffensive. From Reuters. Ukraine is ready to launch its long-awaited counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview published today. READ MORE . . .
– – –
Zelenskyy accepts Ukraine cannot become a NATO member until the war ends. Scott Simon of NPR talks with John R. Deni, a research professor at the U.S. Army War College, about developments in Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
– – –
Debt-limit deal won’t restrict U.S. ability to fund Ukraine, by Jordan Fabian and Justin Sink | Bloomberg The bipartisan deal to avert a debt default won’t constrain the Biden administration’s\s ability to provide more . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian precision weapons hit Ukraine’s air defenses shielding key military sites. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by air-launched precision weapons against Ukrainian air defenses shielding key military sites over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Friday in a general briefing. “At night, the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Ukraine war may become a proving ground for AI, by James Stavridis | Bloomberg Opinion For better and worse, the arenas of warfare and geopolitics lend themselves to a variety of ways in which new technologies can suddenly break apart paradigms. Think of Agincourt in 1415, where the flower of the French nobility . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Blinken dismisses calls for a ceasefire, says U.S. must build up Ukraine’s military, by Kyle Anzalone | antiwar.com The United States will focus its efforts on arming Ukraine and not attempting to bring the war to a negotiated settlement, America’s top diplomat said Friday in Finland. Secretary of State Antony Blinken laid out a plan to massively expand Kiev’s military before talks . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
MAY BE CONTINUED