For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally, via Popular Resistance, recently published commentary from Indian Punchline and Consortium News. — MCM
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Russia launches more air strikes on Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine as NATO meets, From Reuters. Russia launched a wave of kamikaze drone attacks on Kyiv and other cities for a second night in row, Ukraine’s military said today, hours before President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was due to meet NATO leaders at a summit in Lithuania. Ukraine’s defence forces shot down 11 of 15 Shahed drones, according to . . . READ MORE . . .
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NATO prepared to back Ukraine in its fight against Russia — but not to extend membership, by Chris Megerian, Lorne Cook and Seung Min Kim | AP VILNIUS, Lithuania — NATO leaders gathered today to launch a highly symbolic new forum for ties with Ukraine, after committing to provide the country with more military assistance for fighting Russia but only vague assurances of future membership. The new NATO-Ukraine Council is a permanent body where the 31 allies and Ukraine can hold consultations and . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine, Russia report heavy fighting in east, south. From Reuters. Ukraine’s military on Tuesday reported heavy fighting in the east and southeast, the main theatres of its drive to recapture land seized by Russian invaders, saying its forces had repelled dozens of enemy attacks. Russian accounts from the front line also outlined clashes, including . . . READ MORE . . .
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Kiev lost over 26,000 during its so-called counter-offensive — Russian minister. From Tass. MOSCOW — Starting from June 4, the armed forces of Ukraine lost over 26,000 servicemen and more than 3,000 items of military hardware during their so-called counter-offensive, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said in a briefing. In his words, Russian troops destroyed . . . READ MORE . . .
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What’s happening at the NATO summit. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR Thirty-one countries are meeting in the capital of the Baltic country of Lithuania for a crucial NATO summit that is taking place in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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U.S. domestic instability might make the world a more dangerous place, diplomat says. A Martinez of NPR talks with veteran diplomat Richard Haass about prospects for peace in Ukraine, NATO’s potential, global threats and the future of U.S. foreign policy. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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What to expect from NATO Summit 2023, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline The trajectory of the Ukraine war hangs in the balance. All eyes are on the U.S. President Joe Biden’s arrival in Vilnius for the NATO summit meeting (June 11-12.) Biden got a big boost already . . . READ MORE . . .
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NATO summit, a theater of the absurd, by Scott Ritter | Consortium News The NATO alliance’s 33rd summit is an event that has come to symbolize the military organization’s increasingly difficult task of transforming political will into tangible reality. Since the Wales Summit of 2014, when . . . READ MORE . . .