First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials initials below. Then, via Global Research, links to two writers who contend that the war is about trade. — MCM
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Ukraine marks Independence Day six months after start of war, by Derek Gatopoulos and Inna Varenytsia | AP KYIV — Residents of Kyiv woke up to air raid sirens as Ukraine observed its Independence Day today, which also marked exactly six months since the start of Russia’s military invasion. Authorities in the capital banned large-scale gatherings until tomorrow, fearing the national holiday might bring particularly heavy Russian missile attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the public . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine says Russian ‘shackles’ worse than missiles 6 months after invasion, by Tom Balmforth | Reuters * Zelenskiy defiant, warns of ‘brutal strikes’ by Russia * Aug. 24 holiday marks six months since invasion * U.N. nuclear agency could visit Ukraine plant in days | KYIV — Ukraine was “reborn” when Russia invaded six months ago, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said today, marking 31 years of his country’s independence from the Moscow-controlled Soviet Union with a vow . . . READ MORE . . .
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Over months, the U.S. and allies delivered weapons and other support to Ukraine. Reported by Rachel Martin and Greg Myre | NPR The U.S. and NATO are supplying Ukraine with increasingly powerful and sophisticated weapons. Will the West sustain this level of military support as the war grinds on? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Emmanuel Macron warns ‘sacrifices’ ahead after ‘end of abundance. From AFP. PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron warned today that France faced “sacrifices” in a new era marked by climate change and instability caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that signalled “the end of abundance.” Speaking . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian army slows down advance to reduce civilian casualties — defense minister. From Tass. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — The Russian army deliberately slowed down its advance in the special military operation in Ukraine in order to reduce civilian casualties, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at a meeting of defense chiefs from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states today. “We strictly comply with humanitarian law . . . READ MORE . . .
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6 months of war: The realities in Ukraine. From NPR. It’s been six months since Russia launched its full scale invasion on Ukraine. Now it’s a war of attrition that has led to a global food crisis, inflation across the world and devastation in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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6 months of war: The view from the frontlines. Rachel Martin of NPR talks with Ukrainian politician Volodymyr Omelyan, who left his job and family, and has been fighting on the frontlines for the last six months. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Ukrainian refugees who ended up in Russia must now decide what comes next. Reported by Charles Maynes | NPR Ukrainians who have sought refuge in Russia often face a fundamental choice: accept Russian hospitality and the Kremlin’s vision for Ukraine under Russian rule or risk an uncertain road out. Click HERE to listen and read.
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How Daria Dugina’s death impacts security for Putin allies in Russia. Reported by Mary Louise Kelly, Ayen Bior and Patrick Jarenwattananon | NPR Marlene Laruelle of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at George Washington University talks about Alexander Dugin’s influence in Russia and beyond. Click HERE to listen and read.
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An engineered food and poverty crisis to secure continued U.S. dominance,by Colin Todhunter | Global Research The war in Ukraine is a geopolitical trade and energy conflict. It is largely about the U.S. engaging in a proxy war against Russia and Europe by attempting to separate Europe from Russia and imposing sanctions on Russia to harm Europe and make it further dependent on the United States. Economist Michael Hudson recently stated that ultimately the war is against Europe and Germany. The purpose of the sanctions is to prevent Europe and other allies from increasing their trade and investment with Russia and China. Neoliberal policies since the 1980s . . . READ MORE . . .
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The crisis in Ukraine is not about Ukraine. It’s about Germany. By Mike Whitney | The Unz Review / Global Research The Ukrainian crisis has nothing to do with Ukraine. It’s about Germany and, in particular, a pipeline that connects Germany to Russia called Nord Stream 2. Washington sees the pipeline as a threat to its primacy in Europe and has tried to sabotage the project at every turn. Even so, Nord Stream has pushed ahead and is now fully operational and ready to go. Once German regulators . . . READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED