Overnight news:
Putin met UN Secretary-General in Moscow, denies hostilities in Mariupol, atrocities in Bucha. The Russian president called the Bucha massacre, where Russian soldiers tortured and killed more than 400 people, a “provocation.”
Russia cut off gas supplies to Bulgaria. There’s a strong pro-Russian sentiment in Bulgaria. Why would they intentionally irritate a friendly country?
At least 400 cases of russians raping Ukrainian civilians, including the kids, were reported on the mental health hotline, said the Ombudswoman.
Poland sanctions 50 Russian firms and oligarchs including Gazprom. Russia has reportedly suspended gas supplies to Poland over its refusal to pay in rubles.
BBC: “Russian forces are occupying towns, threatening journalists and demanding they spread pro-Kremlin views. Those who refuse are forced to close down their operations."
EU-Commission will vote on the rule of law mechanism tomorrow today - triggering sanctions procedure against the Orban government.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian special services of carrying out attacks in a breakaway region of Moldova.
Multiple explosions are heard in the Russian city of Belgorod, about 40km (24 miles) north of the Ukrainian border, according to a local official.
Via RIA Novosti: The leadership of Pridnestrovie will make a decision to protect the interests of the republic- Transnistria
The leadership of the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic will soon make decisions in defense of the interests of the PMR, Oleg Belyakov, co-chairman of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) for managing the peacekeeping operation, told RIA Novosti.
Surprising: “Vice-President of Gazprombank Igor Volobuev left for Ukraine, joined the defense and called the death of top manager Avaev a murder.”
Via CNN - one of my fave leaders prime minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas.
You may want to read her article in the Economist: “Kaja Kallas on the atrocities in Ukraine”
I AM WRITING this essay as the world has woken up to the horrific scenes from Irpin and Bucha, suburbs of Kyiv in Ukraine. We see pictures of mass graves and civilians murdered by Russian troops. These photos remind Estonians of the killings by the Soviet regime and the NKVD, its law-enforcement ministry.
Bless you Michael Weiss…
Really Anders…don’t keep it in. Tell us what you really think. Love Anders.
Looking back…
The Kyiv Independent - Pres Zelensky’s full speech at Munich Security Conference - 19 Feb 2022
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Two days ago I was in Donbas, on the delimitation line. Legally – between Ukraine and the temporarily occupied territories. In fact, the delimitation line between peace and war. Where on the one side there is a kindergarten, and on the other side there is a projectile that hit it. On the one side there is a school, on the other side there is a projectile hitting the school yard.
Now reading…
What’s up with Germany?
Oxana Schmies, Germany’s Zeitenwende: Not a War-Ender, CEPA
The war of imperial aggression launched by the Kremlin on February 24 has ruthlessly exposed German foreign policy. It’s a mess.
Oxana Schmies is a postdoctoral researcher and analyst based in Berlin. She held post-doctoral positions at the University of Erfurt, Humboldt University of Berlin, and the Center of Liberal Modernity (LibMod) in Berlin.
See you later on in the evening for the wrap up…stay tuned!
Mo