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Dec 23, 2022: NBC News: House passes $1.7 trillion spending bill that rewrites U.S. election law, sending it to Biden to sign
The House on Friday voted to finalize a massive $1.7 trillion government funding bill, sending it to President Joe Biden and marking the end of two years of Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress. The package contains a major boost to military spending and nearly $45 billion in assistance to Ukraine. It overhauls federal election law by revising the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to try to prevent another Jan. 6. The bill funds a swath of domestic programs as well, averting a shutdown and keeping the government funded through next fall. Dec 21, 2022: HuffPost: 3 Years After Trump's Extortion, Zelenskyy Visits White House In First Post-Invasion Trip
President Joe Biden promised Wednesday that the United States would stick with Ukraine “as long as it takes,” as that country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visited the White House in hopes of negotiating an end to the war that Russia started ― and doing so on Ukraine’s terms. Dec 21, 2022: NPR: Zelenskyy was escorted into the Chamber by House Democrats
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was escorted into a packed House Chamber by a welcome committee made up of members of both Congressional chambers. His arrival was met with extended applause from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Escorts from the House included Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-M.D., Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Cali., Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill. He then took to the lectern to address Congress. Dec 21, 2022: The Hill: Zelensky to address Congress amid rising fears of massive Russian winter offensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make his historic visit to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday at a critical time in his country’s war with Russia, as Ukrainian officials warn Moscow is massing upwards of 200,000 troops for a renewed offensive within the first three months of next year. 
The Fatal Blast in Poland Shows the Heightened Risk of Escalation
The intense reaction Tuesday night to the likely false alarm about a Russian missile striking a NATO ally, Poland, was a sobering reminder — if one were needed — of the risks that an already brutal conflict in Ukraine could escalate into a wider war that brings Russia and NATO into military confrontation. There are essentially two concerns. One is that a long, bitter war with forces battling on the ground, and missiles and shells flying through the air, will create accidents and incidents that can become something bigger — for instance, if it were clear that Russia had hit a NATO country, even if by accident, as was the initial fear Tuesday night. 11.16.22 |
Feb 15, 2022: Russia said that it was withdrawing troops from Ukraine's border. But Ukraine said it had not seen any evidence, and both the US and NATO said that Russia appeared to only be adding troops.
Feb 18, 2022: Russia has up to 190,000 troops "in and around" Ukraine, the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) 
Dec 7, 2022: Time: 2022 PERSON OF THE YEAR: VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY
Zelensky’s success as a wartime leader has relied on the fact that courage is contagious. It spread through Ukraine’s political leadership in the first days of the invasion, as everyone realized the President had stuck around. If that seems like a natural thing for a leader to do in a crisis, consider historical precedent. Only six months earlier, the President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani—a far more experienced leader than Zelensky—fled his capital as Taliban forces approached. In 2014, one of Zelensky’s predecessors, Viktor Yanukovych, ran away from Kyiv as protesters closed in on his residence; he still lives in Russia today. Early in the Second World War, the leaders of Albania, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Yugoslavia, among others, fled the advance of the German Wehrmacht and lived out the war in exile. |
ABC30: President Joe Biden calls 'emergency' meeting after missile hits Poland
President Joe Biden called an “emergency” meeting of G7 and NATO leaders in Indonesia Wednesday morning for consultations after NATO-ally Poland said a “Russian-made” missile killed two people in the eastern part of its country near the Ukraine border. 11.15.22
President Joe Biden called an “emergency” meeting of G7 and NATO leaders in Indonesia Wednesday morning for consultations after NATO-ally Poland said a “Russian-made” missile killed two people in the eastern part of its country near the Ukraine border. 11.15.22
Euro-Weekly: BREAKING: German embassy in Kyiv hit by Russian strikes
REPORTS coming out of Germany on Monday, October 10 suggest that the visa office of the German embassy was hit during the heavy Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. 10.10.22
REPORTS coming out of Germany on Monday, October 10 suggest that the visa office of the German embassy was hit during the heavy Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. 10.10.22
As Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, Brussels proposed Thursday to extend four European transport corridors to Ukraine and Moldova, including the ports of Mariupol and Odessa.
Russia's war has in particular highlighted the EU's vulnerability to unforeseen events beyond the Union's borders, and has had major impact on global markets such as global food security. EU Business: Brussels to extend transport corridors to Ukraine, Moldova -July 28. 2022
Russia's war has in particular highlighted the EU's vulnerability to unforeseen events beyond the Union's borders, and has had major impact on global markets such as global food security. EU Business: Brussels to extend transport corridors to Ukraine, Moldova -July 28. 2022
July 21, 2022: BBC: Food crisis: Ukraine grain export deal reached with Russia, says Turkey
Turkey says a deal has been reached with Russia to allow Ukraine to resume exports of grain through the Black Sea.
It is to be signed on Friday in Istanbul by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
The world shortage of Ukrainian grain since Russia's 24 February invasion has left millions at risk of hunger.
Turkey says a deal has been reached with Russia to allow Ukraine to resume exports of grain through the Black Sea.
It is to be signed on Friday in Istanbul by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
The world shortage of Ukrainian grain since Russia's 24 February invasion has left millions at risk of hunger.
April 12, 2022: Christian Headlines: U.N. Assembly Votes to Suspend Russia from Human Rights Council
This week, the United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council amid allegations that Russian soldiers in Ukraine committed human rights violations.
This week, the United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council amid allegations that Russian soldiers in Ukraine committed human rights violations.
"We must remain unified today and tomorrow and the day after ... it will not be easy. There will be cost, but it's a price we have to pay because the darkness that drives autocracy is only no match for the flame of liberty that lights the souls of free people everywhere......In the perennial struggle for democracy and freedom, Ukraine and its people are on the front lines, fighting to save their nation and their brave resistance is part of a larger fight for essential democratic principles that unite all free people." President Joe Biden 3.26.22
Mar 24, 2022: abc Religion & Ethics: Will ostracising Russia bring about an end to the war in Ukraine? The Western media’s narrative might be morally satisfying, but it could prove counterproductive
Putin’s war on Ukraine is an appalling event whose consequences will be with us for a long time. Everything is now worse as a result — from geopolitics to the everyday lives of Ukrainians and, for that matter, Russians. The old Cold War division of the world into two hostile camps is making a comeback, the world economy is under heavy pressure, Europe’s refugee crisis has deepened, many of Ukraine’s cities has been brutally damaged and millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee the country. Foreign policy hawks are resurgent in the United States and elsewhere; political repression in Russia has intensified.
Putin’s war on Ukraine is an appalling event whose consequences will be with us for a long time. Everything is now worse as a result — from geopolitics to the everyday lives of Ukrainians and, for that matter, Russians. The old Cold War division of the world into two hostile camps is making a comeback, the world economy is under heavy pressure, Europe’s refugee crisis has deepened, many of Ukraine’s cities has been brutally damaged and millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee the country. Foreign policy hawks are resurgent in the United States and elsewhere; political repression in Russia has intensified.
Mar 20, 2022: The Guardian: The power of the new Ukraine
Ukraine has been an independent country for more than half Vladimir Putin’s adult life (he turns 70 this year). It’s been a free republic for more than 30 years, long enough for the first generation of Ukrainians born since independence to have school-age children of their own. It’s had seven different leaders, all of them still alive.
Ukraine has been an independent country for more than half Vladimir Putin’s adult life (he turns 70 this year). It’s been a free republic for more than 30 years, long enough for the first generation of Ukrainians born since independence to have school-age children of their own. It’s had seven different leaders, all of them still alive.
March 17, 2022:
Full List of 31 Republicans Who Voted Against Military Aid for Ukraine:
Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, John Boozman of Arkansas, Mike Braun of Indiana, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Ted Cruz of Texas, Steve Daines of Montana, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Josh Hawley of Missouri, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, John Kennedy of Louisiana, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Jim Risch of Idaho, Mitt Romney of Utah, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Rick Scott of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Dan Sullivan of Arkansas, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.
Full List of 31 Republicans Who Voted Against Military Aid for Ukraine:
Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, John Boozman of Arkansas, Mike Braun of Indiana, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Ted Cruz of Texas, Steve Daines of Montana, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Josh Hawley of Missouri, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, John Kennedy of Louisiana, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Jim Risch of Idaho, Mitt Romney of Utah, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Rick Scott of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Dan Sullivan of Arkansas, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.
March 16, 2022:
What sanctions have been imposed on Russia?Luxury goods, vodka and travel
Sending luxury goods to Russia - including vehicles, high-end fashion and art - is being banned by the UK and EU.
The UK will also put a 35% tax on some imports from Russia, including vodka.
A ban on the export of goods used by Russian firms is also being introduced by the UK, EU, US and others.
It includes dual-use goods - items with both a civilian and military purpose - including chemicals and lasers.
All Russian flights have been banned from US, UK, EU and Canadian airspace. The UK has also banned private jets chartered by Russians.
The G7 - an organisation of the seven richest nations - is stripping Russia of its "most favoured nation" status, which means it will lose many trading benefits.
Targeting individuals
The UK, EU and US have imposed sanctions on hundreds of members of the Russian regime, and wealthy business leaders known as oligarchs, who are considered close to the Kremlin.
The UK has put travel bans and asset freezes on former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Along with the EU and US, it has also imposed sanctions on 386 members of the Russian parliament.
The UK also sanctioned Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.
Assets belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov are being frozen in the US, EU, UK and Canada.
The UK is limiting the sale of "golden visas", which allowed wealthy Russians to get British residency rights.
Oil and gas
The US is banning all Russian oil and gas imports and the UK will phase out Russian oil by the end of 2022.
US President Joe Biden said it targets "the main artery of Russia's economy".
The EU, which gets a quarter of its oil and 40% of its gas from Russia, says it will switch to alternative supplies and make Europe independent from Russian energy "well before 2030".
Germany has put on hold permission for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to open.Financial measures
Western countries have frozen the assets of Russia's central bank, to stop it using its $630bn (£470bn) of foreign currency reserves. Other measures against it include:
Other UK sanctions include:
What sanctions have been imposed on Russia?Luxury goods, vodka and travel
Sending luxury goods to Russia - including vehicles, high-end fashion and art - is being banned by the UK and EU.
The UK will also put a 35% tax on some imports from Russia, including vodka.
A ban on the export of goods used by Russian firms is also being introduced by the UK, EU, US and others.
It includes dual-use goods - items with both a civilian and military purpose - including chemicals and lasers.
All Russian flights have been banned from US, UK, EU and Canadian airspace. The UK has also banned private jets chartered by Russians.
The G7 - an organisation of the seven richest nations - is stripping Russia of its "most favoured nation" status, which means it will lose many trading benefits.
Targeting individuals
The UK, EU and US have imposed sanctions on hundreds of members of the Russian regime, and wealthy business leaders known as oligarchs, who are considered close to the Kremlin.
The UK has put travel bans and asset freezes on former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Along with the EU and US, it has also imposed sanctions on 386 members of the Russian parliament.
The UK also sanctioned Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.
Assets belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov are being frozen in the US, EU, UK and Canada.
The UK is limiting the sale of "golden visas", which allowed wealthy Russians to get British residency rights.
Oil and gas
The US is banning all Russian oil and gas imports and the UK will phase out Russian oil by the end of 2022.
US President Joe Biden said it targets "the main artery of Russia's economy".
The EU, which gets a quarter of its oil and 40% of its gas from Russia, says it will switch to alternative supplies and make Europe independent from Russian energy "well before 2030".
Germany has put on hold permission for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to open.Financial measures
Western countries have frozen the assets of Russia's central bank, to stop it using its $630bn (£470bn) of foreign currency reserves. Other measures against it include:
- suspension from the Bank for International Settlements - "the central bank for central banks" - to stop it using its services
- The US, EU and UK have banned people and businesses from dealings with it
Other UK sanctions include:
- major Russian banks excluded from the UK financial system
- all Russian banks have had their assets frozen
- the Russian state and major companies are not be able to raise finance or borrow money in the UK
- a limit placed on deposits Russians can make at UK banks
Mar 15, 2022: Alaska Highway News: Fort St. John raises Ukraine flag
City council voted last month to fly the flag for 30 days in solidarity with Ukraine as it remains under siege from Russia's military invasion.
City council voted last month to fly the flag for 30 days in solidarity with Ukraine as it remains under siege from Russia's military invasion.
Mar 15, 2022: ABC News: Ukraine's Zelenskyy to plead for more US help in virtual address to Congress
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to deliver a historic, virtual address to Congress on Wednesday to plead with the U.S. to do more to help stop Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to deliver a historic, virtual address to Congress on Wednesday to plead with the U.S. to do more to help stop Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Mar 14, 2022: ABC News: Pregnant woman, unborn baby die after Russian bombing of maternity ward
A pregnant woman and her unborn child who were evacuated from a bombed children's hospital and maternity ward in Mariupol, Ukraine, have died, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A pregnant woman and her unborn child who were evacuated from a bombed children's hospital and maternity ward in Mariupol, Ukraine, have died, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mar 14, 2022: ABC News: Russia-Ukraine updates: Russian airstrikes may target Lviv, US official says
Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are putting up "stiff resistance," according to U.S. officials.
Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are putting up "stiff resistance," according to U.S. officials.
Mar 14, 2022: Reuters: Hope for trapped civilians as first convoy escapes besieged Mariupol
Russian forces allowed a first convoy of cars to escape Ukraine's besieged port of Mariupol on Monday after 10 days of failed attempts to relieve civilians dying under relentless bombardment.
Russian forces allowed a first convoy of cars to escape Ukraine's besieged port of Mariupol on Monday after 10 days of failed attempts to relieve civilians dying under relentless bombardment.
March 7, 2022: Raw Story: Russian military communications intercepted after they destroyed 4G towers needed for secure calls
On Monday, following reports of the combat death of Russian General-major Vitaly Gerasimov near Kharkiv, Ukraine, Christo Grozev, the executive director of investigative journalism and intelligence group Bellingcat, reported that Russian forces relaying the news back to their superiors were forced to use an insecure phone line with a local sim card — that was promptly intercepted.
On Monday, following reports of the combat death of Russian General-major Vitaly Gerasimov near Kharkiv, Ukraine, Christo Grozev, the executive director of investigative journalism and intelligence group Bellingcat, reported that Russian forces relaying the news back to their superiors were forced to use an insecure phone line with a local sim card — that was promptly intercepted.
Mar 6, 2022: MSNBC: TikTok suspends livestreams, uploads from Russia
Video sharing app TikTok will limit operations in Russia. In a statement, TikTok said, “In light of Russia’s new ‘fake news’ law, we have no choice but to suspend livestreaming and new content to our video service.”
Video sharing app TikTok will limit operations in Russia. In a statement, TikTok said, “In light of Russia’s new ‘fake news’ law, we have no choice but to suspend livestreaming and new content to our video service.”
Feb 26, 2022: Fox 5: Pro-Ukraine rallies held across NYC
Hundreds of people protesting Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin marched and protested all across New York City again on Saturday.
One of the largest rallies so far was held in Times Square, where protesters marched and drove through the streets in protest of the attack on Ukraine.
Hundreds of people protesting Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin marched and protested all across New York City again on Saturday.
One of the largest rallies so far was held in Times Square, where protesters marched and drove through the streets in protest of the attack on Ukraine.
Feb 25, 2022: Radio Free Europe: UN Warns Russian Invasion Could Force 4 Million Ukrainians To Flee
The United Nations is preparing for up to 4 million refugees from Ukraine if Russia's war against the country continues to escalate.
At least 100,000 people have been uprooted in Ukraine after fleeing their homes following the Russian invasion, while several thousand have already crossed into neighboring countries including Moldova, Romania, and Poland, UN refugee agency spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told a briefing in Geneva on February 25. The UN agency said it stands ready to provide assistance to Ukrainians seeking to escape.
The United Nations is preparing for up to 4 million refugees from Ukraine if Russia's war against the country continues to escalate.
At least 100,000 people have been uprooted in Ukraine after fleeing their homes following the Russian invasion, while several thousand have already crossed into neighboring countries including Moldova, Romania, and Poland, UN refugee agency spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told a briefing in Geneva on February 25. The UN agency said it stands ready to provide assistance to Ukrainians seeking to escape.
Feb 25, 2022: Radio Free Asia: Taiwan joins sanctions against Russia, including semiconductor export ban
Democratic Taiwan on Friday said it would join the U.S. and its allies in imposing sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, in a move that will disrupt exports of cutting-edge technology from the world's biggest contract chip-maker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC).
Democratic Taiwan on Friday said it would join the U.S. and its allies in imposing sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, in a move that will disrupt exports of cutting-edge technology from the world's biggest contract chip-maker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC).
Feb 25, 2022: Radio Free Europe: UN Warns Russian Invasion Could Force 4 Million Ukrainians To Flee
The United Nations is preparing for up to 4 million refugees from Ukraine if Russia's war against the country continues to escalate.
At least 100,000 people have been uprooted in Ukraine after fleeing their homes following the Russian invasion, while several thousand have already crossed into neighboring countries including Moldova, Romania, and Poland, UN refugee agency spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told a briefing in Geneva on February 25. The UN agency said it stands ready to provide assistance to Ukrainians seeking to escape.
The United Nations is preparing for up to 4 million refugees from Ukraine if Russia's war against the country continues to escalate.
At least 100,000 people have been uprooted in Ukraine after fleeing their homes following the Russian invasion, while several thousand have already crossed into neighboring countries including Moldova, Romania, and Poland, UN refugee agency spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told a briefing in Geneva on February 25. The UN agency said it stands ready to provide assistance to Ukrainians seeking to escape.
Feb 22, 2022: Washington Post: U.S. calls Russia’s actions an ‘invasion,’ readies new sanctions; Biden to speak
The White House on Tuesday called Russia’s deployment of troops into two pro-Russian separatist regions of Ukraine “the beginning of an invasion” as it prepared to announce new sanctions on Russia and President Biden planned remarks in the early afternoon.
The White House on Tuesday called Russia’s deployment of troops into two pro-Russian separatist regions of Ukraine “the beginning of an invasion” as it prepared to announce new sanctions on Russia and President Biden planned remarks in the early afternoon.
Feb 19, 2022: Radio Free Europe: Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Will Defend Itself With Or Without Partners Amid Soaring Tensions With Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined calls by Western leaders on February 19 for Russia to de-escalate amid soaring tensions with at least 150,000 Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders fueling fears of an imminent invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined calls by Western leaders on February 19 for Russia to de-escalate amid soaring tensions with at least 150,000 Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders fueling fears of an imminent invasion.
Feb 18, 2022: Jerusalem Post: Separatists in eastern Ukraine say vehicle blown up near their HQ
Russian-backed separatist authorities in eastern Ukraine said on Friday that a parked Jeep with nobody inside had been blown up near a government building in the center of the city of Donetsk.
Russian-backed separatist authorities in eastern Ukraine said on Friday that a parked Jeep with nobody inside had been blown up near a government building in the center of the city of Donetsk.