● “Happening now: 1. Counteroffensive of the armed forces of Ukraine in a series of combat zones; 2. Exodus of Russian journalist from TV channels underway; 3. The Russian administration looks for allies ready to send soldiers to death on Ukrainian battlefield”.
● U.S. Senate unanimously condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin as “war criminal”. The document gives political support to the White House’s position.
● Mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov freed from Russian detention as a result of special operation.
Peace agreement written with blood
Financial Times reported that Ukraine and Russia have made significant progress on a tentative peace plan including a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal if Kyiv declares neutrality and accepts limits on its armed forces.
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators discussed the proposed deal in full for the first time on Monday. The 15-point draft considered that day would involve Kyiv renouncing its ambitions to join NATO and promising not to host foreign military bases or weaponry in exchange for protection from allies such as the US, UK and Turkey. The head of the Russian delegation earlier said the status of Crimea and Donbas was a key issue for them, as were denazification, the right of the Russophile population and the place of the Russian language.
The dissention was commented on by the Ukrainian presidential office adviser Mikhail Podolyak, who took part in the negotiations: “We realize our partners’ attempt to remain on the pro-active side of the negotiation process. The words about the Swedish or Austrian models of neutrality derive from here. But Ukraine is now in a direct war with the Russian Federation. Consequent, the model can be only “Ukrainian” and only about the “guaranteeing of security”.
A meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Finland, Georgia, Sweden, Ukraine and the European Union took place on Wednesday to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the long-term consequences for NATO. An extraordinary summit of leaders of NATO member states is to take place to strengthen the defensive of the Alliance’s Eastern Flank.
Through President Klaus Iohannis, Romania asked the NATO member states to send more troops and to build up the air and naval presence in Romania. Iohannis also asked to operationalize as soon as possible the NATO battle group on the territory of Romania.
Lavrov considers most of countries support Russia
The Russian press reported that that the minister of foreign affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov in an interview said most of the countries of the world support Russia, but are subject to massive and “dirty” pressure by the U.S. “The pressure is not only unprecedented, but also unimaginable ever”.
UN commented on Russia’s complaints about sweeping Russophobia: “Problems with Russophobia will disappear when we manage to obtain a ceasefire in Ukraine”.
Every illness has a cure
Vladimir Putin is suffering from a brain disorder caused by dementia, Parkinson’s disease or ‘roid rage’ resulting from steroid treatment for cancer, intelligence sources claimed. Citing sources close to the Kremlin, senior figures in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance – comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States – believe there is a physiological explanation for the Russian president’s globally reviled decision to invade Ukraine.
“Who is not with us is against us”?
Russia’s former Deputy Prime Minister, head of the chess world governing body FIDE, Arkady Dvorkovich must be removed from the office of Skolkovo Foundation chairman for his statements about the Ukraine crisis, which were earlier published in Western media. United Russia is for an immediate dismissal of Dvorkovich, the party’s press service said.
Earlier, Vladimir Putin said the “collective West” wants to use the “fifth column” and “national traitors” to destroy Russia, but Russia can make a difference between real patriots and traitors.
Zelensky rewarded with ovations and air defense systems
U.S. lawmakers gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several standing ovations in his address to Congress. Zelensky said that if creating a no-fly zone over his country was “too much to ask”, they ask the U.S. to provide air defense systems such as the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile systems.
Shortly afterward, Joe Biden announced that the U.S. will offer Ukraine US$1 billion in security aid. Washington will help Ukraine acquire additional long-range missile anti-aircraft systems. It will also supply 9,000 anti-armor systems, drones and 7,000 small arms such as machine guns, shotguns and grenade launchers that will help civilians fighting to defend their country.
Riposte to come during 24 hours
In his address to the U.S. Congress, Zelensky said: “We proposed to create an association U-24 united for peace, a union of responsible countries that have the strength and consciousness to stop conflicts immediately, provide all the necessary assistance in 24 hours, if necessary, even weapons, if necessary, sanctions, humanitarian support, political support, finances, everything you need to keep the peace and quickly save the world, to save lives.”
International Court of Justice orders Russia to stop hostilities in Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba welcomed the Court’s decision, saying this is “exactly what Ukraine wants” as the Russian invasion is now recognized at the highest legal level. This means the Court didn’t find any evidence in favor of Russia’s accusations of genocide committed in Ukraine.
The International Court of Justice’s decision was supported by 13 judges, with Russia and China voting against.
