Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Zelenskyy warns of ramped-up Russian offensive in the east
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Day 48 Roundup: Putin Ally Captured, Chemical Weapons Allegedly Used in Mariupol
Image copyright: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka [via The Telegraph]
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
It's hypocritical for the West to so widely denounce Russia for unverified claims of using white phosphorous as a chemical weapon, when no one wants to even investigate, let alone condemn, its documented recent use by Turkey against Kurds and Israel against Palestinians.
Anti-Russia narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after a fraudulent election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.