First grain shipment leaves Ukraine after months of Russian blockade amid food crisis
FOX NewsDec 26, 2022
Day 160 Roundup: Russia Accused of Using Power Plant as 'Nuclear Shield'; Ukrainian Grain Arrives in Istanbul
Image copyright: AP Photos [via The New York Post]
The Facts
US Sec. of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of using the Zaporizhzhia plant – Ukraine's biggest nuclear energy plant that was occupied by Kremlin forces in the first days of the war – as a "nuclear shield." Speaking at non-proliferation talks at the UN's New York headquarters on Mon., Blinken said he was "deeply concerned" that Russian forces appeared to be stationed at the plant and were using the location to fire at Ukrainian troops who were unable to return fire due to the danger.
The allegation followed remarks by UN Sec. General António Guterres, who said: "Today, humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation." Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin also addressed the conference, insisting the country remained faithful to nuclear non-proliferation treaties, and adding that "there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed."
The Spin
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 an 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.