Day 177 Roundup: UN Chief Repeats Call for Demilitarization of Nuclear Plant; Attacks Reported in Russia and Crimea

Image copyright: AP Photos [via AP News]

The Facts

  • In a summit with the heads of Ukraine and Turkey on Thurs., the UN's António Guterres reiterated calls for a demilitarized zone at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, held by Russian forces since Mar. 4. The secretary-general said: "Military equipment and personnel should be withdrawn from the plant. Further deployment of forces or equipment to the site must be avoided. The area needs to be demilitarized."

  • Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – who mediated the grain export deal which is also the subject of talks – said: "The focal point of the trilateral meeting was finding a way to end the war." The president went on: "I have preserved my belief that the war will come to an end at the negotiating table."


The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

With strikes increasingly hitting key bridges and ammunition depots in Russian-controlled territory, there's more and more reason to think Ukraine's counteroffensive – a vital step in bringing this war to a close – will be a success.

Establishment-critical narrative

Ukraine's southern offensive has been much talked about, but there's little to show for it in territorial gains other than the recapture of a small town. Not only has there been no Ukraine counteroffensive, it will never come.


Metaculus Prediction


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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