U.N. sees progress in talks to free up Ukraine grain exports
PBS NewsHourOct 19, 2022
Day 141 Roundup: UN Hails 'Critical Step Forward' Following Meeting on Grain; Shelling Reported Across Ukraine
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Image copyright: Turkish Defense Ministry [via AP News]
The Facts
Following a UN-backed meeting of military delegations in Turkey on Wed., UN Sec. General António Guterres said that Russia and Ukraine have taken a "critical step forward" to allow the safe export of Ukrainian grain. He said "more technical work will now be needed" to reach an agreement, "but the momentum is clear."
Meanwhile, a barrage of Russian shelling has reportedly hit a number of Ukrainian territories in the last 24 hrs. Ukrainian officials said three Russian missiles struck a business center in the central city of Vinnytsia on Thurs. morning, damaging nearby residential buildings. At least 22 people were reportedly killed and 50 more injured.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Western sanctions on Russia have been successful in forcing the country to default on its debt for the first time since 1998, while the Russian economy is expected to face a deep recession and shrink by 10% in 2022. Such restrictions are a practical way of countering the Kremlin's immoral violation of international law.
Establishment-critical narrative
It's hypocritical to impose sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, but not on the US for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons, or on Israel for invading and annexing Arab lands.
