Biden Dodges On Why He Hasn’t Sanctioned Putin, Says It Is Still On The Table
Daily Caller
Day 8 Close: Russia-Ukraine Agree to Establish Humanitarian Corridors, Kherson Under Russian Control
Image copyright: Reuters [via Al Jazeera]
The Facts
Russian and Ukrainian delegations failed again to reach a cease-fire agreement during a second round of talks in Belarus on Thursday. The two did, however, agree to organize humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians and deliver food and medication.
Earlier in the day, after a 90-min call between Macron and Putin, French officials warned "the worst is yet to come" and that Putin is determined to carry out the war "until the end".
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 a fraudulent election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to re-write 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.