Ukraine: Russia’s annexation puts world ‘two or three steps away’ from nuclear war

President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of the annexation of four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine signals the onset of a new and highly dangerous phase in the seven-month war, one that Western officials and analysts fear could escalate to the use of nuclear weapons for the first time in 77 years.

Read more at: https://www.washingtonpost.com

Russia: Bread and Autocracy in Putin’s Russia

Food has been crucial to the survival of regimes since the emergence of early states. Yet despite its significance, until recently food availability was rarely discussed as a principal political issue outside the global South. This essay centers on the political role of food in Putin’s Russia and the Kremlin’s long­­­­­­standing goal of establishing nutritional autarky that would insulate the regime from dependence on food imports. We present the origins of Putin’s food policies, their ideological basis and the forms that they have taken since early 2000s. We also discuss Russia’s use of food as a weapon during the 2022 war in Ukraine.

Read More at: Bread and Autocracy in Putin’s Russia | Journal of Democracy

Russian Invasion Ukraine: Putin Unable to Match People to Equipment in Ukraine War: UK Defense Chief says

Russian President Vladimir Putin is struggling to match troops to equipment as his military suffers from low morale and recruitment struggles amid its invasion of Ukraine, said United Kingdom Defense Chief Sir Tony Radakin on Sunday.

Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in late February, initially hoping for a quick victory. However, the Russian military was met with a stronger than expected defense from Ukraine, who has largely held its own during the war.

Fighting has been concentrated in only the easternmost region of the country in recent months, and Russia has not achieved its stated goal to "liberate" Donbas, a separatist region in Eastern Ukraine. Military experts have given a myriad of potential reasons for Russia's failure to quickly take Ukraine, with many citing weaknesses within Russian troops.

Read more at: Putin Unable to Match People to Equipment in Ukraine War: UK Defense Chief

Russia: efiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war

ladimir Putin delivered a chilling warning to the west over the imposition of sanctions on Russia on Saturday, warning that measures designed to cripple his country’s economy were “akin to an act of war”.

In comments that were both defiant and threatening, the Russian president also told Ukraine’s leaders that their nation risked being dismantled as an independent sovereign state if they continued to resist Russia’s invasion.

“The current leadership needs to understand that if they continue doing what they are doing, they risk the future of Ukrainian statehood,” Putin said. “If that happens they will have to be blamed for that.”

Read more at Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war | Ukraine | The Guardian

Russia Ukraine Invasion: How Putin’s War in Ukraine Has Ruined Russia

Thirty years ago this spring, Russia was at the beginning of what would be a dramatic, although uneven, economic recovery following the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991. At the moment of the Soviet collapse, Russia inherited a budget deficit that was conservatively estimated at 20 percent of GNP, it faced the threat of hyperinflation, economic growth was negative, there were shortages throughout the economy, foreign reserves were virtually nonexistent, and it was racking up a mountain of international loan commitments. The state faced the realistic threat of famine and bankruptcy. In the decades that followed, however, Russia traveled a long way down the road of economic and social modernization. This was partially due to high global prices for its exports. The country also benefited from good macroeconomic policy and the stewardship of Elvira Nabiullina, the smart and surprisingly independent chairwoman of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) since 2013. Despite Vladimir Putin’s propensity to use public assets for his own personal benefit and that of his former KGB cronies, by 23 February 2022, the day before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the country had paid off its debts, built up sizeable foreign reserves, and for the most part maintained a budget surplus.

Read more at: How Putin’s War in Ukraine Has Ruined Russia | Journal of Democracy

Russia: Could Putin actually fall from power in Russia?

As Russia’s war in Ukraine looks increasingly disastrous, speculation has mounted that President Vladimir Putin’s misstep could prove to be his downfall. A litany of pundits and experts have predicted that frustration with the war’s costs and crushing economic sanctions could lead to the collapse of his regime.

“Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine will result in the downfall of him and his friends,” David Rothkopf declared in the Daily Beast. “If history is any guide, his overreach and his miscalculations, his weaknesses as a strategist, and the flaws in his character will undo him.”

But what events could actually bring down Putin? And how likely might they be in the foreseeable future? Get in-depth coverage about R

Read more at: Could Putin actually fall from power in Russia? - Vox

Ukraine-Russia war : Putin's health 'been failing for 5 years' & he's rumoured to have undergone new surgery

Putin's health rumours have further intensified as now it is claimed that the tyrant is currently undergoing chemo treatment.

The 69-year-old looked dazed and bloated as he sat across from defence giant Sergey Chemezov.

The clip, broadcast on Russian state TV, shows the leader with his chin resting on his chest and his hands gripping the table during the talks with his former KGB pal.

At several points in the video, Putin is seen retching and seems unable to speak properly, the Mirror UK reports. Despite this, the Kremlin has publicly stated that Putin is fit and well, and has denied any claims of ill health.

Read moreat: Ukraine-Russia war latest LIVE: Putin's health 'been failing for 5 years' & he's rumoured to have undergone new surgery

Ukraine War Likely Ends With Putin's Death says Official - by Thomas Kika

A major Ukrainian official implied that Russia's invasion of the country can only end with the death of its leader, Vladimir Putin.

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Chief, spoke with The New Voice of Ukraine in an interview published on Monday. Budanov said it was very likely that the Russian invasion of Ukraine will result in Putin's demise, and said that his country's victory is assured.

"Don't worry, Ukraine will win," Budanov said.

Read more at: Ukraine War Likely Ends With Putin's Death: Official

Russia - Ukraine invasion: Putin Preparing Russians for War With NATO

Recent threats made by Russian officials about retaliation against countries interfering in Ukraine may serve a dual purpose of warning off Western powers while also building favor among Russian citizens should a full conflict with NATO break out, according to experts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a Wednesday address that any countries who "create a strategic threat to Russia" during its war in Ukraine can expect "retaliatory strikes" that would be "lightning-fast." Days before, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview that "NATO is essentially going to war with Russia through a proxy and arming that proxy."

Various experts who spoke with Newsweek recently said Russian officials have increased the amount of threatening rhetoric as a way of stoking fear in NATO allies. Some experts also feel it's an effort to win over the hearts and minds of the Russian public.

Read more at: Putin Preparing Russians for War With NATO

Russia and failed Ukraine invasion: Moscow protester says 'no future' for Russia under Putin as anger grows

Tens of thousands of people around the world have taken to the streets over the last week to protest against the Russian tyrant's unprovoked attack on Ukraine. In Russia, citizens in cities spanning from Moscow to Siberia have defied threats of arrest to send their leader a clear message - "No to War" - in a series of recent demonstrations. Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, many people ended up being arrested and detained by Russian police.

Read more at Russia news: Moscow protester says 'no future' for Russia under Putin as anger grows | World | News | Express.co.uk

Ukraine Crises: Russia: Fewer independent media outlets every day

It sounds like something out of George Orwell's dystopian classic "1984," but it is a bitter reality for Russian journalists: In their coverage of Russia's war against Ukraine, they are no longer allowed to use certain words such as war, invasion and attack, as announced by Roskomnadzor, the Russian government's media watchdog agency.

Those who spread "false information," according to the Kremlin, are also liable to prosecution. This so-called "false information" includes, among other things, the statement that the Russian army is attacking civilian targets in Ukraine. All lies, according to Moscow ― people should only believe "correct" information, which comes solely from official state sources.

But every day the rest of the world sees new footage of destroyed residential buildings in Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv, where dead bodies are pulled from the rubble.

Read more at: Russia: Fewer independent media outlets every day | Europe | News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 03.03.2022

Russia: Who is Alexei Navalny? The leader behind Russia’s anti-Putin protests, explained. -

The greatest challenger to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule is a man whose name the dictator won’t say and whom he has tried to kill: Alexei Navalny.

Having defiantly returned to Russia after surviving a brazen assassination attempt only to be immediately detained and thrown in jail upon arrival, the opposition leader and anti-corruption crusader has rallied tens of thousands of supporters to his cause like never before — a real sign of trouble for Putin’s hold on power.

Alexei Navalny has spent over a decade trying to overthrow Putin. Through slick videos, public mobilization, and even an ill-fated presidential run against the autocrat, Navalny has aimed to expose Kremlin corruption and malfeasance.

Read more at: Who is Alexei Navalny? The leader behind Russia’s anti-Putin protests, explained. - Vox

Russia-US Relations: Vladimir Putin Accuses U.S. Of Organizing Coup in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the 2014 overthrow of Ukraine's then-President, Viktor Yanukovich, was the result of a coup organized by the U.S. and backed by the rest of Europe.

Yanukovich was removed from office following an uprising by his country's opposition, spurred by his rejection of a trade deal with the EU in favor of closer ties with

Read more at: Vladimir Putin Accuses U.S. Of Organizing Coup in Ukraine

Switzerland: Biden and Putin agree: ′Nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought′

The leaders' first in-person meeting since Biden became president took place at a lakeside villa amid soaring tensions between their two countries.

As talks ended after less than the five hours either side thought they would need, Biden gave a thumbs up. Members of the US team said the meeting had been "quite successful."

After the meeting, the two sides released a joint statement on one of the main topics of discussion, nuclear proliferation. The statement read, "Nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought."

Read more at: Biden and Putin agree: ′Nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought′ | News | DW | 16.06.2021

Russia: Kremlin targets workers with Moscow's iconic Metro who support jailed opposition leader

he Komsomolskaya Metro station is one of the most ornate in Moscow's transit system, which is one of the world's busiest, carrying almost seven million passengers a day. Dozens and perhaps hundreds of employees have been fired or told to resign after supporting a jailed opposition leader. (Corinne Seminoff/CBC)

The Putin government's expanding crackdown on political dissent has entangled one of Russia's most iconic and respected institutions: Moscow's famously ornate Metro system.

Over the last week, dozens — perhaps even hundreds — of train drivers, mechanics, ticket agents and other public transit workers have been hauled before management and told to either resign or be fired.

The reason appears to be that either they or a family member signed onto a website calling for President Vladimir Putin's arch-foe, Alexei Navalny, to be freed from prison.

Read more at: Kremlin targets workers with Moscow's iconic Metro who support jailed opposition leader | CBC News

Russia: As Russia's confrontation with the West escalates, so has its crackdown on dissent at home

Nikita Golovizin faced int imidation and later arrest by Russian security services after he flew a European Union flag from his balcony next to a sign calling President Vladimir Putin a 'thief.'

For opponents of President Vladimir Putin in Russia, it seems as if there's no place that's safe these days — including in their own homes. "It was like 'bang, bang, bang' for half an hour," said Nikita Golovizin, an activist from the city of Voronezh about five hundred kilometres south of the capital Moscow, as he described how security agents parked themselves outside his apartment for several hours on one recent evening.

Read Mo0re at: As Russia's confrontation with the West escalates, so has its crackdown on dissent at home | CBC News

Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin warns foreign rivals not to 'cross a red line'

Putin under Pressure and warns not to overstep the red line. Can he survive.

Read more at: Russian President Vladimir Putin warns foreign rivals not to 'cross a red line' | Euronews

Russia-EU relations: Countering Putin's strategy of disorder - by Isabelle Mandraud and Julien Théron

Many European officials advocate for "dialogue" with Putin's Russia. But what sort of dialogue? To achieve which objectives? And at what price?

The recent trip in Moscow of Josep Borell, high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, turned to an affront for the Europeans.

As he was talking with Sergei Lavrov, Russian foreign minister, Moscow announced the expulsion of three European diplomats, for the sole reason that they had observed pro-Navalny demonstrations.

This additional move is actually typical from Putinism, and should not surprise anybody.

Read more at: Countering Putin's strategy of disorder

Russia: Russians just revealed Vladimir Putin’s weakness - Opinion - by the WP Editorial Board

Vladimir Putin is frequently portrayed as one of the architects of a 21st-century model of autocracy that is gaining strength globally, even as democracy stumbles in the United States and elsewhere. Events in Russia on Saturday belied that narrative. Tens of thousands of people in more than 100 cities defied freezing temperatures and riot police to join raucous protests against the Putin regime. While the Russian dictator isn’t likely to be toppled soon, the unrest revealed the rotten foundations of his rule — and the opportunity that offers to democratic adversaries.

Mr. Putin’s weakness was revealed thanks to the ingenuity and stunning courage of Alexei Navalny, who survived a poisoning attack by Mr. Putin’s agents in August and then returned to the country just over a week ago to take on his nemesis frontally. As expected, the 44-year-old activist was swiftly arrested. But Mr. Putin surely did not anticipate what came next: Mr. Navalny’s call for demonstrations, coupled with his release of an extraordinary, 112-minute video documenting Mr. Putin’s corruption, including the Versailles-scale palace he has secretly constructed on the shores of the Black Sea. By Monday, the video had accumulated more than 89 million views on YouTube — and thousands of Russians who had never before protested against Mr. Putin had taken to the streets.

Read more at: Opinion | Russians just revealed Vladimir Putin’s weakness - The Washington Post

China-Russia Relations focus on Joe Biden's Presidency: Putin's real intention in talking up a Russia-China alliance - by YOHEI ISHIKAWA

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first-ever public reference to the possibility of a Russia-China military alliance, but Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, told Nikkei Asia that Moscow's real intention with the suggestion is to check the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden.

Read more at: Putin's real intention in talking up a Russia-China alliance - Nikkei Asia