Ukraine rules out ceasefire or any territorial concessions to Russia

"As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, Kyiv has refused to agree to a ceasefire deal with Moscow that involves giving up territory. As per the latest report from ground zero, Russia has increased the attacks in the eastern and southern parts of the country. It has been understood that Russia is pounding the Donbas and Mykolaiv regions with airstrikes and artillery fire. 

Andriy Yermak, who is Ukraine's presidential chief of staff, said in a Twitter post on Sunday: "The war must end with the complete restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty." 

Mykhailo Podolyak who is Ukraine's lead negotiator and Zelensky adviser also ruled out any territorial concessions." WION

Starbucks to exit Russia

"American coffee chain Starbucks said on Monday that it was pulling out of Russia and would no longer have a brand presence in the country.

According to the company's memo to employees, it will close its 130 stores in Russia." RT

U.S. may boost Ukraine’s defense with Harpoon missiles

"The U.S. is reportedly planning to supply Ukraine with anti-ship missiles to break the
Russian blockade off the coast of Odessa. Harpoon anti-ship missile appears in mind when the rumors surfaced, however, it’s not the only option." NavalNews

 

Scientists baffled by monkeypox cases in Europe, US

"Scientists who have monitored numerous outbreaks of monkeypox in Africa say they are
baffled by the disease’s recent spread in Europe and North America.

“I’m stunned by this. Every day I wake up and there are more countries infected,” said Oyewale Tomori, a virologist who formerly headed the Nigerian Academy of Science and who sits on several WHO advisory boards.

“This is not the kind of spread we’ve seen in West Africa, so there may be something new happening in the West,” he said." Breitbart

Biden Vows US To Respond Militarily If China Attacks Taiwan, White House Walks Back

"You didn't want to get involved in the Ukraine conflict militarily for obvious reasons. Are you
willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if it comes to that?" a reporter asked Biden during a news conference. "Yes," Biden replied.

The somewhat incredulous reporter, upon hearing blunt and perhaps unexpected answer in the affirmative pressed further, "You are?"

"That's the commitment we made," the president said.

 Naturally, the White House quickly scrambled to try and walk back the president's clear affirmation that he would send a US military force against nuclear-armed superpower China in the event of an invasion. A statement said that the US policy "has not changed." ZeroHedge

Belarus accuses Ukrainian military of border raids

"Belarus has observed increased activity of the Ukrainian military along the countries’ shared
border, Belarusian Security Council chief Alexander Volfovich claimed on Sunday. Ukrainian troops have amassed at several locations along the frontier, with some saboteur groups entering the territory of Belarus, according to the official.

“Engineering works are ongoing along the Ukraine-Belarus border – the placing of landmines and creation of barricades. Saboteur and reconnaissance groups are active, they also infiltrate Belarusian territory,” Volfovich told the Belarus-1 TV channel." RT

Belgium Begins Monkeypox Quarantines

"Belgium has become the first country to introduce a mandatory 21-day monkeypox quarantine for those who contact the virus, after three cases were recorded in the country. The infections were all linked to a festival in the port city of Antwerp." ZeroHedge

Energodar mayor, his two guards suffer wounds in explosion

"Energodar Mayor Andrey Shevchik and his two guards were wounded in an explosion
suffered wounds in an explosion in the entrance way of his house today," the person said. "A homemade explosive device was planted inside an electric wiring box in the entrance way."

The law enforcer said Shevchik had repeatedly received threats from Ukraine. The blast detonated as the mayor entered his apartment building." Tass

 Enerhodar is a city and municipality in the north-western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast in Ukraine, currently under the control of the Russian Armed Forces.

Six Ukrainian Troops Die in Attempt to Detonate Weapon Depots at Azovstal

"Six Ukrainain servicemen were killed on the territory of the Azovstal Plant in Mariupol when
they tried to blow up their ammunition caches before surrendering." Tass

 

 

Top Putin Aide Predicts “Global Famine” by the End of This Year

"A top aide to Vladimir Putin has predicted a “global famine” that will occur before the end of
the year as a result of worldwide grain shortages caused by the war in Ukraine.

Maksim Oreshkin asserts that the United States’ attempt to takeover Ukraine’s grain reserves is going to lead to a humanitarian disaster.

“It is important that in the conditions, for example, of a global famine that will occur closer to autumn, by the end of this year all over the world, Russia should not suffer, but be fully provided with food,” Oreshkin said." SummitNews

Russia intensifies push for Donbas

"Russia is waging what appears to be a major offensive in Luhansk, one of two provinces in
Donbas.

Russian-backed separatists already controlled swathes of territory in Luhansk and the neighboring Donetsk province before the February 24 invasion, but Moscow wants to seize the last remaining Ukrainian-held territory in Donbas." France24

Russian defence ministry says destroyed Western weapons sent to Ukraine using Kalibr cruise missiles

"The Russian defence ministry said that the armed forces have destroyed a large shipment of  weapons in northwestern Ukraine using long-range missiles. 

 The weapons included artillery, anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank weapons, etc. Russia has often warned the West over arms supplies to Ukraine." WION

Russia Halts Finland’s Gas Supply

"Precisely a week after Russia cut electricity supplies to Finland over non-payment (in rubles),
Moscow has made its first explicitly retaliatory move over its Nordic neighbor’s application to NATO with an announcement to cut off natural gas." IW

Russian and US top generals hold talks

"Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley held a rare series of phone calls on Thursday." RT

Russians Launch Flashmob to Thank Foreigners for Support of Fight Against Neo-Nazism in Ukraine

"A virtual flashmob has been launched in Russia expressing gratitude to people from other countries for their support of the Russia-led fight against neo-Nazism in Ukraine.

 Flashmob participants urge people to stick together, no matter what politicians do to try to divide them." Sputnik