37-year-old Mykola Zakhozhyi left home on his motorcycle to check Russian positions near his Kyiv suburb. He never returned.
Russian soldiers seized him in the woods, kicked his head until he blacked out and poured diesel on him, threatening to burn him and others – NYT. 1/
Russian troops moved Mykola through camps and jails. Guards lined prisoners up and made them run a gauntlet of kicks and punches.
They slammed men into metal door frames and jumped on their backs as they lay on the ground. 2/
In Kursk, guards hit prisoners on the way to the showers and to the yard, shocked them with electric devices and beat them while they waited for interrogations.
Former detainees said this was standard routine. 3/
Kasparov: Recall ambassadors, low down diplomatic ties, but Europe is doing business as usual. More than 500K visas were issued for Russians last year. Putin's laughing at you.
You want to be serious? Send French military jets to Ukraine. Show you’re willing to take a hit. 1/
Kasparov: We pray for Ukrainian heroism, but you can't do it forever. Europe preparing for war — behind this is one thought: how can we look so strong for Putin to be afraid to attack us?
They can't comprehend that European soldiers will be dying. I find it unacceptable. 2/
Kasparov: Politically, Europe just can't accept this responsibility. The Western democracies look weak. And we know what does always excite the predator in animal world?
Weakness and blood. That's exactly what's happening with Putin. He smells blood in Ukraine like a shark. 3/
Hodges: Europe and Ukraine know the U.S. has a primary interest, which is business with Russia. Europe sees it cannot count on the U.S.
Unsatisfactory outcome for Ukraine could send millions more Ukrainian refugees into Central and Western Europe. 1/
Hodges: The administration's approach has always been doomed from the start because they didn't care about the origin, history or geography, and approached it as a massive real estate deal.
Rubio said in the beginning, Ukraine, you're gonna have to give up some territory. 2/
Hodges: US made a decision in prioritization of Western hemisphere, Indo Pacific, Middle East, then Europe is №4. The US really sees Europe as inconsequential, except maybe for some business purposes.
Ukraine and Europe together do have the capability to stop Russia. 3/
Q: Is the U.S. cutting Europe out of the talks and will Witkoff push Ukraine into concessions?
Kallas: I’m worried the pressure will fall on the victim — Ukraine. Russia started this war, continues it and hits civilians daily. Any deal must keep that reality front and center. 1/
Q: Does the EU reparations loan hurt peace talks?
Kallas: No. It strengthens Europe’s leverage over Moscow. Russia owes Ukraine damages.
Using frozen Russian state assets is the right base for reparations. I understand Belgium’s concerns, but we need to move forward. 2/
Q: Your message to EU states lagging on Ukraine aid?
Kallas: Support is uneven. States doing less must step up. Helping Ukraine now costs far less than a longer war.
If all EU members push Russia together, the war ends sooner and the financial burden drops for everyone.
Belarusian opposition leader, Tsikhanouskaya: Helping Ukraine is a priority.
Its victory is crucial for many countries, especially Belarus. As long as Lukashenko serves Putin, he remains a threat to Ukraine, the EU, and keeps Belarus under Russia’s pressure. 1/
Tsikhanouskaya: The ideal scenario is Ukraine getting all support to secure a just peace. Russia turns inward and stops backing Lukashenko.
A democratic transition begins in Belarus, free from Moscow’s pressure and no longer propped up by the Kremlin. 2/
Tsikhanouskaya: This scenario begins with Ukraine’s support and victory.
The U.S. has its plan, Ukraine and Europe have theirs, and peace must start on Ukraine’s terms. Otherwise, Europe will live under constant tension. 3/