Navalny supporters chant outside funeral service in Moscow
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The US asked China and India for help in dissuading Russia from carrying out a nuclear strike in 2022, a US official told CNN – as the Pope provoked anger for saying Ukraine should have the courage to “raise the white flag”.
“One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing,” they said, per the report.
The official added the diplomatic pressure “may have had some effect” on Russia’s thinking.
“The concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be,” another US official told CNN.
It came as Ukrainian and allied officials have criticised Pope Francis for saying Kyiv should have the “courage” to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call on Ukraine to surrender.
In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase “the courage of the white flag” as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.
Glory to heroes! Georgia mourns two soldiers killed on front lines
Two more soldiers of the Georgian Legion, fighting Russian forces, have been killed in Ukraine, according to the force.
A Georgian Legion Facebook post announced the deaths of Nodar Nasirov and Giorgi Gogiashvili on Sunday.
It is unknown where on the front line they were killed.
A spokesman said: “Nodar Nasirov and Giorgi Gogiashvili soldiers of the Georgian Legion, died while performing combat duties on the front line.
“The Georgian Legion expresses its condolences to the families of the deceased. Glory to the heroes!”
(Facebook)
Barney Davis10 March 2024 19:00
Russia replaces navy chief, Fontanka reports
Russia has appointed Admiral Alexander Moiseev as acting commander-in-chief of the Russian navy, the Fontanka news outlet reported on Sunday, citing unidentified sources.
Reuters could not immediately verify the Fontanka report which said that Moiseev, 61, currently commander of the Northern Fleet, will soon be appointed as naval commander-in-chief on a permanent basis.
Fontanka, a private news service based in St Petersburg, did not mention any reason for the appointment. It said the navy’s press service redirected its request for a comment to the defence ministry which did not respond to a request for comment.
Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, navy commander-in-chief since May 2019, is still listed in that role on the defence ministry’s website.
Ukraine has in recent months stepped up attacks in the Black Sea and on Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Kyiv has reported a series of strikes, including the sinking of a large landing ship by naval drones in mid-February and a patrol ship this week. Russia has not acknowledged any such losses.
Barney Davis10 March 2024 18:21
‘The Kremlin tried to recruit me – but when I condemned the war, I was forced into exile’
Pinchas Goldschmidt, the chief Rabbi of Moscow, witnessed first-hand the rise of Putin, writes Adam Luck. Now that he’s fled the country after criticising the Ukraine war, he has a stark warning for the West – the Russian leader has his sights set on more than just Kyiv…
When the chief rabbi of Moscow was summoned by Putin’s FSB agents to Sadovnicheskaya Street police station in 2003, they had one goal: to turn him into a Russian agent.
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who had been chief rabbi for the previous decade, was able to resist the Russian state in their efforts to turn him. But when Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, his time was up.
Barney Davis10 March 2024 17:17
Investigators bust ring trafficking Indians to fight for Russia in Ukraine
Barney Davis10 March 2024 17:00
Flights resume at airport after Ukrainain drone shot down
Pulkovo airport in Saint Petersburg has resumed operations as Russian Defence Ministry said a Ukrainian drone was shot down in the neighbouring Leningrad region on Sunday.
Alexander Drozdenko, the Leningrad region’s governor, adjacent to Saint Petersburg, said on Telegram that airspace was sealed off due to the drone, which did not inflict any damage or casualties.
The airport and Rosaviatsia, the country’s aviation watchdog, did not say why the restrictions had been imposed
Barney Davis10 March 2024 16:18
Pope criticised for ‘white flag’ comment
Ukrainian and allied…
Read More: Ukraine war live: US ‘feared nuclear attack’ as Pope criticised for ‘white flag’