Day 256: US Reportedly Urges Ukraine to Engage in Talks; Iran Acknowledges Sending Drones to Russia "Months" Before War
According to a Washington Post report, US Pres. Joe Biden is privately urging Ukraine to show an openness to negotiate with Russia and forgo its refusal to conduct peace talks unless Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin is removed from power.
Facts
- According to a Washington Post report, US Pres. Joe Biden is privately urging Ukraine to show an openness to negotiate with Russia and forgo its refusal to conduct peace talks unless Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin is removed from power.
- Sources familiar with the matter have shared concerns that Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky’s ban on talks with Putin has generated growing stress in parts of Europe, Africa, and Latin America, where the effects of the war have been felt most intensely. An anonymous US official interviewed in the report said, "Ukraine fatigue is a real thing for some of our partners."
- Meanwhile, amid reported Russian attacks on key Ukrainian energy infrastructure, 17 EU countries have sent 500 power generators to Ukraine. According to Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal, it has already received 700 generators from foreign partners and is expecting a further 900.
- On Sunday, Russia reportedly experienced its own energy setback in the Russian-controlled Kherson region, in what the administration alleged was a Ukrainian act of "sabotage" on three power lines that left the area without electricity or water. This comes as Russian officials have recently called for citizens to evacuate Kerson amid concerns that Ukraine is preparing an offensive against the city.
- Also on Sunday, Zelenskyy met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss a potential EU aid package of €18B "to cover Ukraine's financing needs for 2023." The agenda also reportedly included talks of increasing sanctions on Iran.
- This follows Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian's address on Saturday that acknowledged for the first time that Tehran sold drones to Russia. Amirabdollahian says the devices were supplied "months" before the start of the war. He further assured that Iran doesn't support either side of the conflict and is ready to talk to Ukraine regarding the allegations that Iranian drones have been used in the war.
Sources: Washington Post, Ukrinform, Reuters, CNN, and Al Jazeera.
Narratives
- Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by PBS News. 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 an election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
- Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by NSA. 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.
