The Will to Fight

As the U.S. and NATO attempt to tighten the screws on Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian war, the next step will possibly be a boycott of Russian oil. This, as many have noted, would be a significant escalation of the sanctions against Russia at time its economy is already showing signs of faltering.

In addition, the U.S. says it will facilitate the relocation of fighter jets from nearby allied countries to Ukraine, as per President Zelensky’s request, that should help the beleaguered country hold out against the invaders.

This combination of economic and military measures are meant to extend the period Ukraine can delay complete occupation by Putin’s massive army. The strategic hope is that pressure inside the Kremlin on Putin to cease hostilities before an outright catastrophe occurs.

There have already been close calls to catastrophe in the form of the attack on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and a would-be assassination team sent to kill Zelensky, who has emerged as a global hero in the fight against authoritarianism.

Putin clearly believes the West as epitomized by NATO, has no appetite for the extended effort required to repel his troops. The coming weeks will clarify whether he is right or wrong about that. 

Meanwhile, in most of the world, many are too exhausted by the pandemic to be able to mobilize the emotional resources necessary to engage in war-time activity. Putin may be counting on this reality to get away with his scheme.

The mass exhaustion is understandable — the past two years have been enervating. On the other hand, the emergence of Zelensky as a hero leading a resolved population resisting imperial aggression is inspiring millions all over the world.

TODAY’s NEWS (56)

1. Waves of Ukrainian refugees walk across border as US secretary of state visits reception center in Poland (CNN)

2. Putin likens Western sanctions to war as Russian assault traps Ukrainian Citizens (Reuters)

3. Putin: Sanctions on Russia put Ukraine’s statehood at risk (WP)

4. Ukraine humanitarian ceasefire with Russia not holding (Fox)

5. Thousands trapped as Russia ignores ceasefire (BBC)

6. In Kyiv’s Railway Station, Rumors, Near-Stampedes and Frustration (NYT)

7. People around the world are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine. They don't plan to check in (CNN)

8. Volodymyr Zelensky Leads the Defense of Ukraine with His Voice — At the most consequential hour in Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union, a comedian has assumed the role of Winston Churchill. (New Yorker)

9. Russian invasion reorders West’s calculations on cost of war (AP)

10. European peace seems as fragile as ever (BBC)

11. As war loomed, U.S. armed Ukraine to hit Russian aircraft, tanks and prep for urban combat, declassified shipment list shows (WP)

12. The Weapon the West Used Against Putin — The way in which the U.S. disclosed intelligence ahead of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could drastically change geopolitics in the future. (Atlantic)

13. NATO Accuses Russia of Using Cluster Bombs in Ukraine (NYT)

14. Thousands of pro-Russia Serbs march in Belgrade (BBC)

15. Russia gains ground ahead of potential assault on Odesa (Financial Times)

16. UK nationals should leave Russia while they can, Foreign Office says (Guardian)

17. Attack on Ukrainian nuclear plant triggers worldwide alarm (AP)

18. Ukraine President Zelenskyy requests more lethal aid during virtual meeting with US senators (Fox)

19. Zelenskyy's emotional, direct Zoom plea to Congress: No-fly zone, Russian oil ban, more military aid (Politico)

20. Italy seizes oligarchs' villas and yachts in initial sweep (Reuters)

21. The Russian Elite Can’t Stand the Sanctions (Atlantic)

22. ‘I Want Peace.’ Zelensky’s Heroic Resistance Is an Example for the World. (Edit Bd/NYT)

23. ‘They are trying to exterminate us’: Mariupol comes under Russian onslaught (Financial Times)

24. ‘Putin Miscalculated’: Ukrainians Are Literally Lining Up to Fight Back (Politico)

25. Ukraine no-fly zone would mean participation in conflict: Putin (Al Jazeera)

26. I Don’t Want to Be Called Russian Anymore’: Anxious Soviet Diaspora Rethinks Identity (NYT)

27. How Far Should the World Go to Support Ukraine? (Atlantic)

28. Iran Nuclear Deal Threatened by Russian Demands Over Ukraine Sanctions — Western and Iranian officials have said they were very close to reaching a deal to restore the nuclear pact (WSJ)

29. 'My heart is breaking': Russians fear economic nightmare about to unfold (Reuters)

30. In New York, home to more Ukrainian immigrants than any U.S. city, residents mobilize to send support (WP)

31. Volunteer Hackers Converge on Ukraine Conflict With No One in Charge (NYT)

32. Russia Imposes Antihoarding, Price-Control Measures (WSJ)

33. Ukrainian websites under 'nonstop' attack - cyber watchdog agency (Reuters)

34. John Bolton: Putin was 'waiting' for possible US withdrawal from NATO (The Hill)

35. Charities struggle to deliver humanitarian aid into Ukraine (AP)

36. Kremlin says the West is behaving like a bandit (Reuters)

37. Refugees Fleeing Ukraine Now Represent Biggest Movement of People in Europe Since World War I (WSJ)

38. Ukrainian broadcaster vows to keep going despite attacks (NHK)

39. Ukraine War Forces a Question: How Far East Does Europe Go? (NYT)

40. Trump’s praise of Putin, ‘America First’ view tested by war (AP)

41. An anti-war protester in Moscow says the risk of arrest is worth it (NPR)

42. Western news outlets curb reporting, broadcasts in Russia as Putin signs law cracking down on Ukraine coverage(WP)

43. housands protest Russian invasion in Tokyo (NHK)

44. Europe Fears It Could Be Too Late to Shake Off Russian Gas Addiction (WSJ)

45. Pence hits Trump: No room in GOP for ‘apologists for Putin’ (AP)

46. Singapore announces economic sanctions on Russia (NHK)

47. How to Tell News Fact from Fiction, Even During a War (WSJ)

48. The Kennedy Center and other sites light up their buildings to support Ukraine (NPR)

49. Covid disinformation down as social media pivot to Ukraine (Guardian)

50. IS claims Pakistan bombing that kills 56 at Shiite mosque (AP)

51. For some patients, cardiovascular problems persist long after COVID (NPR)

52. Afghans resettling in US struggle to find affordable housing (AP)

53. Tuition-free college movement gains momentum, despite Biden’s stalled plan (WP)

54. Does Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill violate the First Amendment? (The Hill)

55. The Fight Over ‘Maus’ Is Part of a Bigger Cultural Battle in Tennessee (NYT)

56. ISS Apologizes After Excessive Power Usage Accidentally Shorts Out Galaxy (The Onion)