All Europe
- First LookUkraine’s Zelenskyy pleads with the US to do more to stop Russia
In a virtual speech to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded for sanctions against Russian lawmakers and a block on imports. Congress already approved $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine this week.
- ‘I see bad times ahead.’ Sanctions start to get real for Russians.
The sanctions against Russia are primarily being felt by Russians engaged with the West. But everyone knows that the real bite is yet to come.
- First LookAs Russian troops close in, three European leaders to visit Kyiv
As Russian strikes on Kyiv continue, leaders from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia are heading into the conflict zone to show solidarity with Ukraine. Meanwhile, talks between Russia and Ukraine will resume on Tuesday and new evacuation efforts are underway.
- In Mykolaiv’s bunkers, civilians are defiant, but fear for their city
In Mykolaiv’s bunkers, residents show resilience and defiance. But as Russia rockets Ukraine, anger and bewilderment grow, as does a sense of dread.
- First LookNew Ukraine front? Russian cruise missiles hit western Ukraine.
A Russian cruise missile attack Sunday on a military base in western Ukraine, close to Poland, raised the specter that NATO could be drawn into the fight.
- What it’s like to fight the Russians: The defense of Mykolaiv
Resilience in the face of overwhelming power is a main theme of the war in Ukraine. A visit to embattled Mykolaiv shows the disparity in motivation between attacker and defender.
- The ExplainerWhy Ukraine’s gambit to join the EU doesn’t hinge on getting in
The application from Ukraine to urgently join the EU turned heads, but its value is mostly in the message it sends to Ukrainians and to Moscow.
- Why a region that voted against Zelenskyy now embraces him
War in Ukraine has transformed Volodymyr Zelenskyy from a faltering first-term president into a national hero uniting his people and much of the world.
- Despite high gas prices, US bans Russian oil over Ukraine war
President Joe Biden today ordered a ban on the import of Russian oil. The United States currently imports about 100,000 barrels of oil a day from Russia. Europe has not announced similar plans due to its heavy dependence on Russia for energy.
- First LookTwo million flee Ukraine, those stuck struggle to find supplies
Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II has grown more severe as the war between Russia and Ukraine enters day 13. While 2 million people have fled Ukraine, others remain trapped and are struggling to get water, food, and supplies.
- Odessa: Russian-speaking, yes. But today, very Ukrainian.
Odessa is often deemed among the most “pro-Russian” cities in Ukraine. But the war has changed minds, surprising many with the level of shared purpose it created.
- First LookAllô? Macron's telephone diplomacy offers insight into Putin
French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin 11 times over the past month, continuing France’s tradition of carving out its own geopolitical path. Mr. Macron aims to engage Mr. Putin even as the West squeezes Russia with sanctions.
- First LookRussia’s attack on Ukraine threatens global food supply
From Nigeria to Indonesia, millions of people rely on bread made from Russian and Ukrainian wheat to survive. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is already spiking bread prices in some countries, and, if it continues to disrupt harvests, could cause major food shortages.
- First LookUkraine roundup: Netflix and TikTok quit Russia, a ceasefire fails
A second humanitarian cease-fire to allow civilians to evacuate Marupol, Ukraine, was broken. The leaders of France, Turkey, and Israel spoke with the Russian president Sunday.
- First LookWhy can't Poland give its old warplanes to Ukraine?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's 'desperate' for more warplanes. Poland has dozens available that Ukraine pilots could fly. But there are obstacles to giving Polish warplanes to Ukraine.
- No consultation: Putin’s solo path to war
Vladimir Putin appeared to consult almost no one before launching Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Long-standing assumptions and historical grievances contributed to this.
- Stronger NATO, more decisive EU: What Putin’s war hath wrought
Vladimir Putin didn’t want Ukraine in NATO. He may see Finland and Sweden join instead. Their concerns, beyond security, are long-held values like freedom and democracy.
- Racism is another war front for African students stuck in Ukraine
Racism in the path of flight from Ukraine causes a group of African students to hunker down at their university.
- First LookNuclear disaster at Ukraine plant averted. What risks remain?
On Friday, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, located in Ukraine, was hit by Russian shelling, which started a fire and raised fears worldwide of a nuclear disaster. The fire was put out, but the risks of having radioactive material in the middle of a war zone remain.
- UK gets serious about cleansing London of Russian ‘dirty’ money
The U.K. has long been a home for Russian “dirty” money. But the war in Ukraine is stirring the government to do something about corrupt oligarchs.