All Europe
First LookAllô? Macron's telephone diplomacy offers insight into PutinFrench 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 supplyFrom 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 failsA 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 warVladimir 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 wroughtVladimir 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 UkraineRacism 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’ moneyThe 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.
First LookCash flow freeze: Russians struggle under sanctions, question attackRussians are starting to feel the economic impact on their daily lives from global sanctions. While facing the challenges of surging food prices and inoperable payment systems, many are also concerned about Russian troops in Ukraine.
First LookKherson becomes first major Ukrainian city to fall to RussiaOn the eighth day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia continued advancing along Ukraine’s coastline. So far, Russia has taken over Kherson, a Black Sea port, and encircled another port city on the Azov Sea, leaving residents without electricity.
Ukrainian refugees push westward, feeling both relief and sorrowIn Lviv, a crush of refugees is relieved to find safety in Ukraine but anguished about all they’ve left behind as they rush toward the unknown.
A new Iron Curtain? How Russia’s invasion will reshape the world.It will likely create a new Iron Curtain, but one that will be as much a mental divide as a geographical barrier.
First LookCulture institutions close curtain on Russia over UkraineFrom the Venice Film Festival to the Munich Philharmonic to Hollywood board rooms, culture organizations are the latest to take a stand against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
NATO’s balancing act: Deter a militant Russia without provoking a fightWith Ukraine and Russia exchanging fire, NATO must signal the Kremlin that it is not an aggressor and deter westward advance by Russian forces.
First Look'Fortress Europe' opens for Ukrainian refugees but keeps others outEuropean nations are openly welcoming Ukrainian refugees – a starkly different picture from the way West African and Middle-Eastern refugees were treated in the past. As E.U. leaders continue to support Ukrainians, tones of racism and Islamophobia persist.
First LookUkrainian hackers call for volunteers before cyberwar heats upRussia has a long history of damaging Ukraine’s internet infrastructure through malware. But Ukrainians are assembling volunteer hackers worldwide to launch counterattacks on their Russian foe.
First LookRussia strikes Ukraine’s 2nd largest city and advances on KyivOn Tuesday, Russian troops attacked Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and military convoys continued to advance on Kyiv. Both administrative and residential areas were hit by explosions in Kharkiv.
As war in Ukraine rages, Russians look on with increasing dismayThe backlash at home against the war in Ukraine suggests a moral split and loss of trust between the Russian public and its leadership.
Conciliatory no more: Germany’s new toughness on RussiaFollowing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany has ended a long-standing arms-export policy and vowed to rearm itself, while urging EU solidarity.
