STRAIGHT. War in Ukraine: Washington ‘extremely concerned’ by US journalist’s arrest in Russia

A year later, Ukraine remembers the massacre in Bucha.

Ukraine marks the anniversary of the Russian withdrawal from the martyr city of Bucha, where the invaders left behind the corpses of civilians shot in cold blood, making this area near Kiev the most vivid symbol of the atrocities attributed to Moscow’s troops.

On March 31, 2022, the Russian army withdrew from this city and all of northern Kyiv, a month after the invasion of the country began on the orders of President Vladimir Putin. Two days after the withdrawal, the massacre became known. On April 2, AFP journalists found in Bucha burnt wreckage of cars, destroyed houses and, above all, the bodies of twenty men in civilian clothes scattered over several hundred meters, one of whom had his hands tied behind his back. These scenes shocked the whole world, Kyivans and Westerners, condemning the summary executions of civilians and war crimes. The Kremlin denies his involvement and calls for a staging.

Washington accuses Moscow of arming itself with Pyongyang

The White House announced Thursday that it has “new information indicating that Russia is actively seeking to obtain more munitions from North Korea” and to impose sanctions on a man accused of participating in trade between the two countries. John Kirby of the National Security Council recalled that, according to US intelligence, North Korea has recently provided military assistance to Russia.

The US Treasury Department sanctioned Slovak citizen Ashot Mkrtychev for “between late 2022 and early 2023 (…) worked with North Korean officials to obtain more than two dozen weapons and ammunition for Russia in exchange for materials, ranging from commercial aircraft and raw materials to products to be shipped to North Korea,” the statement said.

The head of Russian diplomacy will chair the UN meeting in New York in April

The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, will chair a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York in April, during a month during which Russia will chair the UN’s executive body on a rotational basis. “Another key event of the Russian presidency will be a high-level open debate in the (Security) Council on the topic “Effective multilateralism through the defense of the principles of the United Nations Charter”.

Earlier on Thursday, Ukraine called Russia’s future chairmanship of the UN Security Council a “bad joke.”

EU criticizes Moscow’s ‘systematic disregard’ for press freedom

The European Union “condemns the detention of American journalist Evan Gershkovich by Russia, which accuses him of espionage,” EU diplomat Josep Borrell tweeted, condemning Moscow’s “systematic disregard” for press freedom.

“Journalists should be free to practice their profession and deserve protection. The Russian authorities once again demonstrate a systematic disregard for media freedom,” the diplomat added.

American journalist arrested for spying in Russia: an unprecedented case in recent history

“We are extremely concerned about the high-profile arrest of an American journalist,” US Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken said in a statement, referring to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Hershkowitz.

Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing.

Russian intelligence agencies announced on Thursday that Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg, in the Urals, on suspicion of “espionage,” an unprecedented case in the country’s recent history.

American journalist arrested: London denounces Russia’s ‘disrespect’ for press freedom

“Russia’s decision to detain an American journalist demonstrates its complete disregard for freedom of the press,” British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley tweeted. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States in defending these fundamental democratic principles,” he added.

Hi all!

Welcome to this direct, dedicated to the war in Ukraine and its consequences.