Ukraine, Briefly

March 22, 2022

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Ukraine rejected an ultimatum to surrender its besieged port city of Mariupol to Russian forces, CNBC reported, as fighting raged on its streets. Thousands of civilians remain trapped in the city, which is running dangerously low on vital supplies like food, water and medicines. Ukraine has also accused Russia of forcibly removing residents to Russia.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth week, Moscow announced Monday that no major progress has been achieved in discussions with Kyiv to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy together, the Hill noted. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett cautioned that big gaps exist in the cease-fire talks between Ukraine and Russia, as he strives to act as a mediator in the crisis, according to Reuters. His comments came a day after Zelenskyy called on Israel to adopt a tougher stance against Russia, making an emotional appeal that equated Moscow’s invasion to Nazi Germany’s actions in the country, the Associated Press added.

The United Nations warned that around 10 million Ukrainians – almost a quarter of the population – have left the country following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg added. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned nations to not “neglect or knee-cap policies to cut fossil fuel use,” because of the conflict, AP reported. His comments came as countries scramble to replace Russian oil, gas and coal supplies with alternatives.

The United Kingdom accused Russia of being behind hoax calls made to the British defense secretary and home secretary, according to Politico. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said last week he received a call from a man pretending to be Ukraine’s prime minister, saying the “imposter” posed “several misleading questions.” Home Secretary Priti Patel said she received a similar call last week.

This story originally appeared in the March 22, 2022 newsletter, A Caucasian Puzzle.

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