Wednesday briefing: Russia warned of NATO troops in Ukraine
Russia warned of NATO troops in Ukraine
Russia warned yesterday that a ground intervention in Ukraine by any NATO country would lead to a direct clash between the Western military alliance and Russian forces. The response came a day after French President Emmanuel Macron made a provocative comment about the possibility of allied countries sending troops.
The Kremlin called the open discussion about NATO ground troops in Ukraine “a very important new element” and warned that “this is obviously not in the interests of these countries.”
European countries rushed to distance themselves from Macron’s comment, with the NATO chief saying the alliance had no such plans. France later clarified that Macron was trying to emphasize how Europe should consider new actions to support Ukraine.
The fragmented reporting underlines how NATO – despite becoming more powerful following the approval of Finland and Sweden’s accession bids – is looking for ways to support Kiev as US resolve weakens and Russia advances on the battlefield.
Analysis: A foreign ground intervention in Ukraine is considered unlikely by most analysts. Since Russia’s invasion, the US and most of its European allies have categorically ruled out this possibility and warned that such a move could escalate into nuclear war.
Hamas downplayed rumors of an impending ceasefire
After President Biden expressed cautious optimism on Monday about the chances of a ceasefire in Gaza by next week, Hamas threw cold water on the prospect that it was close to reaching an agreement with Israel.
A Hamas spokesman said the group had not formally received any “new proposals” since Israeli officials met with mediators in Paris last week. Qatar, a key figure in the talks, also said negotiations had not reached a breakthrough, although mediators remained optimistic.
Here’s the latest.
A possible offer: Israeli officials are discussing a proposed ceasefire lasting roughly six weeks, during which about 40 hostages could be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. Some prisoners are serving harsh sentences for terrorism, and their release would be a concession aimed at convincing Hamas to make a deal. Officials hope to reach an agreement in less than two weeks before Ramadan begins.
Other developments:
Mercury pollution in tuna is persistently high
A team of French researchers found that mercury levels in fish have remained virtually unchanged, despite decades of global regulations that have curbed emissions of the toxic metal.
That’s likely because ‘legacy’ mercury that has accumulated deep in the ocean circulates to shallower depths where tuna feed, a new study suggests. The researchers predicted that even with the strictest mercury regulations, it would take another 10 to 25 years for ocean concentrations to decline. Decreases in mercury levels in tuna would not follow for decades.
After World War II destabilized Europe, New York usurped Paris as the commercial center of the art world. For generations, artists flocked to the city hoping to make a name for themselves.
Now the talent and ambition are still there, but the cheap rent of those early years is no longer there. And yet, despite the sky-high prices, some continue to create their own studio spaces.
Lives lived: Pankaj Udhas, whose soulful renditions of lyrical love songs were the cornerstone of many Bollywood films over his decades-long career, died at the age of 72.
As the dictator, Kate Winslet is having a bit of fun
In the absurdist HBO series “The Regime,” premiering this weekend, Kate Winslet plays a dictator somewhere in Central Europe who makes it up as she goes. Her character is hypochondriac and agoraphobic. She is “fearless,” Winslet said, “yet terrified of the world.”
The show was created by Will Tracy, whose previous writing credits include “Succession” and “The Menu.” He researched leaders from Syria, Russia and Romania and found that they shared “a shaky relationship with reality” and “a desperate need to survive.”
The role was “a lot of fun,” Winslet said, adding, “I have to let the audience know that this is something they can laugh at.”