No prerequisites for Kiev troops withdrawal from Artyomovsk — Pushilin

Ukrainian authorities led by President Vladimir Zelensky do not intend to order their troops to withdraw from Artyomovsk (called Bakhmut in Ukraine), Donetsk People’s Republic Acting Head Denis Pushilin said on Thursday.

No prerequisites for Kiev troops withdrawal from Artyomovsk — Pushilin

Related:

No Signs Ukraine Is Withdrawing Troops From Bakhmut – Russian-Installed Official

Thousands in Italy protest West’s weapons supplies to Ukraine as war enters 2nd year

Thousands of Italians have demonstrated across the country in Rome, Florence and Genoa against Western sanctions imposed on Russia and transfer of lethal military hardware to Ukraine, a day after the first anniversary of the Ukraine-Russia war.

Thousands in Italy protest West’s weapons supplies to Ukraine as war enters 2nd year

Video via World Politics

Related:

Anti-NATO, Anti-EU, Anti-War, Protest Rallies Hit Germany, France, Italy

NATO majors float Ukraine negotiations plan – WSJ

UK, France and Germany reportedly offered weapons and security commitments as a way of starting talks with Russia

NATO majors float Ukraine negotiations plan – WSJ

Related:

WSJ: NATO’s Biggest European Members Float Defense Pact With Ukraine

In theory, any NATO member could veto the proposal from the U.K., France and Germany, but the organization operates on consensus and such an initiative wouldn’t even be discussed at a summit without enjoying widespread support in the alliance.

Nuland: US auditors arrive in Ukraine to ensure ‘no aid or weapons are diverted.’ + NABU

Nuland: US auditors arrive in Ukraine to ensure ‘no aid or weapons are diverted.’

This week, the U.S. has its auditors working in Ukraine alongside the World Bank and Deloitte consultants to make sure that “no aid or weapons are diverted,” U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said on Jan. 26.

On Jan. 23, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU)* said that it had begun investigating possible corruption in the Defense Ministry’s food procurement.

The statement followed an investigation by Ukrainian news outlet ZN.UA**, which alleged that the Defense Ministry was buying food for soldiers at inflated prices, indicating a possible corruption scheme.

Related:

The Kiev Purge: Turmoil in the Capital

The anti-graft stories are being driven by media outlets connected with Ukraine’s Western partners and Poroshenko, who has become Zelensky’s main competitor, since the latter had opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk jailed. For example, on January 23, a number of pro-Western journalists launched a direct attack on Andrey Yermak – the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and a key player in the system.

The combat operations in Ukraine merely accelerated these processes. In fact, only three powers can now speak out against the Zelensky-Yermak team— Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko and his cabinet, the army led by Valery Zaluzhny, and US-controlled structures such as NABU and media affiliated with them. At the same time, decisions regarding resignations are made exclusively by Zelensky and Yermak, who by all means wish to hush up the scandals.

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Zelensky cracks down on popular news outlet as repressions against media intensify in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky says he has granted a petition demanding that the government take action against popular opposition news website Strana.ua.

Zelensky cracks down on popular news outlet as repressions against media intensify in Ukraine

Related:

Zelensky instructed Danilov to deal with the blocking of the website Strana (Ukrainska Pravda)

Also, on 30 December 2021, the National Security and Defence Council made a decision to block access by internet providers to web resources/services located on the strana.ua, strana.news, strana.one, strana.digital, strana.today, and other domains and subdomains web resources/services that provide access to the Strana.ua portal, a web resource/service that is similar (identical) in terms of content, as well as restriction by electronic service providers (social network services) of access from the territory of Ukraine to content posted on web pages/ in the channels Facebook.com/gazetastranaua, @strana.ua, vk.com/stranaua, ok.ru/stranaua.