Fear of Mariupol’s demise comes to Russia
During the second month of fighting, Russian forces largely failed to capture Ukraine’s largest cities and narrowed their immediate targets to the siege of Mariupol, which appeared to be falling, and the city of Chernihiv. strategically located in the north. Follow the latest updates.
Ukraine’s top military intelligence official believes that Russia is shifting its military focus to the south and east and may be trying to divide Ukraine between occupied and unoccupied territories. Air raid sirens have sounded in Kyiv, but otherwise the city has remained calm, giving some credence to the Russian Defense Ministry’s assertion that it is shifting its focus to the eastern front.
In an interview with Russian journalists yesterday, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that Russian forces had entered the areas of Mariupol and he had told Ukrainian soldiers were still trying there. that they could abandon the city to save their own lives. “I talk to them twice a day,” he said. “I told them, ‘If you feel that you need to get out and see it as true, in order for you to survive, then do it. I understand.'”
Long read: Who is Vladimir Putin? Roger Cohen, our Paris bureau chief, follows the Russian leader’s 22-year slide from statesman to tyrant.
‘A giraffe’: Biden management officials have forced to return to the president’s advertisement that Putin “cannot continue to be in power,” has drawn the attention of foreign policy experts, lawmakers and allies.
In other news from the war:
US military prepares for a future in the Arctic
As climate change opens up for Arctic transit and exploration, Russia has increasingly militarized the region. Now, with the changing geopolitical order following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, competition for sovereignty and resources in the Arctic could become increasingly fierce. America is preparing for a more active presence its own.
A first exercise in the frigid Alaskan hinterland took place this month; it involved about 8,000 American troops and was planned long before the Russian invasion. The exercise was motivated in part by aggressive moves by Russia in recent years to militarize the Arctic, a part of the world where the United States and Russia share a long maritime border.
Melting sea ice has opened up new shipping routes, and countries have been keeping an eye on the vast reserves of hydrocarbons and minerals on the Arctic seafloor. As a result, the complex treaties, claims and boundaries governing the area have opened up new disputes.
Can quote: “Everything is a challenge, from water, fuel, food, moving people, keeping them comfortable,” said one company commander in Alaska.
US plans: The Pentagon intends to increase its presence and capabilities in the region, in an effort to rebuild cold-weather skills neglected during two decades of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Air Force has already delivered dozens of F-35 fighter jets to Alaska, and last year the Army announced its first strategic plan to “Reclaim Arctic Domination.”
Countdown to the French presidential election
Two weeks before the first round of voting in the French election, candidates such as Éric Zemmour, a far-right pundit, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a veteran left-wing politician, jostled for party votes. under Emmanuel Macron, the center incumbent, and Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, hope to interrupt their widely anticipated rematch.
Zemmour hold a big rally yesterday at the Trocadéro in Paris was designed to stem his slide in the opinion polls. The rally of tens of thousands of people has all the trappings of a last-ditch attempt to revive a campaign that began with a bang and then gradually stalled, as the candidate bogged down in contests. argue and fight to expand their voter base.
Mélenchon, leader of the leftist movement France Unbowed, was recent increase in voter surveys. He is comfortably in third with about 14 percent, largely ahead of his competitors on the left and within a few points of Le Pen, whose fierce rivalry with Zemmour has ingrained in her support.
Can quote: Mélenchon said at a rally in January: “Trust a wise and suffrage tortoise like me. “Slow and steady wins the race.” And, he added, mockingly, “I’m tired of a few hares.”
LATEST NEWS
Around the world
A billionaire real estate developer is nearing completion a lavish transformation of the old War Officean Edwardian memorial to Britain’s imperial past, in London.
The new property will include lavish residential apartments that until recently have catered to super-wealthy Russians, who have fallen out of favor since the invasion of Ukraine and are faced with sanctions. To say that the project has odd timing speaks to its absolute mismatch.
ARTS AND IDEAS
Andy’s World
Decades after his death, Andy Warhol is still everywhere. The the artist is the theme about an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, numerous theatrical productions, and a Netflix documentary series. A play in London,”Collaboration” – about the relationship between Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat – is being adapted for the big screen.
Warhol-mania currently seems like a fitting fit for a figure with well-documented brand and celebrity preferences – this is the one often attributed to the quote, “In the future, people will be famous.” world language in 15 minutes,” as Laura Zornosa writes in The Times.
When Brooklyn Museum Exhibition, which runs until June 19, highlighting Warhol’s faith and Catholic upbringing, the Netflix series “Andy Warhol’s Diary” offers a deeper look at romantic relationships and strange identities. his strange. Laura writes: “Together, the works create a kaleidoscope portrait of the person beneath the white wig.
PLAY, WATCH, EAT
What to cook?
That’s it for today’s briefing. Thanks for joining me. – Natasha
PS Frank Bruni, longtime Times writer, discussed his new memoir, about losing sight but gaining vision, on “Fresh Air” by NPR.
The latest episode of “The Daily“Explore how life has changed for Afghan girls under Taliban rule.
You can contact Natasha and the team at riefing@nytimes.com.
