All eyes on Bakhmut as Russia fights to take it over (March 6) : NPR

Here is an outlook and summary of the most important developments over the past week.

Something to see

Russian forces have been trying to take Bakhmut, a small town in eastern Ukraine, for months. Ukraine’s top generals want to continue defending the city, which has become a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance.

Turkey’s talks with Sweden and Finland over their NATO membership bids are expected to resume on Thursday.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, visits the White House for talks with President Biden on Friday following her trip to Canada.

Also on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron will receive British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for talks in Paris.

What happened last week

The best US and Russian government diplomats met for the first time since the beginning of the invasionin a short walk and talk alongside Group of 20 Nations Foreign Ministers meeting in India.

Chinese guide Xi Jinping and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko met in Beijing and declared their nations’ friendship “unbreakable”. Lukashenko, a close Kremlin ally, backed China’s proposal to end the war in Ukraine.

President Biden received Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the White Houseby reaffirming their unity by supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Two key bridges in Bakhmut were destroyed, However, it was unclear by whom as both sides could have tactical reasons for doing so.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters in Europewill remain in her post after her centre-right party overwhelmingly won Sunday’s election.

incoming

In the Donbas, the huge numbers of Russian troops are weighing heavily on the defenders of Ukraine.

The top US and Russian diplomats are meeting for the first time since the beginning of the Ukraine war.

Russia bombards Ukraine with cyber attacks, but the impact seems limited.

The Justice Department’s task force targets Russian oligarchs and their fortunes.

Merrick Garland supports efforts to hold Russia accountable for war crimes.

Meet the volunteers providing aid to residents of embattled Bakhmut, Ukraine.

Russia’s foreign minister is laughed at for comments about Ukraine at a world conference.

How Russia’s war in Ukraine is changing the world’s oil markets.

Ukraine is dominating elections in Estonia, a key NATO ally.

As G-20 ministers gather in Delhi, Ukraine could dominate – despite India’s own agenda.

NPR’s Rough translation Podcast delves into the covert effort to bring abortion pills to Ukraine.

special report

Russia’s war in Ukraine is changing the world: Check out our updated report on its impact on all corners of the globe.

Previous Developments

You can read past reviews here. For more information on NPR’s reporting, click here. Also, listen and subscribe to NPRs State of Ukraine Podcast for updates throughout the day.