How Russia’s attack on Ukraine violates international law
PBS NewsHourMar 05, 2022
Day 28 Roundup: Biden Arrives in Brussels for Summits as NATO Pledges to Double Eastern Flanks
Photo: Reuters [via The Guardian]
The Facts
NATO on Wed. announced plans to double eastern flank battlegroups near Ukraine to 8, and said they'd help the country prepare for possible chemical, biological and even nuclear threats. This came just hours before Biden arrived in Brussels.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces pushed back Russian forces several miles east of Kyiv, according to a US official. Earlier, Russian forces bombed and destroyed a bridge in the encircled city of Chernihiv, the region's governor, Viacheslav Chaus, said.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after a fraudulent election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to re-write history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
Nerd narrative
There's a 14% chance that Kyiv will fall to Russian forces by June, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
