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☆ Putin's supporters call for the liquidation of Ukraine as 'genocidal rhetoric' swells
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Alexander Nemenov | Afp | Getty ImagesProminent supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin are using increasingly "genocidal rhetoric" when discussing and demonizing Ukrainians, analysts note, with some pro-war commentators cheering the concept of the "liquidation" of the modern state of Ukraine. "To be a 'Ukrainian' one does not even have to speak the Ukrainian language (which is also still being formed). "All this can be stopped only through the liquidation of Ukrainian statehood in its current form," Medvedev said. Another popular motif being used by pro-war, pro-Putin bloggers is characterizing Ukraine and Ukrainians as "evil" or "sadists" or "Satanists." "As ISW has previously reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin has similarly employed such genocidal language in a way that is fundamentally incompatible with calls for negotiations."

☆ Russian and Cuban leaders meet in Moscow, hail 'traditional friendship'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday met with his Cuban counterpart in Moscow, where the two unveiled a monument to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and hailed the “traditional friendship” between their sanctions-hit nations. We have always supported Cuba on the international stage and we see that Cuba takes the same position towards Russia,” Putin said. Other top Russian officials struck similar tones in their meetings with Díaz-Canel, who arrived in Moscow on Saturday. Cuban state media reported that Díaz-Canel’s agenda will focus on the energy sector, very sensitive for the island as it battles shortages of food, medicines and fuel. Havana’s main regional political ally, Venezuela, has sold the island the oil Cuba needed for the past two decades.

☆ Fact Check-No evidence Russia’s former president tweeted to offer Poland ‘the best air defence systems’
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An image of a fake tweet has misled people to think that it’s evidence of Russia’s former president, Dmitry Medvedev, offering defence equipment to Poland to protect itself from Ukraine. The screenshot appears to show a post on Medvedev’s Twitter account that reads: “Russia is ready to supply Poland with the best air defence systems to prevent further agression from Ukraine [sic]” (here and here). NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the missile appeared to have been fired by Ukraine’s air defences (here). But there is no evidence Medvedev posted a tweet offering Poland defence equipment. Reuters reported on Medvedev’s authentic reaction to the Nov. 15 incident in Poland (here).

☆ Russia's Medvedev says Polish missile incident shows West moving closer to world war
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Nov 16 (Reuters) - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that an alleged missile strike on Polish territory showed that the West was moving closer to another World War. "The incident with the Ukrainian-alleged 'missile strike' on a Polish farm proves just one thing: waging a hybrid war against Russia, the West moves closer to world war," Medvedev wrote on Twitter. NATO member Poland's president said earlier that the country had no concrete evidence showing who fired the missile, which struck a Polish grain facility some 6 km (4 miles) from the Ukrainian border and killed two people. Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy FaulconbridgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ruthless Djokovic crushes Rublev to reach last four in Turin
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TURIN, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic booked his place in the last four of the ATP Finals with a crushing 6-4 6-1 defeat of Russian Andrey Rublev at the Turin showpiece on Wednesday. After the first nine games went with serve, Djokovic switched on the afterburners to outclass Rublev. Rublev, who like Djokovic had won his opening match at the year-ender, capitulated when serving to stay in the opener, losing the set as Djokovic thumped a backhand return winner. The second set was a non-event as five-time champion Djokovic roared to victory in little more than an hour. "In the second set I just wanted to use that momentum and it was a flawless second set."

☆ Putin ally Medvedev says Russia hasn't used all its weapons yet in Ukraine, a hint at its nuclear arsenal after another major loss
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Dmitry Medvedev noted pointedly that Russia still has weapons it's not used in Ukraine. Russia has been hit by heavy setbacks in the war, mostly recently its loss of the city of Kherson. Medvedev wrote in his latest message: "Russia, for obvious reasons, has not yet used its entire arsenal of possible weapons, equipment and munitions. Ukraine has pushed back Russian forces across a large swath of east Ukraine. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said last month the consequences of using nuclear weapons for Russia would be "catastrophic."

☆ Rublev battles back to down Medvedev in ATP Finals opener
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Andrey Rublev squandered seven set points early in his meeting with fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev before roaring back to seal a 6-7(7) 6-3 7-6(7) opening victory at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday. "I was thinking about the U.S. Open, because when we played in the quarter-finals in 2020, I think I was 5-1 in a tie-break, also something like 6-2, but I was leading something similar in a tie-break," Rublev said. "But when I lost that set, I couldn't play anymore, and I was thinking it can't happen (again) I have to change something. You have to keep playing'," Rublev, who also beat Medvedev in the Cincinnati semi-finals last year, said. "For sure, he felt the same, 'so just keep playing if you have the chance, go for it'.

☆ Putin supporters left reeling by yet another Russian 'surrender' in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mikhail Klimentyev | Afp | Getty ImagesAs Russia's military commanders announced another major withdrawal in Ukraine Wednesday, pro-Kremlin commentators have described the retreat as a humiliating and significant defeat for President Vladimir Putin. Putin kept a low profile as Russia announced it was withdrawing its troops from the tentatively-occupied city of Kherson and the west bank of the Dnipro river, which bisects the Kherson region in southern Ukraine. The military said it could no longer supply its troops there and was worried about the safety its military personnel. Just six weeks later — during which time Russia evacuated thousands of Kherson's residents to Russian territory, a move Ukraine decried as deportation — and Putin's words ring hollow. Ukrainian Armed Forces' military mobility continue toward Kherson front in Ukraine on November 9, 2022.

☆ Medvedev says Russia is fighting a sacred battle against Satan
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 4 (Reuters) - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday cast Russia's war in Ukraine as a sacred conflict with Satan, warning that Moscow could send all its enemies to the eternal fires of Gehenna. Ukraine and the West have repeatedly dismissed President Vladimir Putin's assertions that Ukraine is run by fascists who have persecuted Russian speakers. In a message marking Russia's Day of National Unity, Medvedev said the task of the fatherland was to "stop the supreme ruler of Hell, whatever name he uses - Satan, Lucifer or Iblis". Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said Russia had different weapons, including the ability to "send all our enemies to fiery Gehenna", using a Hebrew term often translated as Hell. Satan's weapons, Medvedev said, were "intricate lies.

Is Russian President Vladimir Putin stepping back from the nuclear ledge? Concerns over Russia’s possible use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine had lessened recently, the sources said. Putin himself has given mixed signals over the question of Russia’s threshold for nuclear use. Russian President Vladimir Putin. “While Putin is unlikely to use nuclear weapons, that is because he is deterred by the fear of escalation, including nuclear escalation.

☆ Fritz leads American quartet into Paris Masters second round
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Fritz, the highest-seeded American in the draw beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-5 6-2 on the back of a decent first serve despite trailing by a break in the opening set. He's got weapons on both sides, he's extremely quick as well, so there's nowhere you can really play with a lot of safety," Fritz said. "Felix has played really, really well, so he deserves it, but I am going to try to steal his spot this week for sure." Frances Tiafoe also moved into the second round without conceding a break point with a 6-4 6-4 win over Lorenzo Sonego while fellow American Maxime Cressy ousted Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-3. Defending champion Novak Djokovic, world number one Carlos Alcaraz, Rafa Nadal and Daniil Medvedev are among the main seeds who received a bye into the second round.

☆ ATP roundup: Daniil Medvedev rallies to title in Vienna
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

October 30 - Top-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia rallied to defeat Canada's Denis Shapovalov and win the Erste Bank Open on Sunday in Vienna, Austria. Medvedev saved six of nine break points and finished with 26 winners and 20 unforced errors. Shapovalov posted 38 winners and 31 unforced errors and finally succumbed on Medvedev's seventh match point. It is the fourth career tour-level title for Auger-Aliassime, 22, who hammered 11 aces, saved all three break points and finished with 34 winners and nine unforced errors. Rune posted 21 winners and only six unforced errors, but Auger-Aliassime came through with a crucial service break in the penultimate game of the match.

☆ Elon Musk manages free speech versus 'hellscape' at Twitter
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Sheila Dang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The pressure is mounting on Musk and Twitter as he is set to address the Twitter staff on Friday after closing the deal. Fewer than 10% of 266 Twitter employees who participated in a poll on messaging app Blind expected to still have their jobs in three months. Musk fired Twitter Chief Executive Parag Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal and legal affairs and policy chief Vijaya Gadde, according to people familiar with the matter. Twitter, Musk and the executives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As news of the deal spread, some Twitter users were quick to flag their willingness to walk away.

☆ Ukraine questions Twitter takeover amid precarious ties with Musk
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Oct 29 (Reuters) - A senior Ukrainian official expressed scepticism on Saturday about the takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk, whose relations with Kyiv have been precarious since the billionaire suggested in early October Ukraine should give up occupied land for peace. Musk, a self-declared "free speech absolutist", has expressed desire to shake up Twitter's content moderation, and tweeted that "the bird is freed" after completing the purchase. Musk tweeted on Friday that Twitter would form a content moderation council "with widely diverse viewpoints". Kyiv's reaction to his takeover of Twitter also contrasted sharply with Moscow's, where the deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, tweeted his congratulations to Musk on Friday. And quit that Starlink in Ukraine business," Medvedev wrote, referring to the thousands of satellite-connected internet devices Musk's company SpaceX operates in Ukraine.

☆ As Elon Musk takes over Twitter, free speech limits tested
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Sheila Dang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The pressure is mounting on Musk and Twitter as he is set to address the Twitter staff on Friday after closing the deal. Fewer that 10% of 266 Twitter employees who participated in a poll on messaging app Blind expected to still have their jobs in three months. Musk fired Twitter Chief Executive Parag Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal and legal affairs and policy chief Vijaya Gadde, according to people familiar with the matter. Twitter, Musk and the executives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As news of the deal spread, some Twitter users were quick to flag their willingness to walk away.

☆ Factbox: Has Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The West says Russia has made repeated threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, but what has President Vladimir Putin actually said on the possible use of nuclear weapons? The Kremlin chief said the West was plotting to destroy his country, engaging in "nuclear blackmail" by allegedly discussing the potential use of nuclear weapons against Moscow. And those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the weathervane can turn and point towards them," Putin said. Putin, the ultimate decision maker on any nuclear launch, has not publicly mentioned tactical nuclear weapons in relation to Ukraine. Russia's nuclear doctrine allows for a nuclear strike after "aggression against the Russian Federation with conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened".

☆ ATP roundup: Stan Wawrinka ousts Casper Ruud in Switzerland
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7] Aug 8, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Stan Wawrinka (SUI) hits a shot against Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) (not pictured) during first round play at IGA Stadium. David Kirouac-USA TODAY SportsOctober 25 - Playing in his home nation and on a protected ranking, 37-year-old Stan Wawrinka knocked out No. 2 seed Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Tuesday in Switzerland. He saved all three break points he faced against Ruud, went 2-for-2 in break points converted and held a 9-5 edge in aces. In the second round, Thiem could face No.

"SAP is fully committed to winding down our business in Russia as quickly as possible," a SAP spokesperson said. Russia's parliament has been discussing draft legislation that would allow Moscow to seize Western companies' assets and possibly prosecute executives involved in implementing sanctions against Russia. While Gazprom and Sberbank were hit by Western sanctions, Nornickel was not. The SAP case sheds light on the complications Western companies face leaving Russia. While some departing companies have fired local staff, SAP gave them the option to relocate from Russia.

☆ Elon Musk complimented a top Putin official for trolling Liz Truss, and got invited to Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk praised a Putin ally for trolling the UK's prime minister over her resignation. On Thursday, Dmitry Medvedev trolled UK Prime Minister Liz Truss for resigning after only 44 days in office, and alluded to a running joke in UK tabloid The Daily Star about whether she'd last longer than a lettuce. Musk was criticised for the jokey interaction with Medvedev, who has previously served as prime minister and president of Russia, and now leads its security council. Musk, the world's richest man, has recently made a series of outspoken pronouncements on the Ukraine war and tensions between Taiwan and China. Fiona Hill, a former White House Russia expert, said Putin was likely manipulating Musk.

☆ Lettuce 1, Liz Truss 0
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Henry Austin | Henry Austin Is A London-Based Editor For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON — Liz Truss lost to a head of lettuce. The leafy vegetable's decay was more gradual than Truss' crumbling tenure as British prime minister, which ended with her resignation Thursday. Her decision provided an unlikely victory for the lettuce, which had been pitted against her by a tabloid newspaper last Friday. Amer Ghazzal / Shutterstock“The lettuce outlasted Liz Truss,” the caption declared as a remix of “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang kicked in, lights flashed in the background and bottles of alcohol were added to the scene. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev tweeted “congrats to lettuce” shortly after Truss’ speech.

☆ Russia says outgoing PM Truss was a 'catastrophically illiterate' disgrace
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova speaks during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovOct 20 (Reuters) - Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday welcomed the departure of British Prime Minister Liz Truss, saying she was a disgrace of a leader who would be remembered for her "catastrophic illiteracy". "Britain has never known such a disgrace of a prime minister," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a social media post. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Zakharova's reference to illiteracy appears to refer to that trip, when Truss was British foreign minister. In a meeting with Russia's veteran foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, she appeared to confuse two regions of Russia with Ukraine, drawing mockery in Russian media.

☆ Obama says Putin has 'isolated' Russia and 'consolidated decision-making' to a greater extent than during the Soviet era
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Obama said he was concerned about the "weak" level of communication between Washington and Moscow. He said Putin has "consolidated decision-making" to a greater extent than during the Cold War. The ex-president made the comments on the Obama administration alum-run podcast "Pod Save America." "Lines of communication between the White House and the Kremlin are probably as weak as they have been in a very long time. I think Putin has consolidated decision-making to a degree that we haven't seen even during the Soviet era."

Allied with the troubled call-up of hundreds of thousands of troops, each new development helped fuel a sense of panic in Russia. Putin said Monday’s deadly strikes were revenge, though Kyiv claimed they had been planned well in advance. “The attacks have not degraded Ukrainian military capabilities and are fundamentally irrelevant to the fighting in the northeast and south of Ukraine,” Tuck said. Sustaining such attacks will require a constant supply of rockets, which Moscow is increasingly running out of, military analysts said. Already, Kyiv says Russia has been using more “kamikaze” drones, procured from Iran, as a cheaper and more dispensable alternative.

☆ Novak Djokovic is welcome at Australian Open, says tournament director; Russian and Belarusian players can compete
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic would be welcomed to play at the Australian Open if he can obtain a visa, according to tournament director Craig Tiley. Djokovic holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup as he celebrates victory at the 2021 Australian Open. Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesNeutral flagTiley also said that Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to participate under a neutral flag in the upcoming Australian Open. “At this point, Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play in the Australian Open,” Tiley said. But they will be welcome to the Australian Open in January.”The 2023 Australian Open begins on Monday, January 16 in Melbourne.

☆ Explainer: Why Russia's missiles on Ukraine have limited impact
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Peter Graff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Ukraine says Russia fired 83 cruise missiles on Monday and that it shot down at least 43 of them. Both sides say the attack was on a huge scale, unseen at least since Russia's initial wave of air strikes on the first night of the war in February. Western military analysts have no firm figures for how many missiles Russia has left, but for months have pointed to indicators suggesting the supply is limited. Ben Hodges, another former commander of U.S. ground forces in Europe, said that despite Monday's attacks, Ukraine still appeared to have "irreversible momentum" on the battlefield. "Russia's logistics system is exhausted and no Russian wants to fight in Putin's war in Ukraine," he tweeted.

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