2 reliable Russian news sites so far have absolutely no news of any kind, and call with Putin specifically, which to my eye seems very strange.
One thing that did pop up 15 minutes ago is the West has closed all air traffic over Ukraine until further notice since all insurers declared they will not cover any flights. Take it as is, not sure how to read this entire silence over the call and air space restrictions, even for private planes.
PS. (added via edit) Ukraine reported that there was a very loud explosion in Donetsk earlier today. Donetsk denied this and pointed out the explosion was on the border with Ukraine and where Ukrainian military has been positioned/concentrated for the past 2 weeks. FF?
Seems like it. I just followed up, all Russian sites now have very short mentions of the phone call, all say it took just over an hour, and all then indicate nothing really was discussed save for Putin pointing out that Russia and US were friends back in the '90s and he does not understand why we should be again. Also mentioned was Bidet giving "stern warning" that if anything happens to Kiev there will be hell to pay. Right...
Still odd that all of this took an hour, supposedly? Kiev did try to provoke a conflict, Donetsk didn't react.
Also interesting that all sites mention proclaimed ethnic purge/cleansing of Russians in Ukraine announced by someone in Duma (our Congress), but a lot of back pedaling by Kiev since.
Both UK and US have pulled all "military advisers" it seems, as of today. Though still supplying arms as we claim, "only self defense arms" including Javelins and short range missiles.
Its a wild and crazy ride in the past couple of days in Kiev. Zelensky says no war imminent, Bidet claims its coming.
2 reliable Russian news sites so far have absolutely no news of any kind, and call with Putin specifically, which to my eye seems very strange.
One thing that did pop up 15 minutes ago is the West has closed all air traffic over Ukraine until further notice since all insurers declared they will not cover any flights. Take it as is, not sure how to read this entire silence over the call and air space restrictions, even for private planes.
PS. (added via edit) Ukraine reported that there was a very loud explosion in Donetsk earlier today. Donetsk denied this and pointed out the explosion was on the border with Ukraine and where Ukrainian military has been positioned/concentrated for the past 2 weeks. FF?
So maybe this whole phone call thing is just part of the FF.
Seems like it. I just followed up, all Russian sites now have very short mentions of the phone call, all say it took just over an hour, and all then indicate nothing really was discussed save for Putin pointing out that Russia and US were friends back in the '90s and he does not understand why we should be again. Also mentioned was Bidet giving "stern warning" that if anything happens to Kiev there will be hell to pay. Right...
Still odd that all of this took an hour, supposedly? Kiev did try to provoke a conflict, Donetsk didn't react.
Also interesting that all sites mention proclaimed ethnic purge/cleansing of Russians in Ukraine announced by someone in Duma (our Congress), but a lot of back pedaling by Kiev since.
Both UK and US have pulled all "military advisers" it seems, as of today. Though still supplying arms as we claim, "only self defense arms" including Javelins and short range missiles.
Its a wild and crazy ride in the past couple of days in Kiev. Zelensky says no war imminent, Bidet claims its coming.
Thanks for the additional info.