How united on Ukraine is the EU? | DW News

Jun 11, 2022

Unity in the face of aggression is a sentiment EU member states stressed over and over again when Russian troops first invaded Ukraine. But that unity developed cracks when it came to the specifics - how to punish Putin and his allies? How to best support Ukraine? Now, over a hundred days into the war, the positions keep drifting apart, as Christine Mhundwa reports.

The European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen made a surprise visit to Kyiv for talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

They focused on Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. Kyiv submitted its membership application back in March. Brussels is set to publish its final assessment next week. Von der Leyen says the commission is working all-out to facilitate the process.

 

Putin Has Withdrawn! Russia Is Now Independent of European Human Rights

Council

Why do Russians still back Putin on the invasion of Ukraine? 

DW News

Jun 3, 2022

When the war started, Putin aimed at a swift victory. 100 days later, Russia has had to withdraw, regroup and focus its attacks on the East. When the invasion started, some anti-war protests emerged in Russia. Now, these voices seem rather silent. How is Putin selling this as a success to the Russian people? 

There's been a lot of speculation about Putin's health in recent months. Unconfirmed reports suggest he may be suffering from cancer or Parkinson's disease. Is there anything to it than just rumors?

 

Putin’s War: Inside The Mind Of Vladimir Putin 

NBC News NOW Special

May 25, 2022

As the world watches Russia’s war in Ukraine with horror, it’s become clear that the key to understanding the conflict is understanding Vladimir Putin. Keir Simmons takes an in-depth dive into putin’s history, interviews some of his closest confidants, and the man himself, to better understand how we got here, and ask what’s next for Russia, and the world.

 

Serbia, Russia and the war in Ukraine 

DW Documentary

May 24, 2022

Serbia has refused to impose sanctions on Russia up to now. The majority of Serbs support Putin’s war in Ukraine. Many have traumatic memories of NATO bombing during the Kosovo War and mistrust the West.

This documentary shows how the war in Ukraine has actually strengthened many Serbs’ feelings for Russia and upped President Vladimir Putin’s popularity. At demonstrations, protesters chant "Serbia and Russia: brothers forever” and "Putin, Putin”. Construction worker Sreten Mijovic regards Ukrainians as antichrists. For him, the most important things in life are Russia, Serbia and the Serbian soccer club Red Star Belgrade. The Grbovic family remembers the frightening weeks that they spent in the cellar during the NATO bombing campaign in 1999 — when Russia was the only country that took Serbia’s side.

Serbia would like to join the European Union, but it feels strong ties to Russia because of a shared culture and the Christian orthodox faith.