Belarus referendum approves proposal to renounce non-nuclear status - agencies … A referendum in Belarus on Sunday approved a new constitution ditching the country's non-nuclear status at a time when the former Soviet republic has become a launch pad for Russian troops invading Ukraine, Russian news agencies said.

Ex-Attorney General William Barr Urges GOP to Move On From Trump  —  Book recounts confrontational meeting in Oval Office and says Republicans need to focus on new leaders  —  Former Attorney General William Barr writes in a new book that former President Donald Trump has …

Historic sanctions on Russia had roots in emotional appeal from Zelensky … As the leaders of the European Union gathered for an emergency summit on Thursday night, momentum was already moving toward imposing tough new sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Two of Russia's billionaires call for peace in Ukraine … Two Russian billionaires, Mikhail Fridman and Oleg Deripaska, called for an end to the conflict triggered by President Vladimir Putin's assault on Ukraine, with Fridman calling it a tragedy for both countries' people.

GOP Sen. Tom Cotton won't condemn Trump's praise of Putin  —  Trump called Putin “smart” and his actions “genius” and “savvy.”  —  Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has refused to condemn former President Donald Trump's praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin amid his invasion of Ukraine.

Live Updates: Putin Places Nuclear Forces on Alert as Ukraine Agrees to Talks with Russia  —  Civilians joined Ukraine's outgunned military in the country's desperate bid to stop Russia's offensive, winning increased support from other countries.  The E.U. said it would ban all Russian aircraft …

Neutral Swiss poised to freeze Russian assets - president … Swiss President Ignazio Cassis said on Sunday that it was “very probable” that neutral Switzerland would follow the European Union (EU) on Monday in sanctioning Russia and freezing Russian assets in the Alpine country.

Shame On Those Who Defended Trump's “Perfect Call”  —  Never forget that as president Donald Trump led an organized campaign to withhold military aid and blackmail the Ukrainians.  And that Republicans let him get away it.  —  It's worth remembering now, as so many Republicans pin …

U.S. protests Israel's refusal to back UN resolution condemning Russia  —  U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield protested to her Israeli counterpart over Israel's refusal to join 87 countries in backing a U.S.-led resolution to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the UN Security Council …

War Propaganda About Ukraine Becoming More Militaristic, Authoritarian, and Reckless  —  Every useful or pleasing claim about the war, no matter how unverified or subsequently debunked, rapidly spreads, while dissenters are vilified as traitors or Kremlin agents.

Putin Seems to Sideline Advisers on Ukraine, Taking a Political Risk  —  Authoritarian leaders rely on elite support to govern.  Jeopardizing those relationships in wartime could be risky, experts say.  —  Does President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia have the support he needs at home to wage a costly war in Ukraine?

BP to offload stake in Rosneft amid Ukraine conflict  —  BP is to offload its 19.75% stake in Russian state-owned oil firm Rosneft after Russia's “act of aggression in Ukraine”.  —  The oil giant had come under pressure from the UK government to make the move since Thursday's invasion.

Kosovo asks U.S. for permanent military base, speedier NATO membership … Kosovo has asked the United States to establish a permanent military base in the country and speed up its integration into NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kosovo's Defence Minister Armend Mehaj said on Sunday.

Kyiv's mayor: ‘We are encircled’ but full of fight  —  KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — As Russian troops draw closer to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv's mayor is filled with pride over his citizens' spirit yet anxious about how long they can hold out.  —  In an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday …

Putin Has Already Caused a Revolution in Germany  —  If you had any sense of history and found yourself near the German Bundestag in Berlin on Sunday, you could have heard the sound of an explosion.  It wasn't a physical one, like the blasts of the bombs Russian President Vladimir Putin is lobbing at the brave people of Ukraine.

Trump Tightens Grip On Republican Activists At CPAC Since Last Year  —  In a straw poll, 85% said they would support his candidacy in 2024, up from 68% who said at last year's CPAC that he should run again.  —  By S.V. Date  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — The man who lost the House …

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul drops state school mask mandate  —  New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sunday that the state's school mask mandate will be lifted, two days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released relaxed guidelines for wearing face masks in public spaces.