Kremlin Proxies Stage Referendums as Russia Aims to Seize Ukrainian Land

By Isabelle Khurshudyan, Robyn Dixon, Siobhán O’Grady & Kostiantyn Khudov | The Washington Post

Kremlin proxy authorities in occupied, war-torn Ukraine on Friday declared that “voting” had begun in staged referendums, and that Moscow’s desired outcome—a claim of public support for the annexation of Ukrainian territory—was assured.

More from WPR: Winning the War in Ukraine Will Take More Than Defeating Russia

U.S., Chinese Foreign Ministers to Meet as Taiwan Tensions Rise

By Humeyra Pamuk | Reuters

Senior diplomats from the United States and China will meet Friday with tensions high after a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and an explicit pledge by U.S. President Joe Biden to defend the Chinese-claimed island.

More from WPR: China Has Nothing to Gain From Invading Taiwan

U.S. Has Sent Private Warnings to Russia Against Using a Nuclear Weapon

By Paul Sonne & John Hudson | The Washington Post

The United States for several months has been sending private communications to Moscow warning Russia’s leadership of the grave consequences that would follow the use of a nuclear weapon, according to U.S. officials, who said the messages underscore what President Biden and his aides have articulated publicly.

More from WPR: Take Putin’s Nuclear Threats Over Ukraine Seriously, Not Literally

Bank Directors Urge Firing of Trump Official in Ethics Probe

By Joshua Goodman | Associated Press (free)

Executive directors of the Inter-American Development Bank voted unanimously Thursday to recommend firing a former Trump official as president of the Washington-based institution, a person familiar with the vote said.

More from WPR: Trump’s Pick for IDB Chief Could Hamstring Latin America’s Top Lender

U.S. Aircraft Carrier Arrives in South Korea for Joint Drills

By Kim Tong-Hyung & Lee Jin-Man | Associated Press (free)

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived in the South Korean port of Busan on Friday ahead of the two countries’ joint military exercise that aims to show their strength against growing North Korean threats.