We are now in day twenty-four of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and things continue to be in the same holding pattern—though there are continued air strikes, some now hitting Kyiv, one hitting an aircraft repair facility outside of Lviv. Some 6.5 million Ukrainians are internally displaced, and considering how many have headed to Lviv, the air strikes there are all the more concerning. In the meantime, negotiations with Russia continue, and there seems to be a bit of a shift in some of the tone. Meanwhile, President Biden had a two-hour video call with Chinese president Xi Jinping to sound out where China stands on this conflict, and to essentially warn the Chinese that there will be consequences if they side with Russia in this. As well, Russian and NATO commanders appear to be in constant communication to ensure that any mistakes made don’t wind up touching off a larger conflict by accident.

Elsewhere, in the wake of her comments about Canada being a middle power who was good at convening others, Mélanie Joly had a conversation with Janice Stein of the Munk School of Global Affairs yesterday that generated a number of pieces. In it, Joly acknowledged that the Canadian Forces need to be better-equipped, which tends to spiral into the trap of taking the NATO two-percent goal seriously (when it’s a terrible measure). But she’s not wrong about the equipment, as the pivot from Cold War tactics to fighting the Taliban has left the Canadian Forces largely under-equipped for the kind of situation facing Ukraine right now. As well, she praised the role American intelligence has played in helping Ukraine to thwart the Russian advance, and in uniting the West. Joly also says that she wants to position Canada as a leader in combatting propaganda and disinformation starting with social media, which is going to be a very big fight if the way that the conversations around amending the Broadcasting Act last year were any indication.

Good reads:

• While Sean Fraser says they can resettle both Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, there are questions why the Afghans can’t also get faster processing.
• The federal government’s planned green bond programme prohibits investment in nuclear (per international standards), as critics accuse it of mixed messages.
• Dr. Theresa Tam says a rise in new COVID cases are not unexpected as restrictions are lifted, but hopes that severe cases can be managed this time.
• NACI is now recommending that Moderna can be used on kids aged six to eleven.
• Here is a look at some of the military gear we’re sending to Ukraine.
• The Royal Canadian Navy terminated a recruit training exercise on the West Coast after incidents of racism and sexual misconduct.
• Jean Charest says governments should listen to health experts on lifting restrictions and not just apply their own judgment. (Is that advice going to be transparent?)
• Independent MP Kevin Vuong has told constituents he hopes to one day re-join the Liberals and that he didn’t resign as it would be admitting guilt.
• The City of Ottawa calculates that the occupation cost some $36.3 million, which they want the provincial and federal governments to pay up for.
• The Line hears from Joti Heir in Ukraine about how social media has had a galvanising influence on Ukrainians, and may be doing more than sanctions are.
• Paul Wells has coffee with Ontario Liberal leader Steven Del Duca and discusses his thoughts in advance of the provincial election.
• Althia Raj hears from new Conservative leadership candidate Scott Aitchison, who brands himself a bridge-builder (never mind his campaign teaser is a truck advert).
• My weekend column points out that promises to increase military spending are just handwaving until they fix the reasons why they can’t currently spend their budget.

Odds and ends:

I *hate* this portrait with the fire of a thousand suns. It should be cast into the pit. https://t.co/RX1A8eYrRj

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) March 18, 2022

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