Tuesday morning news - March 15, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

White House warns Chinese official against support for Russia » U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with a top Chinese official in Rome on Monday.

The top item on the agenda: China’s backing of Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Sullivan clearly conveyed this message:

PRICE: Any country that would seek to attempt to bail Russia out of this economic, financial morass will be met with consequences. We will ensure that no country is able to get away with such a thing.

Sullivan met with senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi. He warned that there—quote—“absolutely will be consequences” if China helps Russia “backfill” its losses from the sanctions.

The meeting came amid reports that Russia has asked China for military equipment to use in its invasion of Ukraine.

The Russians have seen significant losses of tanks, helicopters, and other equipment since the start of the war more than two weeks ago. Ukraine, while overmatched by Russian forces, is well-equipped with anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.

Russia’s assault continues in Ukraine as refugees top 2.8 million » Despite those losses, the Russian assault continues.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya told members of the UN Security Council on Monday that Russia is committing war crimes in his country.

KYSLYTSA: Cities and villages destroyed to the ground, mass graves, terror against civilians in the occupied territories, abduction and killing of representatives of local authorities, activists and journalists.

More than 2.8 million Ukrainians are now refugees, fleeing their homes as Russian forces continue shelling residential areas. The exodus is the biggest movement of a population in Europe since WWII.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will virtually address members of the U.S. Congress about the crisis tomorrow.

Peace talks continued on Monday. Russian officials say they’re making headway in those discussions. But White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said actions speak louder than words.

PSAKI: Diplomacy requires engaging in good faith to de-escalate, and what we’re really looking for is evidence of that. And we’re not seeing any evidence at this point that President Putin is doing anything to stop the onslaught.

Another American company is halting operations in Russia.

McDonald’s arrival was a symbol of change in what was still the Soviet Union at the time. But 32 years later, the company is closing nearly 900 locations, at least for now, joining a growing boycott amid the invasion of Ukraine.

White House exploring ‘range of steps’ to lower gas prices » Psaki also addressed record high gas prices. She said President Biden will leave no stone unturned as the administration looks to bring those prices down.

PSAKI: The president will continue to look at a range of steps that he can take, whether it is engaging though his team or even himself personally with big global producers, or it is looking at a range of domestic options.

According to AAA, the national average for regular unleaded held steady Monday at $4.33 per gallon.

The lowest average price right now is found in Kansas, $3.81 per gallon. The highest price, once again, California at $5.74 per gallon.

EU condemns 'barbaric' invasion, announces new sanctions against Russia » The European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday confirmed a fourth sanctions package against the Kremlin.

He condemned Russia’s—quote—"barbaric aggression" in what he called “Putin’s war.”

BORRELL: The Russian armed forces continue to carry out air missile and artillery strikes, targeting civilians, peaceful neighbors, hospitals, and schools.

And Borrell said EU members will sanction Russia's trade, market access, and membership in international financial institutions. They’ll also sanction Russia’s export of luxury goods and will target its steel, coal, and energy sectors.

EU states will also reportedly slap additional sanctions on some Russian oil companies, but it will not stop buying oil from them.

For now, Europe remains partially dependent on Russian oil.

Pfizer CEO recommends fourth vaccine dose » Pfizer is recommending a fourth dose of its COVID-19 vaccine to boost immunity.

CEO Albert Bourla told CBS News that in the short term, getting three shots is sufficient.

BOURLA: The protection that you’re getting from the third, it is good enough, actually quite good for hospitalizations and deaths.

But he conceded that that protection against milder cases of the omicron variant isn’t all that strong and immunity wanes over time.

He said his company is crafting a vaccine that is effective against all variants for at least a year. For now, he recommends people get a fourth dose of the vaccine, but the USDA will have to sign off on the additional shot.

Bourla said he’ll be submitting that request along with the data behind his recommendation to regulators very soon.

Currently, anyone ages 12 and older can get a third dose of Pfizer’s vaccine five months after a second.

I'm Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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