The Debate

What happened to the Moskva? Russia's flagship cruiser in the Black Sea is out of action. Moscow claims there was a fire on board, while Kyiv is crowing that it was due to a Neptune anti-naval missile. Either way, how will it impact the Kremlin's designs on the entire Ukrainian coast?

When French voters cast their ballots in the April 24 presidential run-off, the result will be watched well beyond our borders. For now, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen are serving up opposing visions of France's place on the world stage. He is for ratcheting up concerted EU sanctions against Vladimir Putin, while she is against any oil or gas embargo. The incumbent backs working together on defence, while his far-right rival wants France to quit NATO's integrated military command. Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, who is the right candidate for this moment?

And so begins a mad dash to the finish in the French presidential race. After a surprisingly sluggish start to the campaign, the first round served up the predicted outcome but also its fair share of surprises. The April 24 runoff is incumbent Emmanuel Macron's to lose, say the pollsters. But in a rematch of the 2017 second round, the centrist incumbent has his weaknesses that the far-right's Marine Le Pen astutely exploited in a campaign where she has been out pounding the flesh while Macron has been attending summits.

More evidence is emerging of what happened when towns around Kyiv were under Russian occupation after heavy bombardment. Ukraine's president is warning that there are more shocking revelations to come. The Ukrainian president is warning that the deaths in Bucha could be only the beginning and says he has intelligence that even more civilians have been killed in places like nearby Borodyanka.

Moscow has so far shrugged off hard evidence of summary executions in the liberated Kyiv suburb of Bucha, evidence which continues to mount. As the West dials up sanctions and arms shipments, as Ukraine's president makes his case to the UN Security Council, we gauge the mood in the room. Will blanket denials be enough to keep on board nations big and small who by necessity or principle see it in their interest to give equal air time to the Kremlin?

Moscow has so far shrugged off hard evidence of summary executions in the liberated Kyiv suburb of Bucha, evidence which continues to mount. As the West dials up sanctions and arms shipments, as Ukraine's president makes his case to the UN Security Council, we gauge the mood in the room. Will blanket denials be enough to keep on board nations big and small who by necessity or principle see it in their interest to give equal air time to the Kremlin?

Moscow has so far shrugged off hard evidence of summary executions in the liberated Kyiv suburb of Bucha, evidence which continues to mount. As the West dials up sanctions and arms shipments, as Ukraine's president makes his case to the UN Security Council, we gauge the mood in the room. Will blanket denials be enough to keep on board nations big and small who by necessity or principle see it in their interest to give equal air time to the Kremlin?

Is it a turning point? There's outrage over the carnage and desolation left behind by retreating Russian forces north of Ukraine's capital. We discuss war crimes accusations in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and ask – now that the war's set to last – whether the Kremlin's ultimate objective is to occupy Ukraine or reduce it to rubble.

Is it a turning point? There's outrage over the carnage and desolation left behind by retreating Russian forces north of Ukraine's capital. We discuss war crimes accusations in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and ask – now that the war's set to last – whether the Kremlin's ultimate objective is to occupy Ukraine or reduce it to rubble.

Is it a turning point? There's outrage over the carnage and desolation left behind by retreating Russian forces north of Ukraine's capital. We discuss war crimes accusations in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and ask – now that the war's set to last – whether the Kremlin's ultimate objective is to occupy Ukraine or reduce it to rubble.