BLOG NOTES: 2:00

CNN

• Rusia is trying to keep Western countries from fleeing the country.  https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/01/investing/russia-economy-capital-controls/index.html
• “Capital controls” are designed to stop the exodus, announced by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.  Companies would be prevented from selling Russian assets.
• BP announced it was planning to exit its 20% stake in Russia’s biggest oil company, Rosneft.  Shell has followed suit.
• A French company announced it would not provide new capital for Russian projects.
• Norway’s $1.3 trillion sovereign wealth fund will divest shares in 47 Russian companies as well as Russian government bonds.
• Richard Haas joins the “Putin is a madman” narrative CREATED BY THE NEWS ANCHORS.  “He may not be rational” Haas says about Putin.  Based on what evidence?  Then, absurdly, Haas says:  “You have to be really careful about assumptions.” 
• The ruble plunged by about 25% on Monday.  It has lost half its value since the invasion began.
• Russians have raised interest rates to 20% and prevented the stock market from opening for a second day.
• 1:15 PM (EST)
• Commentator: “This is the battle of Berlin.”

FOX

• Ukrainian member of parliament thanks the west and asks for more equipment.  “We will resist with everything we have.”
• (Note: Democrats won’t even prosecute Trump, et. al.)
• Shelling in downtown Kharkiv.
• 677,000 new estimates of refugees.

Ukraine World News  www.ukraineworld.org

• Ukrainian intelligence reporting that Russia is planning to organize a provocation to justify further Belarusian participation in the invasion.
• Ukrainian government saying it may resort to a preventive strike on Belarus to keep it from participating in the invasion.
• Note: Kyiv Indepenent is also carrying the same story from above.

Twitter

• NEXTA TV is reporting that Canada will ban Russian ships from entering its ports and territorial waters as of next week.