Atrocities intensify anger over Russia’s war: Weekend Reads

At least 52 people were killed by a Russian missile strike on a train station crowded with evacuating refugees in the eastern city of Kramat [View in browser]( [Bloomberg]( Follow Us [Get the newsletter]( At least 52 people were [killed]( by a Russian missile strike on a train station crowded with evacuating refugees in the eastern city of Kramatorsk, Ukraine said, drawing another wave of international condemnation even as sanctions tightened on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government is showing the numerous ways it can evade or ride out the [penalties](, not least by continuing its lucrative sales of oil and gas to Europe. Meanwhile, Ukraine may have won the fight for Kyiv, but it needs more and heavier weaponry as thewar shifts east. The U.S. Senate [confirmed]( Ketanji Brown Jackson as America’s first Black woman to take a seat on the Supreme Court, while prosecutors said their investigations related to former President Donald Trump were continuing. In Asia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are shuddering under political [crises]( fueled by their leaders attempts to keep power. China’s Covid-19 lockdown of Shanghai may have seriously backfired on President Xi Jinping. Delve into our coverage of the war in Ukraine and these other top political stories in this edition of Weekend Reads. — [Michael Winfrey]( A candlelight vigil for Ukrainians who were killed in the towns of Bucha and Irpin, in Lviv, Ukraine, on Tuesday. Photographer: Seth Herald/Bloomberg Sign up [here]( for the Special Daily Brief: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and click [here]( for this week’s most compelling political images. Race Is On to Rearm Eastern Front That Could Decide Ukraine War After fending off Russia’s attack on Kyiv, Ukraine will need more than light anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to stop a new advance in its eastern regions. [Marc Champion](, [Natalia Drozdiak](, and [John Follain]( explain how the window to prevent a long war is [narrowing](. War-Crimes Justice Grinds Slowly Amid Fury Over Ukraine Killings The images of dead civilians in the streets and mass graves that emerged after Russian troops departed areas near Kyiv have prompted calls for Nuremberg-like war-crimes [trials](. But as [David Wainer]( reports, the effort to pursue charges may take years. Russia Sidesteps Sanctions to Flood a Willing World With Energy As Europe and the U.S. ratchet up sanctions on the Kremlin, there are [signs]( that Russia is propping up its economy. [Alan Crawford]( and [Julian Lee]( look into how Russian crude cargoes have sold out, Chinese firms are buying coal, and gas flows from Russia to Europe have increased. Mocked as ‘Rubble’ by Biden, Russia’s Ruble Comes Roaring Back In the days after the Ukraine war began, the ruble’s collapse was a potent symbol of Russia’s newfound financial isolation, prompting U.S. President Joe Biden to say it had been reduced to “rubble.” But as [Sydney Maki]( writes, the ruble has now surged back to its pre-war level. Europe’s Other Energy Problem: Relying on Russian Nuclear Fuel An incident involving a security detachment that delivered Russian nuclear fuel to a Ukrainian power plant before Putin invaded highlighted another [challenge]( for Europe. As [Jonathan Tirone](, [Kati Pohjanpalo]( and [Jesper Starn]( explain, the continent also depends on Russia for nuclear power. The United Nations General Assembly voted to [suspend]( Russia from the Human Rights Council, with 93 nations backing the measure and 24 opposing it. There were 58 abstentions. The Ukrainian envoy said the vote would be a defining moment for the UN, which he had criticized for not doing enough to stop Moscow’s invasion. Emmanuel Macron’s Win This Sunday No Longer Looks a Done Deal France votes in a presidential [election]( tomorrow that’s far from certain to return incumbent Emmanuel Macron to power. As [Ania Nussbaum]( and [Samy Adghirni]( report, Macron’s attempt to portray himself as a potential peacemaker in Ukraine might not be enough to secure victory. EU Sees Window in Biden’s First Term to Lock In Trade Gains The European Union is aiming to lock in [progress]( on trade and technology disputes with the U.S. amid concern that gains under Biden could be reversed. [Jorge Valero]( writes that the deliberations show the scars of former Trump’s confrontational approach toward Europe. Best of Bloomberg Opinion This Week: - [This Backdoor Keeps Russian Oil Flowing Into Europe: Javier Blas]( - [Only One Thing Will Help Ukraine Now. Weapons: Therese Raphael]( - [Putin Has Fallen Victim to the Dictator's Disease: Hal Brands]( - [The Street Has Spoken. Will the Strongmen Listen?: Ruth Pollard]( - [Are Republicans Really Turning Against NATO?: Jonathan Bernstein]( Confirmation Puts Jackson in a Unique Position: Justice-in-Waiting Judge Jackson has a lot of time on her hands after her [confirmation](. As [Greg Stohr]( explains, previous justices have typically had only a few days to start their lifetime appointments to the nation’s highest court, but Jackson’s seat won’t open until late June or early July. Trump N.Y. Prosecutors Make Clear He Is Still a Target Trump remains under criminal [investigation]( in Manhattan, District Attorney Alvin Bragg told [Greg Farrell]( in an interview. Bragg pushed back on reports that the probe had stalled as New York’s attorney general sought to hold Trump in [contempt]( this week for failing to respond to subpoenas. Explainers You can Use: - [Russia’s War in Ukraine: Key Events and How It’s Unfolding]( - [What Are War Crimes? Could Putin Face Prosecution?]( - [How Sanctions Are Pushing Russia to Brink of Default]( - [Why Pakistan’s Leader Is Facing the Risk of Ouster]( - [How Far-Right Gains Make French Vote Harder to Call]( Shanghai Lockdown Risks Becoming Biggest Crisis of Xi’s Tenure Pets beaten to death. Parents forced to separate from their children, locked-up residents chanting “we want to eat:” Scenes emanating from Shanghai have [shocked]( even people who once staunchly backed Xi’s Covid Zero strategy, and some have had enough. Workers move food supplies for residents during the lockdown in Shanghai on Tuesday. Photographer: AFP/Getty Images Pakistan PM Urges Protest After Likely Defeat in Confidence Vote Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan called for peaceful protests and repeated his assertion that the U.S. wants to oust his government. [Ismail Dilawar]( and [Khalid Qayum]( explain how he faces likely [defeat]( in a the Supreme Court-ordered no-confidence vote today. Sri Lanka’s President Defies Calls to Resign as Crisis Deepens Supporters of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he will not [resign]( after his government was left with a minority in parliament. As [Asantha Sirimanne]( and [Anusha Ondaatjie]( report, that will make it tougher to resolve an economic crisis that has triggered protests. Anti-Foreigner Vigilantes Exploit South Africa’s Economic Woes South African officials warned this month that an anti-immigrant vigilante group is gaining [momentum]( as it carries attacks that have led to dozens of deaths. [S’thembile Cele]( takes a look at “Operation Dudula,” a xenophobic group that’s capitalizing on the world’s deepest inequality. And finally … Trevinano, Italy, a hilltop hamlet of 142 residents, just secured a $22 million EU grant to fight depopulation. It’s a [test case]( into whether cash can staunch an exodus from villages across the 27-member bloc as more people move to urban centers with better jobs and services, [Flavia Rotondi]( and [Alessandra Migliaccio]( report. Residents in Trevinano on March 22. Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg Like Balance of Power? [Get unlimited access to Bloomberg.com](, where you'll find trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters. You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Balance of Power newsletter. 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