African Delegation Meets Putin
NATO members still disagree on how Ukraine can join the alliance
The destruction of the Kakhovka dam was a man-made and intentional incident that has damaged lives, wildlife, eco-systems, animals, and destroyed livelihoods. One of the images that gripped me was a puppy being rescued by volunteers. The look of fear in its eyes, as it had no one to help it, no idea what was going on and it was rescued. Imagine that several thousand times over when there was no warning, and your life is swept away.
The aftermath will be debris and dead animals washed up on beaches, cholera and other water borne diseases will be rife, not to mention all the displaced survivors. In the Russian occupied areas of Kherson, the Russians are refused UN humanitarian aid workers access and so these people cannot be evacuated, nor will they receive any supplies that they need to survive.
There are no words for this cruel and inhumane act that is irreversible. Towns can be rebuilt eventually, but not until the war is over. Where will these people live, and who will help them with the mental scars they carry?
Day 479 (17 June)
The African delegation arrived in St Petersburg to meet with Putin. It seems the peace mission is a bit of a smokescreen as the 10 point peace plan was presented. South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Congo, Brazzaville, Comoros, Zambia and Uganda had representatives in the delegation. (South Africa and Uganda appear pro-Russian, and the others have appeared neutral for now. Among the points were nothing new that hasn’t been mentioned except that they want the ICC warrant for Putin’s arrest to be cancelled. That is not for any country to decide on as the ICC is independent and the ‘peace plan’ offers nothing of substance.
All prisoners of war should be released back to their countries. In the case of Russia, some are being tried in court for various trumped up charges of being mercenaries or for being Neo-nazis.
Russian troops to withdraw from Ukraine.
Prevention of ecocide (unsure how they can do that after the destruction of the dam?).
Establish a Russian war crimes tribunal.
The sovereignty of the states must be respected (all occupied territory to be returned to Ukraine).
They called for the ICC warrant of Putin’s arrest to be suspended.
The setting up of security guarantees.
Ensure the exports of grain and fertilisers (the main issue for African countries that rely on these commodities).
Humanitarian assistance for war victims (the world is already doing that).
A plan for post-war reconstruction, as in getting Russia to pay for what it has destroyed.
The children that Russia deported from Ukraine should be returned to Ukraine. (Putin objected to this and said that Russia was saving them and keeping them safe)
The final point is that Ukraine/Zelenskyy to have better interactions with African countries. A moot point as Kubela, the foreign minister recently toured African countries fro that very purpose already.
The South African president, Ramaphosa said that the war needed to be settled via diplomacy and reiterated the effect of the war on African countries due to the grain exports that the countries rely on. The African countries consider the war to be conflict with the West, but it isn’t. This is about Russia wanting to reform the Soviet Union and from preventing the former states from being independent and democratic.
Can South Africa be trusted? Ukraine says trust must be gained and with countries abstaining from votes to support them it is hard to believe that African countries are offering any support. Russia has spent decades wooing the countries and have provide them with cheap weapons and supplies. They bought their loyalty back then and African countries would want something from Ukraine in return for their support.
Day 480 (18 June)
Denmark will supply Ukraine with F-16s if the US approves the transfer.
The latest Russian propaganda is that Ukraine is largely demilitarised (an aim of the special military operation) as they now relying on weapons supplied by the West. What Russia wanted is for Ukraine to have no weapons or army so it could not defend itself and become reliant on Russia for protection even though they are attacking Ukraine!
Biden, for the US has stated that the US will not back plans to make it easier for Ukraine to join NATO. This has to be the most stupid thing I ever heard bar Merkel saying that it was right decision not to let Ukraine join NATO in 2008.
They've got to meet the same standards. So I'm not going to make it easier. (Biden)
As the US is the main contributor to NATO, this could be an issue as other countries appear to favour giving Ukraine a speedy ascension to protect them. The US elections are in 2024, so it may not even be his decision when it comes to it, and it seems to contradict the line that the US will do what it takes to help Ukraine win the war, except to help them defend themselves in the long term.
People should start looking at Hungary’s membership and whether they should remain in the alliance given that they have not assisted Ukraine and have blocked some resolutions to assist.
A French TV channel (TF1) has bene criticised for promoting the Russian army. They followed Russian troops and filmed them and broadcast the show with the Russians launching missiles at Ukrainian targets, while praising the Russian army. Macron has yet to comment.
Reports claim that the Kakhovka dam explosion was probably started in the machine room, therefore, it is likely to have been placed by a Russian with access to the plant as it was controlled by the Russians.
Ukraine still fights in the Donbas, in particular Lyman, Bakhmut, Marinka, and Avdiivka. Small advances have been made by Ukraine as the counteroffensive continues.
Day 481 (19 June)
Russia has refused to give UN humanitarian aid workers access to occupied Kherson, therefore, these people are trapped with no means to evacuate and no essential aid such as clean water or food.
Ukraine has liberated Pyatykhatky in Zaporizhzia, making it 9 settlements that have been de-occupied since the counteroffensive began.
As I commented earlier, the dreadful devastation of the destruction of the dam will be felt for generations.