EL, once again my hat is off to your fortitude in confronting this so closely each day. You are right: this is Putin's war, not Russia's. And, I completely agree about the half measures: Putin is testing the West with his statement about anyone sending arms to Ukraine - the question, I am sure, on everyone's mind is, Is he bluffing? He really is testing the West's moral commitment to - well, anything. As we speak, I believe the PM is in Saudi Arabia begging what my American friends call "a great bunch of guys" for oil.
EL your time and dedication to this blog is very much appreciated. Few words to add today, but so sad to read about the pregnant lady who was rescued and her unborn baby who both passed away after the bombing of the hospital. Also the American journalist just doing his job, plus all the innocent people displaced, their beloved country destroyed by a mad man, not knowing what lies ahead for them. Watching this war unfold and fearing what's to come is truly heartbreaking. No peaceful solution it seems.
Thank you once again EL for such an admirable and comprehensive write up of what is going on in this terrifying conflict. It has always seemed to me that the UK, USA and the EU rightfully providing weapons and other assistance to Ukraine could be construed by Russia as participating in the military battle to save Ukraine from Putin. It has been an artificial distinction, hair splitting, which, until his current threat to bomb arms convoys from the West, Putin has studiously chosen to ignore. Basically, stopping short of boots on the ground and planes in the air, does not mean we are not participating in this war and it was only a matter of time before he made the threats. We are in a perilous half in and half out situation IMHO. Where does the West go from here?
So sad, but I read the words above, and as Putin constantly says this is a ‘special military operation’ and refuses all talk of ‘war’, the Geneva convention is not being followed. He has ‘kidnapped’ civilian mayors, and some members of the general public, I fear greatly for them. Should Ukraine also not follow the Geneva convention, have they actually signed the convention, many countries have signed up but we do know that not all prisoners are treated in many places according to this.
Will we be at war? I hope not, I hope for my grandchildren and my family, my son, who is current still serving, and my son in laws who may have to serve.
My dad fought in WWII, and he hoped that was the end, I still hope that, but fear not. There are strange things going on in the world that seem out of place, like the Indians firing into Pakistan, which they say was a mistake. Then Iran fires into Iraq at a US base, put all these together and it is very, very scary.
Bottom line is that NATO needs to get its act together, NOW. Thank you, EL, for your continued summarizations. Here's hoping that soon you will be able to report actual actions (and not just words) being taken to help resolve the crisis!
I read earlier about the missile attack on the military base "near" the Polish border; I didn't realize "near" was a mere six miles, that provocation is really cutting it close. Regretfully and sadly so many died and were injured in what certainly appears to be a warning shot at NATO. I was also sad to learn that one of the heroic journalists covering 'events' in Ukraine was also killed and another injured while attempting to do their job in reporting from the war torn country. (EL - thank you once again for your timely report. I can't imagine how you manage your time consuming workload - well done.)
EL, once again my hat is off to your fortitude in confronting this so closely each day. You are right: this is Putin's war, not Russia's. And, I completely agree about the half measures: Putin is testing the West with his statement about anyone sending arms to Ukraine - the question, I am sure, on everyone's mind is, Is he bluffing? He really is testing the West's moral commitment to - well, anything. As we speak, I believe the PM is in Saudi Arabia begging what my American friends call "a great bunch of guys" for oil.
Good thing this lot wasn't in charge in 1940. TC
EL your time and dedication to this blog is very much appreciated. Few words to add today, but so sad to read about the pregnant lady who was rescued and her unborn baby who both passed away after the bombing of the hospital. Also the American journalist just doing his job, plus all the innocent people displaced, their beloved country destroyed by a mad man, not knowing what lies ahead for them. Watching this war unfold and fearing what's to come is truly heartbreaking. No peaceful solution it seems.
Thank you once again EL for such an admirable and comprehensive write up of what is going on in this terrifying conflict. It has always seemed to me that the UK, USA and the EU rightfully providing weapons and other assistance to Ukraine could be construed by Russia as participating in the military battle to save Ukraine from Putin. It has been an artificial distinction, hair splitting, which, until his current threat to bomb arms convoys from the West, Putin has studiously chosen to ignore. Basically, stopping short of boots on the ground and planes in the air, does not mean we are not participating in this war and it was only a matter of time before he made the threats. We are in a perilous half in and half out situation IMHO. Where does the West go from here?
So sad, but I read the words above, and as Putin constantly says this is a ‘special military operation’ and refuses all talk of ‘war’, the Geneva convention is not being followed. He has ‘kidnapped’ civilian mayors, and some members of the general public, I fear greatly for them. Should Ukraine also not follow the Geneva convention, have they actually signed the convention, many countries have signed up but we do know that not all prisoners are treated in many places according to this.
Will we be at war? I hope not, I hope for my grandchildren and my family, my son, who is current still serving, and my son in laws who may have to serve.
My dad fought in WWII, and he hoped that was the end, I still hope that, but fear not. There are strange things going on in the world that seem out of place, like the Indians firing into Pakistan, which they say was a mistake. Then Iran fires into Iraq at a US base, put all these together and it is very, very scary.
Bottom line is that NATO needs to get its act together, NOW. Thank you, EL, for your continued summarizations. Here's hoping that soon you will be able to report actual actions (and not just words) being taken to help resolve the crisis!
I read earlier about the missile attack on the military base "near" the Polish border; I didn't realize "near" was a mere six miles, that provocation is really cutting it close. Regretfully and sadly so many died and were injured in what certainly appears to be a warning shot at NATO. I was also sad to learn that one of the heroic journalists covering 'events' in Ukraine was also killed and another injured while attempting to do their job in reporting from the war torn country. (EL - thank you once again for your timely report. I can't imagine how you manage your time consuming workload - well done.)