Australian Artist Removes Offensive Mural
Ukraine warns residents in occupied areas to prepare bomb shelters and to stock up on supplies
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant continues to be an issue, the impending energy crisis looms upon Europe as winter approaches, and Ukraine prepares itself for a bloody battle to kick the Russians out of Ukraine.
Russia is resorting to a variety of tactics, stalling for more time by giving the appearance of wishing to negotiate, and of course if they kill or capture Zelenskyy, then taking Ukraine would be far easier without a leader. The situation is static of sorts—Ukraine is preparing to de-occupy, while Russia is pushing them back. The rest of Europe is slightly distracted with the energy crisis, but know it is tied in with the war and that they can’t give in to Russia, and that have to figure out a way to keep the domestic politicians happy, and the international community too.
In other news, Liz Truss has been confirmed as the new UK Prime Minister (for now) which does keep the UK position on Ukraine stable as she was the Foreign Secretary. Boris Johnson gave what I think was a damned fine speech in the circumstances, defending himself, thanking the public for voting for him, and who offered his support to the party and Liz Truss, and encouraged all to put aside their differences for the greater good.
Day 194 (5 Sept)
Peter Seaton, known as CTO was the artist who created the mural ‘Peace Before Pieces’, and within 48 hours he has chosen to paint over it as the consensus is that it is offensive. He will sell off 12 NFT images and then the mural will be destroyed (proceeds to go to charity). He had been warned prior to the unveiling in Melbourne, that it would be considered offensive by a Art4Ukraine but didn’t seem to heed the warning.
What this shows is that the world has little idea of the cultural issues in Ukraine and their history with Russia. Yes, it is offensive to try and promote peace when people are being tortured, raped, killed, and imprisoned for nothing more than not agreeing to Russian rhetoric. The same can be said of the US and the Native (First) Americans when people don’t understand the historical conflicts, or with China and Japan (when Japan invaded China), when people often offend because of their lack of knowledge of the historical tensions.
While art is an expression of ideas, what this was doing was promoting a flawed concept based on ignorance. No one wants war, but true peace is an illusion when an aggressor party doesn’t achieve what they aimed to gain. World War II could only end because Hitler had committed suicide. If he had gone into hiding or exile, the threat of his return would have overshadowed any prospect of real peace.
Ukraine has advised residents in occupied regions to brace themselves if they choose to remain in the area. Many have been evacuated, but those who are elderly or are infirm have chosen to stay. Residents are being advised to prepare bomb shelters, power up their electrical devices and power banks, and to stock up on supplies. In order for Ukraine to liberate and de-occupy the land, there must be war to oust the invaders.
In Zaporizhzhia, the last power line connecting it to the Ukraine grid was disconnected due to a fire that started from Russian shelling. This is what the IAEA inspectors had feared, yet their presence seems to have made little difference to how the Russians have chosen to act. The Russians do not wish to demilitarise the area, even if it compromises safety.
This is the 6th time the unit has been shutdown according to reports. It is hard to keep up with the activities in the power plant because reports vary, and the situation seems to change several times a day.
One thing we do know, is that it is in an unstable situation which can affect many other countries, so, yes, this is Russia being selfish and endangering the world and the lives of millions. Scientists have estimated should there be a nuclear accident, this could affect Moldova, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Romania, with radiation contamination.
Russian has sanctioned 25 US citizens, which include Sean Penn and Ben Stiller, actors who have openly supported Ukraine. This means they are banned from entering Russia.
The EU has reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine to win the war and peace. I wonder how Hungary feels about this as they isolate themselves from the EU by ignoring the EU position on many issues? As we can see from Ukraine, Russia was successful in their invasions due to traitors, so having Hungary in the EU and NATO as a potential traitor is not good for optics, and worse if they do slip information to to Russia that they acquired as members of the alliances
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Ivan Safronov, a Russian former journalist has been sentenced to 24 year imprisonment for exaggerated charges of treason. He was told his sentence would be reduced to 12 years if he confessed to passing information to spies in the Czech Republic.
The sentence was passed with secret evidence against him, and there have been cloak and dagger scenarios throughout, with two his lawyers apparently fleeing the country. He had been arrested in 2020 before the new laws on prison sentences for those who print or spread fake news on the special military operation, and it is this ‘crime’ that Safronov is being punished for.
The de-occupation of Ukraine continues, but not without bloodshed. In the region of Kreminna, Ukraine destroyed military equipment and reports of 400 Russian lives were taken. We must also remember that while some Russians have committed atrocities, there are some who have had no choice but to fight and who know that they will die
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Russian called for a two hour truce to recover the dead bodies of their comrades. Usually, the Russians have left them to rot where they were and it was left to Ukrainians to pick up the bodies and to put them in storage. They are humans after all and deserve some dignity in death.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has prosecuted another Russian collaborator for passing information on military deployments to the Russians In Chernihiv. He was sentenced to 16 years, and the accomplice was sentenced to 10 years. Their betrayal has cost the lives of thousands of Ukrainians and destroyed homes and families. I don’t think time in prison can ever make amends for that.
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Day 195 (6 Sept)
Macron has stated that there needs to be a 10% reduction in energy consumption to prevent rationing, and power cuts. Many other countries have already implemented energy saving actions, and this is an international effort where we must save energy not only because it is ecologically sound, but because rationing is not a position any country wants to face. Hungary being the exception it seems, as their ties to Russia seem more important that democracy.
Ukraine has been urged to ratify the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court by the EU in a meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council on 5 September. While Ukraine signed the treaty, it has not ratified it which means it is not bounds by its jurisdiction, and the ICC may be used in their state. The Statute was not ratified because it conflicted with the Ukrainian constitution, but it should be noted that the US has not ratified either because they wish to retain control of any prosecutions in the US. Russia and China have not ratified the treaty either which is of no great surprise.
Russia is reported to be buying military equipment from North Korea. That comes as no surprise either since Russian representatives have been in North Korea for meetings, and that North Korea supports Russia and seeks further ties in their quest to ‘attack’ the West.
Iryna Vereschchuk, the deputy Prime Minister has demanded an evacuation corridor for citizens in Zaporizhzhia. Many have left if they have been able to due to the instability in the area near the power plant, and many are seeking ways to leave. This is where the UN can come in handy, but so far they have been ineffective in managing evacuation corridors. Let us hope they can up their game before people get killed.
My focus is still on the mural and I am not going to apologise for this as an Australian member of the 'international community; despite awareness that the effects of 'the energy crisis' are going to be felt more in Europe than here, nonetheless, 'for the greater good', we need to heed your words Ex Libris. Melbourne artist, Peter Seaton's mural, 'Peace before Pieces', - of a Ukrainian soldier hugging a Russian. " While art is an expression of ideas what this was doing was promoting a flawed concept based on ignorance. No one wants war, but true peace is an illusion when an aggressor party doesn't achieve what they aimed to gain." I am now quoting from earlier because you make points that no matter our age, we can all act and speak offensively, without meaning to. ' ...little idea of the cultural issues in Ukraine and their history with Russia.' '...imprisoned for nothing more than not agreeing with Russian rhetoric.' '... when people don't understand the historical conflicts.' '...when people often offend because of their lack of knowledge of the historical tensions.'
I have only started to read your article, but want to say you are right about cultural ignorance, however, the more experienced and not so young are less 'idealistic' and yet have strong beliefs that they know require fighting for despite exceptional sacrifices, losses and dreaded bloodshed.