Germany Delivers Patriot System To Ukraine
Zelenskyy visits Donbas, Kremlin claims Putin has visited occupied parts of Ukraine
Over the last several days the same stories have been developing:
The Pentagon leaks from the Thug Shaker Central Discord server headed by Jack Teixeira (known as OG’ original gangster) are still being analysed and the users of the chat group being chased. Members of the group were concerned and also reported these to the authorities, and while it appears to be a young man trying to gain clout and attention by proving to others he had ‘power and information’, he knew what he was doing was illegal. Teixeira will be in court again today ( to determine whether he should remain in federal custody and if the case should be moved to Virginia), but many do not believe he was a whistleblower, but was someone who disagreed with the government position in Ukraine, and who abused his position and carried out acts of treason that endangered the country and lives of many carrying out covert operations.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative has several issues besides the Russians making up the rules to suit them by blocking the process, and they have said the existing agreement would end on 18 May 2023, unless the West lifted sanctions and permitted their grain and fertiliser exports. Several countries have also suspended Ukrainian imports due to concerns over domestic profits—Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia have suspended the import but are still allowing the grain to transit through the countries. However, the EU is unhappy that countries are making such decisions without informing the EU and it appears that the EU could provide subsidies instead
The issue of NATO membership for Ukraine continues with the main allies that provide weapons to Ukraine appearing to be less than supportive of the campaign to achieve fast track membership. The phrase ‘security guarantees’ has been used by Zelenskyy, but what he really means is NATO membership for we all know that is the only security guarantee or one similar to Article 5.
Day 417 (16 April)
The EU has criticised the countries that have banned Ukrainian imports of grain and has demanded an explanation from Poland and Hungary. Slovakia also announced they would impose a temporary ban (until the end of June 2023) and Bulgaria has also expressed concerns and that they would seek to restrict imports of Ukrainian grain. This is why it has become political—the leaders fear for their jobs and are looking for votes as farmers protest and the leaders have chosen to protect domestic markets. The difference is that the EU structure already does that and compensates farmers who are left out of pocket.
It’s quite shocking that Ukraine only has one Blackhawk helicopter, which is the latest model that can transport troops quickly to an area and under the radar. The US has over 2000 it is reported, yet Ukraine has one and that was purchased privately through crowdfunding after raising $6million. It’s all well and good countries offering weapons, but many are old and are surplus and it’s like giving Ukraine their hand-me-downs, while they are not at war and have the latest equipment to repel hostiles.
Orthodox Easter was celebrated in Ukraine despite the constant missile attacks.
Discussions on what security guarantees can be given to Ukraine will be discussed at a NATO meeting, but it is also about the optics for propaganda reasons. If the Russians see that the western allies are reluctant to agree to offer NATO membership to Ukraine, then they will see it as a victory and will allow the Russians to use it to claim that the West is bad an that is interferes with other countries.
Day 418 (17 April)
There have been more execution of Ukrainian soldiers videos sent to the Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, and each must be investigated as a war crime. We knew that this would happen, but the challenge is to identify those responsible, prove it, and then find an entity or body that can prosecute and punish those involved.
Russian soldiers have admitted to killing and torturing civilians, POW, and children in a number of videos, and the authorities appear to have identified the Russian who beheaded a Ukrainian POW. How they will find them and prosecute them is another matter.
Canada is preparing to handover a confiscated Russian plane to Ukraine. The AN-124 cargo plane was a confiscated asset, and Canada is the first country to try and transfer these over to Ukraine to be used to finance the reconstruction of the country. Russia has already said that they will make life difficult for western companies leaving Russia, and would seize their assets and transfer them to the government.
Chechens who left Russia and who sought asylum in Croatia had their request denied. They were trying to avoid having to go to Ukraine to fight, but will be deported. Many countries do not see it as a humanitarian issue, but there is the danger that Russian refugees could be spies too.
Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic has been sentenced to 25 years for criticisms on the war in Ukraine. He was charged with treason and for spreading ‘misinformation’ on the Russian army. He was also fined 400,000 roubles.
I subscribe to every word that I have said. Not only do I not repent any of this, I am proud of it. I know that the day will come with the darkness and golf in our country were clear. Our society will open its eyes and shadow, when it realises what crimes were committed in its name.
I only blame myself for one thing, that I failed to convince enough of my compatriots and politicians and democratic countries of the dangers of the current Kremlin regime poses for Russia, and for the world
He was arrested last year on a minor charge of disobeying a police officer and additional charges were made against him while in custody. His work had largely persuaded the West to impose sanctions against Russia, and highlighted the human rights violations and corruption in Russia. In a speech, he claimed that Russia was using cluster bombs on schools and maternity hospitals (suggesting genocide) which has been verified, and stating that this was a war crime.\
The UK, US, Canada, Japan and France have signed an agreement that seeks to remove Russia from the International Civilian Nuclear energy market. This means that all the countries must increase production of nuclear energy or find other sources.
STATEMENT ON CIVIL NUCLEAR FUEL COOPERATION BETWEEN CANADA, FRANCE, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND THE UNITED STATES
Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States share common visions of democracy as well as safe and secure global economic and energy systems. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war against Ukraine and the increasing impacts of climate change have fundamentally altered the global energy landscape and accelerated the need for collaboration between like-minded allies. In the June 2022 Group of Seven Leaders’ Communique, our Leaders made clear our collective intent to reduce reliance on civil nuclear and related goods from Russia, including working to assist countries seeking to diversify their nuclear fuel supply chains.
To this end, Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States have identified potential areas of collaboration on nuclear fuels to support the stable supply of fuels for the operating reactor fleets of today, enable the development and deployment of fuels for the advanced reactors of tomorrow, and achieve reduced dependence on Russian supply chains. This multilateral effort would aim to recognize and leverage the unique resources and capabilities possessed by each country’s civil nuclear sectors to establish a global commercial nuclear fuel market. Collaborating on strategic opportunities in uranium extraction, conversion, enrichment, and fabrication supports our collective climate, energy security, and economic resilience objectives. This multilateral cooperation would enable us to strengthen our domestic sectors and establish a level playing field to compete more effectively against predatory suppliers.
This strategic collaboration aims to increase the depth and resilience of our nuclear fuel supply-chains, while supporting the wider geostrategic objectives of further reducing reliance on Russia in the nuclear fuel supply chain for the long term and increasing the availability of commercial free-market alternatives in the supply of civil nuclear technologies to third countries. The supply of civil nuclear technology, equipment, or materials would be subject to applicable domestic laws, regulations, and international agreements.
Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States further seek to explore avenues to collaborate in multilateral spheres to advance energy security and economic resilience for partners around the globe. We welcome the announcements made at G7 this year of additional action in support of this goal.
Day 419 (18 April)
Putin has allegedly visited occupied regions in Ukraine including Kherson and Luhansk. Images have been released by the Kremlin, but they have not been verified or date stamped with live video footage and could be part of a propaganda campaign to convince Russians that the annexed regions are safe and under control.
Grain transit agreements between Poland and Ukraine have been made and restrictions for transit will be lifted on 21 April 2023.
Zelenskyy has visited areas in Donbas, in particular Avdiivka which has recently been evacuated as the Russians appear to have made it their next target.
Macron is interfering again, and claims that he is trying to create the conditions for talks between Ukraine and Russia. His foreign policy adviser Emanuel Bonn is to work with Wang Yi of China to work out a means to do this. So far, Macron’s meddling has led to deaths and the invasion of Ukraine, and China is only interested in China. When will he understand that Russia doesn’t want to talk except for Ukraine to concede to all its demands?
The EU has allocated finical aid packages to those countries affected by Ukrainian grain imports. A package worth €56 million has been allocated to Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania.
Ukraine has invited the Brazilian president (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva) to visit the country to see for himself the war crimes that Russians have allegedly carried out, the consequences of the Russian acts of aggression and how it destabilises the security of the world. It remains to be seen if he will accept the invitation and such an invitation was made to Xi Jinping of China with no response either.
Allegedly, Egypt suspended plans to supply Russia with weapons after speaking to US officials. This is all about politics now, and countries will have to choose a side publicly at some point.
Russia has denied Evan Gershkovich’s appeal to be released from custody on espionage charges. The hearing was to request he be out under house arrest, but his pre-trial detention request was rejected and he remains on remand.
Poland is increasing security along its borders with Kaliningrad and have also installed security cameras and motion detectors along the 199 km border near Vistula Spit.
Former Wagner fighters have admitted that they killed and tortured civilians and children, effectively admitting to war crimes. Alexey Savichev and Azamat Uldarov were both ex-convicts recruited by Wagner and who have now been released after serving 6 months.
Day 420 (19 April)
Several Nordic countries are accusing Russia of a plan to sabotage wind farms and cables in the North Sea. Russia allegedly has vessels disguised as fishing trawlers carrying out surveillance on Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The vessels have also been seen around the UK.
A joint investigation was carried out and with intercepted Russian communications, the ‘ghost ships’ also turned off their transmitters so that their locations could not be tracked. The Admiral Vladimirsky. Each time the vessel approached a wind farm it slowed down, and a masked person was seen on the vessel carrying a rifle.
Russia has been testing its Tobol electronic warfare system which would jam and block the Starlink satellites that Ukraine uses. A leaked document identified three areas where the system was tested and included Bakhmut in the Donbas.
Germany has delivered a SAM Patriot system to Ukraine, along with Zetros trucks and other military vehicles
Japan is providing $23 million to cover military risks in Ukraine as part of an agreement worth $400 million for the restoration of infrastructure in the long term.
Ukraine is keen to gain support from other countries. Kuleb (FM)a visits Kuwait to discuss support for reconstruction and investment in Ukraine, while Shmyhal (PM) has been in Canada recently.
Lukashenko of Belarus met with the DNP proxy leader (Pushilin) in Minsk to discuss trade. Ukraine considered this an unfriendly act and has recalled the Belarusian ambassador.
Russia seeks support from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
The EU has said that all countries must comply with the ICC arrest warrants issued for Putin’s arrest.
The propaganda battle continues with the US charging 4 Americans and 3 Russians for ‘malign influence’ in the US. This was a group that planted information to further Russian interests by way of propaganda and disinformation.
BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS statement from Kremlin critic Vladimar-Murza!!!!!!