NATO (finally) Responds After A Month

Poland and other Eastern Bloc countries start to mount their defences

Zelenskyy is due to address NATO tomorrow (Thursday) in Brussels, after addressing the Japanese, and French Parliaments today. One thing is for sure, and that is Zelenskyy has spoken to all countries that can help, and forged alliances in the wake of his leadership in the space of a month. However, we, the world at large must be concerned about Mariupol and the Russian attack that is determined to forge a corridor to the West. They have left the port unscathed because they need it, but destroyed the historic city and let the civilians choose between dying or being shipped to Russia. The West had been too complacent, and must learn from this and to take the necessary precautions that the people expect and demand.

Much has been said of NATO and the no-fly zone, but how necessary is it? The Ukrainian troops have mounted a solid defence, but we all know that they need help to repel another attack, and that their supplies will dwindle with no humanitarian aid coming in (which the Russians have blocked or destroyed). Garry Kasparov, suggested that the US leave NATO, then they would be free to assist Ukraine if they really wanted to. However, that is unlikely as NATO is dependent on US contributions, and there is a feeling that the US hides behind red tape when it suits them, and dismisses it when they feel the end justifies the means. What it means is that Ukraine is being sacrificed in a way, and I cannot fathom how the world can forgive the entities such as the UN and NATO, who selfishly chose to offer limited assistance, and in some cases late in the day after people had already died.

Today was a sunny and dry day, and I walked around town and looked at the high rise buildings, then imagined them crumbling down and what destruction it would cause. and how many would perish. That is happening in real-time not so far away, as I read some accounts from some survivors. They have seen and experienced horrific things, watching people being burned and blown up, trapped in shelters not knowing whether they will live or die, and refugees that escaped but who don’t know where they will end up. The true cost of human lives and their suffering can never be truly measured, and all of this in less than a month, where the West have ‘helped’ but on their terms. Here is a link to an account of what life is like in Kyiv now. https://cepa.org/kyiv-at-war/

We hear politicians declaring that Russia has carried out ‘war crimes’—no kidding Sherlock! What this has shown us that the West is weak when it comes to decisive action, and Putin saw that weakness back in 2014 (when he invaded Crimea) and has exploited it. Like many multinational organisaztions, NATO has proven that it is ineffective in times of crisis, and are sticking hard and fast to the rules that they created. The US Constitution allows amendments for the very reason that they knew that progress requires change and adaptions, and NATO is no different.

The news that a Russian official (Anatoly Chubais )resigned over the Ukrainian war is an indication that this is as we all know is a Putin war. Ironically, he gave Putin his first job in the Kremlin and now look at what that decision has done. He is in Turkey, safe from Putin’s soldiers for now, but he probably can never return to Russia for he is now considered a traitor.

Let us look at some undisputed facts, that NATO and the UN have allowed on their watch, that also indicates this is not a ‘special military operation’ (that no one asked for—there were no cries asking Putin to save them) but an unprovoked invasion. The justification was to de-nazify Ukraine and to save the Ukrainians, but how do you do that by murdering them and destroying their homes?

• Cities have been attacked with missiles and destroyed. NATO or other Western forces could have intervened early and prevented the destruction.

• Civilians have been shot in the street, or have been given a choice to die or be ‘kidnapped’ and transported to Russia.

• Schools, hospitals, and shelters have been targeted and destroyed.

• Military bases have been targeted and destroyed.

• Women have been raped, while their husbands have been murdered.

• Evacuation routes have been attacked and blocked.

• Humanitarian aid had been attacked and blocked, especially in Mariupol that is resisting Russian occupation.

• There have been no genuine attempt to negotiate a ceasefire. The Russian demands are inconsistent with their attempts to justify the invasion.

Day 28 (23 March)

• The French government confirmed that Macron did speak to Putin yesterday. Macron still believes that good faith negations will lead to a ceasefire. I think Macron believes too much of his own hype and overestimates his ability to reason with a dictator. There comes a time when you must admit that talks will yield no good results. What are the potential outcomes? Ukraine falls and Russia then plans to invade other states, or the Kremlin ousts Putin and a ceasefire is on the table? Can Ukraine hold off the Russians for a sustained period of time? The Russians know they can’t without the West feeding them more weapons, but what if the West stops supplying aid and weapons?

• The UN is deciding whether to kick Russian out of the G20 meeting scheduled later this year (October 30, in Bali). I pretty much think that’s a no brainer, but Russia states it will attend.

• The G7 meeting is due to be held tomorrow, and was extended to include Russia as the G8 (1997-2014). The were kicked out after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, so didn’t the UN and NATO think to act there and then instead of waiting until a month after Russian invaded Ukraine and murdered people and destroyed cities?

• Russians have destroyed a lab in Chernobyl, which cost millions to set up, and that the Russian might be in possession of ‘active’ samples which could be dangerous.

  

• An evacuation path was bombed by the Russians. A bridge in Chernihiv was destroyed, blocking access to other parts of Ukraine. This is where the actress Mila Kunis was born, and she and her husband (Ashton Kutcher ) have been raising funds for Ukrainian refugees.

• Reports claim that a humanitarian convoy has been captured by the Russian, and Ukrainian emergency personnel have been kidnapped. While not verified, these are common occurrences during a war, and not a special military operation.

• NATO finally agrees to step up defences in, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania after a month. This is an acknowledgement that current defensive measures were inadequate, and that Russia is a potential threat to these smaller states who are vulnerable.

  

• There has been an increase in people signing up for the Polish Army—they know they are vulnerable and wish to be prepared and it is clear that one cannot rely on, or depend on NATO for much except a few statements that sound good, but do very little. Those in the East know that Russia will have an eye on them, and that Putin will not stop at Ukraine now that he has started—if only NATO could see that…

• Nestle has opted to halt supplying brands to Russia. They had previously stopped their investments in Russia, but will now only sell essential foods such as baby formula.

• Zelenskyy addressed the French Parliament today, asking them to impose tighter sanctions, and criticizing car manufacturers such as Renault, who started work again in a Russian factory. Renault could lose more by continuing to work in Russia, where consumers will choose not to support the brand, seeing them as traitors to democracy. This is a bad move by Renault, and a u-turn is likely, sooner rather than later. As I write, they have done a u-turn within hours and have suspended operations in Russia again.

• Poland is expelling 45 Russian diplomats who are accused of spying, who have abused their status by gathering information for the Russians. Some Polish associates have been arrested already, and this will probably be repeated in other border states.

• Former intelligence officers have stated that they had warned that Putin’s war was imminent back more than a decade ago. With this in mind (besides the fact that no one truly trusted Putin) didn’t NATO and the UN have a responsibility to do more to prevent a war or an invasion?

• Zelenskyy addressed the Japanese Parliament today, again asking for stricter sanctions and a full trade embargo against Russia. He also made reference to a the possibility of the dangers of Chernobyl being taken over by the Russians, as the Japanese had their own nuclear disaster in 2011 in Fukushima. Other scientists have grave concerns and have called for safety teams to attend Chernobyl to ensure the facility is secure.

• The NATO Secretary General has been making a few speeches today, about a month too late as far as I am concerned. They had the power to act and chose not to use it. Jens Stoltenberg has stated that while they support Ukraine, they have a responsibly to make sure war doesn’t escalate beyond Ukraine—so, basically it is okay for Ukraine to be destroyed, so long as it protects NATO countries?

• Stoltenberg states that the invasion is ‘brutal’ and watching the human suffering is ‘terrible’. So tell us something that we don’t know? Useless words that have zero impact. He goes on to say China will be discussed, because they have assisted with spreading pro-Russian propaganda. What powers does NATO have over China? Not many, and would the Chinese will take any notice?

• Hostages are being released on the condition that they make hostage videos stating they were well treated by the Russians…

• Russia is to expel US diplomats in retaliation of 12 Russian diplomats who were expelled while visiting the UN in the US earlier in March.

• Russia blocks access to news on Google, claiming that is promotes false information about Russian troops and the ‘special military operation’. YouTube is also at risk of a ban.