While Putin winning the election in Russia came as no surprise, what it means is that Putin intends to continue with the war in Europe, and that has led to the EU and other European countries to sit up and get themselves ready for war. Ukraine is still focusing on EU membership to help save them, while still begging for more weapons from the allies. This war will not be ending anytime soon while Russia is still making money—enough to finance the war. Make no mistake, Ukraine knows that victory and freedom depends on the generosity of the allies.
A handful of autocratic world leaders congratulated Putin on his victory and that included India and Hungary. Yes, Hungary— a member of NATO and the EU , where Orban isn’t afraid to show his support for Putin or Russia, despite member countries of the alliances being told to support the position of the alliances in that they oppose the actions of Russian aggression. Everyone is wondering why the EU and NATO don’t reprimand Hungary, and it’s all about politics and power rather than adhering to the charters of the alliances
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The US keep telling the world and Ukraine that they won’t let Ukraine fall, yet the government does not control Congress, and it is the Republican House of Representatives who are holding up the $60 billion aid bill. There has been no US funding since Nov-Dec 2023 on a scale that would make a difference to the Ukrainian army, and it is estimated that Ukraine will run out of ammunition by the end of March. The allied countries, especially the Czech Republic are doing their best to purchase ammunition for Ukraine as quickly as possible as production of ammunition takes place to replenish stocks.
Recent reports claim that the US have asked Ukraine to stop targeting oil refineries as they are concerned that Russia will retaliate by attacking the West. If Russia does, then they know they will have started World War III and will give NATO just cause to defend itself from Russia. If true, the US has no business telling Ukraine how to do battle when they are using their own weapons, or weapons that other countries have permitted them to use on Russian soil. As it is an election year in the US, all the politicians are more concerned about their own jobs right now rather than Ukraine.
As several countries in Europe have declared they are getting ready for war with conscription in place, increasing production of ammunition and weapons, plus fortifying borders, it seems only a matter of time before allied troops get involved. They can’t sit back and watch the Ukrainian army get slaughtered, or will they? Nothing has changed—Ukraine doesn’t have enough weapons, and not enough trained soldiers while Russia has plentiful supplies of both. In Russia, they have even closed 2 prisons (to date) as the convicts have been conscripted into the army already—will Ukraine do the same?
The Baltic states are always proactive having been under Soviet rule at some point, and Estonia’s PM, Kaja Kallas said:
A Russian defeat in a full scale war on Ukraine will help prevent World War III.
Day 754 (18 Mar)
Putin wins the Russian elections despite most of the western world stating it was not a free or fair election. There really isn’t much they can do about it, but they don’t have to host him as they have done in previous years, thus validating his position as president.
Navalny’s widow asked people to vote at noon at the ‘Noon at Putin’ as a protest. It was hard to see if people were protesting as some came out with families and stood in queues by polling stations as a protest, while in other countries, people queued outside the Russian embassies. To be honest, I don’t think it made much of a difference as you couldn’t tell who was there to silently protest or who was there to vote. There is only one way to get rid of Putin and via an election was never a realistic option.
The Siberian Battalion, an anti-Kremlin militia group stormed and took over a Russian administration building in Gorkovskyi.
In Belgorod where many of the militia groups are targeting, reports claim that some villages have been evacuated, and children have been moved out of the area.
The Ukraine Assistance Fund will receive €5 billion to be allocated to the Ukraine to help the country to purchase military equipment so that they can defend themselves. This comes from the European Peace Facility that raised the financial limit
Romania has begun to build the largest NATO base in Mihail Kogqlniceanu for 10,000 personnel and their families, exceeding the size of Ramstein in Germany. Looks as if NATO is investing and preparing itself for a potential threats in Eastern Europe.
The EC president Charles Michel said:
Europe must prepare for war. If Europe wants to exist in peace it must shift to a war economy mode and significantly bolster defence capabilities int eh face of the threat posed by Russia.
Day 755 (19 Mar)
The International Olympic Committee has permitted Russian and Belarusian participants to compete under a neutral flag, but they will not take part in the opening ceremony. Russia has said it will hold a ‘Friendships Games’ instead in September 2024, which is what they did in 1984 (with 8 other countries) when they boycotted the Olympics, in an attempt to politicise the event. Russia accuse the IOC of racism and neo-nazism for not permitting Russian and Belarusian competitors.
The 20th Ramstein meeting was held in Germany, and led to another round of military aid packages being announced. Canada will release $2 billion to assist Ukraine in supporting their governmental infrastructure and $30 million for artillery shells, and Germany announced another military aid package but does not include Taurus missiles.
Russia accidentally attacked their own fishing trawler in the Baltic Sea. The Captain Lobanov was hit by a missile and killed 3 crew members and injured 4 others.
Many banks in Armenia will cease to accept Russian cards that use the Mir payment system. This is due to instability, and the risk of sanctions from the US and other countries.
Romania has approved the transfer of equipment donated by Finland to Ukraine. We are seeing many of these internal transactions between NATO countries so that they can move around equipment to pass to Ukraine without delays.
Finland joins Poland, Norway, Bulgaria and Lithuania who have banned cars registered in Russia. This means any found can be confiscated by the state.
Day 756 (20 Mar)
Jake Sullivan , the US National Security Advisor arrived in Kyiv for an unannounced visit to reassure Ukraine that the US would approve aid for Ukraine soon. I think this is about optics because the administration cannot control Congress as part of the checks and balances. It is up to Congress to push this through and speak to the members who are stalling.
A $300 million one off aid package was announced by the US, where the funds had been generated from other funds and contacts.
Putin has ordered the FSB to find all Russians who are in anti-Kremlin militia groups or who are fighting for Ukraine.
Russia is now threatening to target SpaceX satellites, stating they are legitimate targets, because they could act as spy satellites.
Russia is making money from exit taxes when businesses pull out of Russia. In 2024, Russia has already amassed $385 million in taxes when companies have left Russia.
The Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissions on Regional Development submitted proposals to rename 5 cities and 104 villages with Russia names, and has been adopted.
The Dutch defence minister visited Kyiv ( Kajsa Ollongren) and announced that the Netherlands will supply €150 million with of munitions for the F-16 jets.
Russia has illegally built a naval base in Ochamchire in occupied Abkhazia in Georgia. It is 900km from the front line in Ukraine in the Black Sea, and will be used as a base for war ships.
Kosovo has announced its first military aid package for Ukraine, which will include military trucks and mortar shells.
In Engels, a Russian airbase, there were reports of bombs targeting the base which is 850km from the Ukrainian border.
Day 757 (21 Mar)
In Slovenia, a Russian diplomat has been declared persona non grata and must leave the country within a week. Again, this is due to activities inconsistent with his diplomatic status.
Earlier in the week (19 Mar) in Estonia, an employee in the Russian embassy was also asked to leave the country for the same issue.
In Moldova, a Russian diplomat was expelled after a Russian election was held in Transnistria, a breakaway region that is still in Moldova. There is a growing trend to expel Russian diplomats who are acting as spies under diplomatic immunity.
For the first time since 24 February 2022, a NATO delegation has visited Ukraine. Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the Military Committee headed the official delegation for the Kyiv Security Forum.
This war is about the most powerful weapon on earth: democracy. That is what President Putin fears the most. If people in Ukraine can have democratic rights – real democratic rights – then people in Russia will soon crave them too (Bauer)
Estonian Defence Minster, Hanno Pevkur visted Ukraine and announced a €20 million aid package including financing for ammunition shells as part of the EU initiative to supply Ukraine with ammunition.
Another attack in Kyiv, and Kharkiv as Ukraine begins to run out of weapons. The target was Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence buildings.
Some Chinese banks will stop accepting yuan payments from Russia, fearing US sanctions.
Another EU summit (21-22 Mar) is held where funding for Ukraine will continue to be a main topic. One of the issues is whether the interest from seized Russian assets can be given to Ukraine to purchase military equipment, or whether it should be used for reconstruction.
The Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer objected to the proposed use of the funds to be used for military aid (Austria is a neutral country) and supported the funds to be used for reconstruction. However, not much point in planning reconstruction if Russia ends up controlling Ukraine.
The anti-kremlin militia groups have been coordinating attacks in along the Russian border, and held a press conference in Kyiv.
The French army chief, General Thierry Burkhard has said that Putin needs to know that the West could send troops to Ukraine as a means to support Ukraine.
In Russia, 2 prisons in Krasnodar Krai are to close as all the inmates have either been forced to sign to join the army, or chose to leaving the prisons empty.
Today was the 2nd anniversary of the Battle of Moshchun in Kyiv.
Day 758 (22 Mar)
Russia attacks on energy infrastructure have left Kharkiv without electricity and 53,000 in Odesa without power. At least 5 people have been killed and more than 40 injured in what the Russians claim as revenge for the oil refinery attacks in Russia,
Reports claim that the US has asked Ukraine to stop attacking oil refineries as they are concerned about Russian attacks in the West. Besides the fact that the US has no say in how Ukraine uses its own weapons, Russia knows that any attack on a NATO country will mean war.