Russia Attacks Kyiv Again, While The UN Holds Black Sea Grain Deal Talks (Again)
Georgia protests lead to 'Russian' style of law being abandoned
The last few days have seen protests in Georgia, where the government tried to introduce draft legislation that would classify non-governmental bodies and media outlets who received more than 20% of their funding from abroad as ‘foreign agents’. That would suppress free speech from bloggers, photographer, and journalists as well as NGOs what are funded from other countries. The first reading was held on 7 March 2023, and was similar to the Russian laws passed in 2012.
Thousands protested in Tbilisi, the capital and within 48 hours, the government has withdrawn the bill due to the mass protests and criticism from the international community. Georgia is seeking to become a member of the EU and NATO, and such a move to curb freedom of speech and to follow a Russian style of government would jeopardise their applications. People power does work! The EU stated that such a law would not be compatible with the EU objectives and laws, and they welcomed the decision to withdraw the bill. The US stated that passing the law would be seen as undemocratic.
Overnight and the early hours of the day, Russia launched a coordinated attack on Ukraine where air raid sirens sounded across the entire country. This comes as Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN arrived for talks to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, because he only cares about his grain for the Third World countries. He failed to assist when evacuation routes were blocked by the Russians in Mariupol and eventually the city was taken by the Russians. That is how effective the UN is or rather it shows how useless it is as a global alliance
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Zelenskyy has stated that the future of the UN depends on the success of Ukraine, and he is correct because the UN charters are being ignored as Russia tests the limits and what powers the UN has. In the past year, Russia has remained as a permanent member of the Security Council, and any resolutions passed have not been enforceable but is a mere show of hands as to who agrees with Russia or Ukraine.
Day 378 (8 March 2023)
The lower house in the Swiss parliament has rejected the proposal to permit the re-exportation of Swiss made ammunition and weapons, citing the need to maintain neutrality. The Swiss president, Alain Berset also rejected the call, but must accept that the question of neutrality has been questioned since the invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, South Korea approved export licenses for Poland to deliver Crab howitzers to Ukraine, which contains components from a number of countries.
The EU has approved €2billion to the European Peace Facility. This will support Ukraine and other countries in need of assistance. The EU is slowly becoming a military styled alliance.
Bakhmut is still being fought, and it doesn’t help when Stoltenberg for NATO says that it could fall in the next few days while NATO sits around organising meetings.
Zelenskyy has reiterated that defending Bakhmut is necessary as if taken, then it opens the roads to other areas in Donetsk such as Kramatorsk.
Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN arrived in Kyiv to discuss the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Zelenskyy. I think the talks that are needed are with Putin, because he is the one holding up the deal. There has been no mention of a visit to Moscow this time by Guterres. The deal was agreed back in July 2022, but has been hampered with Russias feigning inspections, and delaying the shipments, while making accusations of illegal cargo.
Ukraine will receive 18 Leopard 2A6 tanks from Germany and three from Portugal by the end of March. Will the battle of Bakhmut be over by then or can the Ukrainians hold out?
Apparently, in Ukraine there are men avoiding mobilisation and the SBU has blocked 26 Telegram channels that help people evade mobilisation.
Reporters have tracked vessels from Iran to Russia, where the cargo is suspected to be ammunition, and rockets. Iran has been secretly aiding Russia, and even when confronted, they have not denied some weapons did come from Iran, but declined to comment when it was revealed the weapons could not have been supplied prior to the war as they used recently made components.
Another EU meeting, where it has been agreed how to speed up production and delivery of ammunition. Another meeting will be held in Brussels 23-24 March 2023, hopefully with some kind of active plan bar another meeting.
Canada has donated 7 electrical transformers and is to provide $3 million in aid to assist with de-mining in Ukraine
Day 379 (9 March)
Georgia withdraws the controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill after two nights of protests. The Georgian president. Salome Zourabichvli backed the protestors and said she would have vetoed the bill, even though the government could override her veto (which makes the process seem pointless except for appearances sake).
The current ruling party, ‘Georgian Dream’ has been accused of trying to revert back to Russian style of governance. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and there are two annexed areas, South Ossetia and Abkhazia (20% of Georgia) which makes the country another Russian target after Moldova.
Russia launched a massive missile strike across Ukraine overnight and into the early hours of the day, where air raid sirens were heard in all regions. Kyiv was attacked again (for those who keep saying Kyiv is not the target) and more than 80 missiles were fired, and Ukraine was able to defend itself against most except the ballistic missiles where they do not have the equipment to repel the missiles.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was hit again, and it’s the sixth time is has had to use backup power. Grossi of the IAEA has commented that this should not happen, but the body seems powerless to do anything. I don’t hold out much hope as they appeased the Russians by permitting them to take a Russian film crew in to video an inspection but did not permit other media outlets from the West.
Other regions hit included Kharkiv, Dnipro, Vynntsis, Lviv, Rivne, and Odesa where energy infrastructure was hit. Air raid sirens lasted for 7 hours for most people in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has invited the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy to visit Kyiv to see for himself the effects of the Russian invasion, as the Republicans are hesitating on approving further aid to Ukraine. McCarthy immediately declined the invitation which speaks for itself.
The Dutch government follows the US in restricting exports of chip technology amid security concerns with China. This is relevant because it is suspected that China is developing weapons for Russia to use in Ukraine.
The US has opted not to share evidence of Russian acts of aggression with the ICC, as they fear it may open the door for the court to prosecute Americans. The US has not ratified the Rome Statute, acts as an observer and does not recognise the jurisdiction of the court, citing it conflicts with the Constitution.
Polish president Duda, has said that he is willing to give Ukraine all of its MiG-29 jets. He will need NATO approval first though it seems, and Poland is pushing for Ukraine to receive jets to bring about an end to the war.