The US Speaker for the Republican Party changed his mind and has backed the $300 million bill for Ukrainian aid, but what about next time as war fatigue is hitting the Baltic states too?
We hear of old and faulty tanks being delivered to Ukraine, and F-16s that won’t be available until 2024, and this must be music to the ears of the Russians who will use winter to their advantage. NATO still doesn’t seem to be taking the war in Ukraine that seriously from the outside—pledging weapons is one thing, but send ones that are least functional.
Zelenskyy and Ukraine have their own domestic battles in conquering corruption, and then adapting policies to ensure their EU application goes smoothly. That is hard enough to do without being invaded, and bickering over grain with countries that have supported you isn’t a practical or tactical move.
Day 578 (24 Sept)
The Pope has commented on the allied countries offering aid to Ukraine and then reneging on those pledges, saying they are ‘playing games’ with Ukraine. The issue now is that countries have pledged, but need to deliver the goods in working order and that hasn’t happened.
The FSB building in Kursk (Russia) was attacked by drones, likely Ukrainian. What we are seeing is Ukraine aiming at military targets in Russia, while Russia continues to attack civilian and military targets in Ukraine, while attempting to occupy more regions.
Apparently, Lavrov has stated that Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukraine, but will not consider a ceasefire (because Russia has been deceived before). He also claimed that the West was to blame, suggesting that London and Washington did not want the war to end and ‘forbade’ Ukraine to negotiate with Russia. This is part of the anti-NATO propaganda to blame NATO for the war (?)
Yesterday, Zelenskyy held a meeting at Shannon airport with the chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Abdel, Fattah, al Burhan, where they discussed security challenges due to militant groups funded by Russia.
Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker for the House (Republicans) changed his mind and stated he would support the $300 million aid package for Ukraine.
Robert Storch has been appointed Inspector, General of the DOD in the US, which will oversee Ukrainian aid, and supervise 113 billion of US assistance as to where it should be allocated
Day 579 (25 Sept)
Human rights lawyers are including Russia using hunger (intentional starving) as a weapon of war in a dossier they are preparing. This is in order to launch a prosecution against Putin, with a series of war crimes to be presented to the ICC.
Poland is still ensuring that they will aid Ukraine, after Duda remarked that Ukraine was like a drowning man who risked dragging his rescuers down with him. He stated that Poland will still supply old weapons to Ukraine once the country has replaced their weapons with modern arms.
In Transnistra, S-300 missile fragments were found about 20 km from the Ukrainian border. This was reported by Russian media, but no source of origin was stated.
Germany has stated that Taurus missiles require 3 months of training, and would come with the condition that the long-range missiles can only be used on Ukrainian territory.
Orban of Hungary (why is Hungary still in the EU and NATO?) has stated the country under his rule will not support Ukraine politically if it does not restore minority rights (we don’t really know what he’s on about, but 99 schools were closed), and to be frank, perhaps Hungarians preferred to be in Ukraine as opposed to being Hungary. He also let slip that he opposes Ukraine joining NATO.
We have seen that if Ukraine does not give up its intention to join NATO, it is only a matter of time before we have to reckon with another conflict. (Orban)
Day 580 (26 Sept)
In Odesa, a Russian attacks damaged 9 buildings in the historic centre. Being a UNESCO Heritage site means nothing to the Russians.
The UN Independent International Commission of inquiry on Ukraine has found evidence of Russian war crimes, and evidence that Russian troops continue to carry out war crimes. We all know this, but because of how the UN Security Council is set up, the UN can do nothing unless Russia is removed or suspended, with the veto criteria being changed (as China is likely to support Russia). All these reports are fine for gathering evidence, but about the lives being lost in the process and with no mechanism to prevent their deaths as the UN is powerless to enforce action against Russia?
Russia has added members of the ICC to their wanted list. It now includes the ICC, Chairman, Piotr, Hofmański, and deputy Luz del Carmen Ibáñez, Carranza, and Judge Bertram Schmidt.
A Ukrainan underwater drone with a 1000km range called Marichka has been tested, and will be sued to target ships, bridges and submarines.
The US has laid down conditions in order for Ukraine to receive the next aid package, and that includes reforms on the judiciary and anticorruption bodies plus transparency. These measures are already in the works as they are conditions for EU ascension.
Ukraine has been forced to move missile production abroad due to Russian strikes. The Russians found out where the missiles were being assembled, and these were targeted and have been damaged or destroyed.
A program called Unity in Diversity will be adopted by the Ukrainian government up to 2034, which will create conditions for the rights of national minorities and indigenous peoples. This is a requirement for ascension to the EU, and is what Orban of Hungary is demanding, even though it's already in place.
Russia is seeking to rejoin the UN Human Rights Council and has started lobbying countries for support. There is a position for a three year term and Russian diplomats are seeking support (with free grain to some countries) in a vote that will take place on 10 October. Russia claims that they will find adequate solutions for human rights issues and their aim is to ‘stop the council become an instrument which says political wills of one group of countries’ which we presume are the Western democratic countries. Russia will be competing with Albania, and Bulgaria for two seats on the council that are for central and eastern European countries. The vote will be made by the 193 members of the General Assembly, and their position paper, the Russians claim they are seeking to ‘promote principles of cooperation and strengthening of constructive mutually, respectful dialogue in the council to find adequate solutions for human rights issues’.
In the last vote, when Russia was suspended in April 2022, 93 members of the UN voted in favour of the suspension with 24 against and 58 abstaining. It will be interesting to see if any countries that abstained have now chosen a side
Day 581 (27 Sept)
The US State department responds to Russia’s statement to rejoin the UN Human Rights Council, stating that Russia’s actions undermines its right to be included in the UN Human Rights Council.
The Netherlands has announced it will provide F-16s in 2024, and that training will take 6-8 months .
Ukraine has taken Poland, and Hungary to court via the WTO for banning imports of grain. A deal is being done with Slovakia and the complaint had been withdrawn. The European Commission will represent the Hungary and Poland at the WTO.
I guess by now it is internationally known that Canadian House of Commons Speaker, Anthony Rota, has finally resigned on Tuesday after the backlash he received after having The House honour a Ukrainian WW2 veteran who fought in a Nazi unit. The House Speaker neglected to have the 98 year old man vetted before inviting him to appear in The House during the visit of President Zellensky.
Sure Putz! You can rejoin just as soon as you remove ALL Russian military presence in the Ukraine and sign a non-ending treaty that Russian will never again seek to force it's way into any country without their express permission, nor financing or assisting other countries in that same pursuit, punishable by Nato countries pulverizing Russia should you not abide by the treaty. Then you must provide the money and means to rebuild, restore and repair everything you destroyed. Finally, you will provide reparations to ALL families in the Ukraine who have lost loved ones, residences, and received injuries due to your illegal attempt to invade and take control of their country.