Sumy Attack On Palm Sunday

The US refuses to back a G7 statement condemning Russia on the attack

There have been more meetings and summits to discuss how to help Ukraine, and Europe is stepping up with more aid packages and plans for ‘peacekeeping’ troops should they become necessary

The US is an issue for they have to look as if they want to help Ukraine, but on paper and in real life they are not. Witkoff, the US special envoy for the Middle East has taken over from Kellogg (because the Russians didn’t want him to be part of the negotiations, citing he was too pro-Ukraine) and said that a speedy peace deal will include Russia taking full control (being given) four of the five Ukrainian regions that have been occupied.

One minute, the US Secretary of Defense won’t attend the latest Ramstein, and at the last minute he joins online. The US wants the mineral deal that apparently was on the table during the last administration, but back then aid was stalled by the Republicans in the Senate.

After the Sumy attack on Palm Sunday, the US refused to be a signatory to the statement that condemned the Russians, citing that it would not be good to do that with peace talks. Naturally, it’s ridiculous because it is irrelevant as the peace talks have been ongoing for more than a month, and Russia’s silence is their answer. Russia wants sanctions lifted before the 30 day ceasefire, but have shown no signs of good faith by continuing to strike at residential buildings and energy infrastructure.

From what I can see, countries still consider the US to be a ‘friend’ but no longer an ally. Europe is reinforcing its defences as US troops prepare to leave Poland’s Jasionka base where 10,000 troops are based, and are preparing for the worst case scenario. Countries are on alert, increasing spending on defence to replace the lost US aid. Meanwhile, Russia has been stalling on the peace talks and has begun a new offensive which is contrary to the act of negotiating for peace.

As far as the US is concerned, they want the minerals deal signed and sealed (with no security guarantees) and they want Ukraine to cede land for a quick end to the war. Other suggestions included demilitarised zones (never a good idea because there will be radicals on both sides fighting underground) and splitting the Donbas region into a Russian side and a Ukrainian side like East and West Berlin. We all know how that worked out, so why suggest something that will make things worse in the long run?

Parts of Europe are worried, mainly Poland and the Baltic states as they know they are Russian targets. Russia has also called for NATO to be dissolved, and with the US wanting to back out, it leaves the alliance in a vulnerable position.

It looks as if we must depend on Europe to ‘save’ Ukraine, while at the same time to keep political relationships with China, the US and other countries that don’t support Ukraine beyond words.

Day 1139 (8 Apr)

• Ukraine captures two Chinese citizens who were fighting for Russia, who say they do not want to go to Russia but back to China. They were found in Donetsk. Data suggests there are over 150 Chinese citizens who were recruited to fight for Russia. The Chinese diplomat has been summoned to explain why Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

• The US is considering withdrawing 10,000 troops stationed across Poland, Romania and the Baltic states who have been stationed there to deter Russian aggression. The base at Jasionka in Poland is a key hub for the delivery of military aid for Ukraine and will be phased out to a new location. NATO members have requested that the US coordinate the withdrawal so as not to destabilise NATO's eastern defences. Other allies are taking over from the US troops, and will comprise of Norwegian, German, UK and Polish military troops.

• Former Ukrainian prosecutor general Andriy Kostin has become the Ukrainian ambassador to the Netherlands.

Day 1140 (9 Apr)

• The minerals deal is still being negotiated, where Ukraine has said it will only do so on equal terms where any deal would equate to equal partnership that respects Ukrainian sovereignty. As a result, Ukraine has secured the services of a US law firm (Hogan Lovells) to assist with negotiations.

• Ukraine has approached the US to purchase a $50 billion military aid package. However, Trump later rejected this stating that Zelenskyy keeps asking for weapons even though Ukraine has offered to purchase them.

• Russia attempts new offensives in Kharkiv and Sumy according to Zelenskyy.

Day 1141 (10 Apr)

• US and Russia hold talks in Istanbul that are described as ‘constructive’.

• Video footage of Russian troops that kill four Ukrainian prisoners of war near the village of Piatykhatky in Zaporizhzhia in an execution style. The footage was shot by a drone and has been released by the media.

• Another meeting was held for the ‘coalition of the willing’ led by France and the UK. From the talks, six countries including the UK, France and the Baltic states said they would contribute troops towards a peacekeeping or reassurance effort.

Day 1142 (11 Apr)

• The Council of Europe’s special tribunal for crimes against Ukraine has said it will not try Putin or other officials while they are still in office.

• Ramstein meeting in Brussels where 50 countries join to support Ukraine. Aid for new dronesand to repair armoured vehicles are included in additional funding packages from Norway. The allies are pledging €21 billion in new military support for Ukraine. The German defence minister commented that peace appears out of reach for the immediate future.

• Hegseth of the US joined by video link after it was announced he would not attend in person or via video. The US has previously chaired the talks until the recent US administration took over.

• Putin and Witkoff, the US envoy for the Middle East meet in Russia to discuss what they call the settlement in Ukraine. Witkoff has told Trump that giving Russia ownership of four occupied Ukrainian territories would be the fastest way to achieve a ceasefire. Those areas would be Donetsk, Luhank, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

Day 1143 (12 Apr)

• Russia has asked the US to the sanctions on Aeroflot. It's airline that has been banned from the US and EU airspace since 2022.

Day 1144 (13 Apr)

• In Sumy, the Russians launched an attack on Palm Sunday that killed 35 people and injured more than 80 people. World leaders condemned the attack, but the US remained silent, with Trump later saying he was told it had been a mistake, but stopped short of condemning Russia

  

  

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Day 1145 (14 Apr)

• In Ukraine, an instructor that plotted killings of training based commanders on the orders of Russia has been detained. The instructor was working at the Yavoriv training ground near the Polish border and has been accused of working for the FSB and the GRU.

• Ukraine has asked to purchase 10 patriot systems for $15 billion from the US and had made the offer directly to Trump, and had previously discussed this with the Biden administration. Trump dismissed the request.

Day 1146 (15 Apr)

• A Russian soldier has been jail for 15 years for surrendering to Ukraine. Roman Ivanishin was sentenced to 15 years in a maximum security prison because he surrendered to Ukrainian forces.

• The US has blocked a G7 statement that condemns the Russian attack on Sumy. It said it could not support a joint statement because it would disrupt peace efforts according to sources.

• Russia has said that countries that have shown higher aggressiveness towards Russia or more likely to be the first to suffer such as Poland and the Baltic states..

• Greg Meeks, a US democratic party representative has introduced the Ukraine Support Act bill which would provide for security funding and post war recovery. The bill also said that Ukraine should receive financial assistance for post war construction as well as allocating funds for the purchase of weapons and military equipment.

• Zelenskyy has registered a bill to extend martial law for the 15th time, for another 90 days from 9 May to August 6.

Day 1147 (16 Apr)

• Ukraine has altered the timeframe for basic general military training which was 45 days, but now has been reduced to 30 days for military personnel who are fit to serve in rear units. This will take effect from 1 May 2025.

• Ukraine we gained control of the village of Dniproenerhiya in Donetsk.

• The US has said it will not lift any sanctions against Russia until the seats fire is reached against Ukraine.

• Denmark has said it will send an arm soldiers to Ukraine to assist with training for drones. This will take place in West Ukraine and will not involve any direct compact.