I do not doubt for a moment that the West wants this to go away and is willing to pressure Zelensky to do whatever it takes to bring this to a close. The longer it goes on, the tighter the moral corner the West is boxed into. The price paid, already, for Ukraine's willingness not only to defend itself, but to expose Putin's weakness and thus do a huge favour for the West, is far greater than it should have been. The Chinese may be keeping shtum publicly, but I imagine that behind the scenes Putin has also lost face with his most important ally and backer. Russia needs China far more than China needs Russia. TC
Talk, as you state EL, is about the aftermath and even humanitarian organisations are being defeatist and speaking of the Ukraine near 'collapse'. I recommend Australians like myself, not familiar with warfare and the Ukraine and Russian history to take advantage of documentaries being screened. I now understand some of the pro-Russian social commentary because of learning about Zelensky's background. His appeal to the Russian people in his mother tongue, Russian has me wondering how persuased they were. The stark contrast between the distant dictator who doesn't want to connect or doesn't see the need with a very personable democrat who speaks warmly as a leader, but primarily a countryman. The Ukraines bravery and defiance, readiness and determination not to give in warrants the West's support to make fighting on possible rather than the fatalistic defeat of 'a rushed peace deal'!
I agree with EL; once upon a time the UN stood for great things. After World War Two, just after the UN was formed, Russia demanded that all the people in Red Cross camps in Germany who had fled Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, be returned to their Soviet occupied countries. When the matter was put to a UN vote, Canada was among the countries which voted "NO", believing these people had a right to chose and offered to take in as many who wanted to relocate here. Soviet police canvassed the Red Cross camps and did manage to lure some to return to their former Baltic homeland. I remember my parents were particularly proud of the way Canada participated in relocating (millions ?) of displaced persons, rescuing them from the Soviets.
@EL, I appreciate your old war movie analogy. I am hoping and praying for Ukraines's situation to be resolved with an ending similar to the movie “Zulu,” with Michael Caine. Not the ending of the movie, “The Alamo,” with John Wayne. I just can't envisage Putin stopping without some one or some entity forcing his hand.
Thank you EL for your continuing information and analysis. My simplistic view is that the West have let Ukraine down and are continuing to do so in the most cowardly and self-serving way, and in the naive belief that “peace talks” and compromise will stop Putin’s inevitable push for more territory. By not helping Ukraine in a more overt and courageous way, we have enabled Russia’s destruction of that democratic state , both its infrastructure and the lives of its people.
Thank you. I look forward to reading these updates as it is the only source of information I trust in. I don't make comments as most of it is beyond my intellect but I like to be informed and keep up to date. I read it with my grandson as it his generation it will affect.
Today my grandaughter 6yrs old today blindsided me when she asked ,why are we letting the Russians kill the Ukranians ? Why don't we help? Out of the mouths of the innocent. I had no answer other than to say it's to far.
The purpose of the UN Security Council is to ensure peace and security; there should be no place on the Council for Russia considering what Putin has done in Ukraine. I have to wonder what will happen if Putin does nationalize the property of western companies who have suspended operations in the country. I suspect heavy corporate lobbying in the nations' capitals.
I do not doubt for a moment that the West wants this to go away and is willing to pressure Zelensky to do whatever it takes to bring this to a close. The longer it goes on, the tighter the moral corner the West is boxed into. The price paid, already, for Ukraine's willingness not only to defend itself, but to expose Putin's weakness and thus do a huge favour for the West, is far greater than it should have been. The Chinese may be keeping shtum publicly, but I imagine that behind the scenes Putin has also lost face with his most important ally and backer. Russia needs China far more than China needs Russia. TC
Talk, as you state EL, is about the aftermath and even humanitarian organisations are being defeatist and speaking of the Ukraine near 'collapse'. I recommend Australians like myself, not familiar with warfare and the Ukraine and Russian history to take advantage of documentaries being screened. I now understand some of the pro-Russian social commentary because of learning about Zelensky's background. His appeal to the Russian people in his mother tongue, Russian has me wondering how persuased they were. The stark contrast between the distant dictator who doesn't want to connect or doesn't see the need with a very personable democrat who speaks warmly as a leader, but primarily a countryman. The Ukraines bravery and defiance, readiness and determination not to give in warrants the West's support to make fighting on possible rather than the fatalistic defeat of 'a rushed peace deal'!
I agree with EL; once upon a time the UN stood for great things. After World War Two, just after the UN was formed, Russia demanded that all the people in Red Cross camps in Germany who had fled Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, be returned to their Soviet occupied countries. When the matter was put to a UN vote, Canada was among the countries which voted "NO", believing these people had a right to chose and offered to take in as many who wanted to relocate here. Soviet police canvassed the Red Cross camps and did manage to lure some to return to their former Baltic homeland. I remember my parents were particularly proud of the way Canada participated in relocating (millions ?) of displaced persons, rescuing them from the Soviets.
@EL, I appreciate your old war movie analogy. I am hoping and praying for Ukraines's situation to be resolved with an ending similar to the movie “Zulu,” with Michael Caine. Not the ending of the movie, “The Alamo,” with John Wayne. I just can't envisage Putin stopping without some one or some entity forcing his hand.
Thank you EL for your continuing information and analysis. My simplistic view is that the West have let Ukraine down and are continuing to do so in the most cowardly and self-serving way, and in the naive belief that “peace talks” and compromise will stop Putin’s inevitable push for more territory. By not helping Ukraine in a more overt and courageous way, we have enabled Russia’s destruction of that democratic state , both its infrastructure and the lives of its people.
Thank you. I look forward to reading these updates as it is the only source of information I trust in. I don't make comments as most of it is beyond my intellect but I like to be informed and keep up to date. I read it with my grandson as it his generation it will affect.
Today my grandaughter 6yrs old today blindsided me when she asked ,why are we letting the Russians kill the Ukranians ? Why don't we help? Out of the mouths of the innocent. I had no answer other than to say it's to far.
I pray for both sides everynight.
The purpose of the UN Security Council is to ensure peace and security; there should be no place on the Council for Russia considering what Putin has done in Ukraine. I have to wonder what will happen if Putin does nationalize the property of western companies who have suspended operations in the country. I suspect heavy corporate lobbying in the nations' capitals.