The Evacuation Of Mariupol
Most of the civilians have finally been evacuated as shelling resumes in Mariupol
Day 68 (2 May)
Poland has offered to defend the Slovak skies until a new squadron of US F-16 fighter jets are delivered to Slovakia. That is expected to happen in the first half of 2024 where two Polish F-16s will patrol the skies over Slovakia, and will come from a Polish airbase. Such a statement (I believe) has been made as a deterrent to any countries that had been considering an invasions, but also to show that countries can work together and support each other.
Behind the scenes there are many stories floating around with Russia claiming Ukraine had attacked their fuel depots and other accusations. There are bound to be false-flags created by the Russians because they need to retain the support of the Russians and persuade other nations who are sitting on the fence that their actions are justified and that they have a right to attack. The thwarted plot appears to be a means to validate escalation on Russian terms. The plot included Belarus, who were supposed to shoot down a plane and to blame it on Ukraine.
The evacuation of most of the trapped Mariupol civilians has taken places, where they have been taken to Zaporizhzhia (some have allegedly been taken to Russian held areas in the Donbas region) and two villages Mangush, and in a village near Berdyansk, in south-east Ukraine. Shelling of the Azovstal steel in Mariupol has resumed.
As anticipated, the evacuation did not include the soldiers trapped inside and there are still some civilians inside. They had been trapped/sheltering there for two months. The ICRC and UN assisted with the evacuation, but questions will be asked as to why the UN did not intervene sooner. The credit cannot go to the UN as Russia is also aware that the news of the evacuation may have reached some Russians, and they need to appear as if they are open to humanitarian evacuations because this is supposed to be a peacekeeping mission to save Ukrainians.
The US Congressional Delegation held a press conference in the safety of Poland yesterday where Pelosi stated that there will be American support "until the fight is done" and that Congress will move quickly to approve $33 billion in aid for Ukraine. The visit is more of a response to the recent threat made by Russia, when an other diplomatic note was sent in D.C. warning the US to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine or that Russia would consider this a hostile act and retaliate. Pelosi also states, “We believe we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom.”
Pelosi was also awarded the Order of Princess Olga Medal, a Ukrainian award for personal merits in State. Some may wonder why a vist from members of Congress is important, and it should be remembered that Congress hold the power to release funds, and also to vote if the country should go to war. The delegation has met with Polish officials today to discuss ongoing issues related to the defence of Ukraine.
Denmark and Sweden have summoned the Russian ambassadors to explain why Russian aircraft violated their airspace. The spy plane entered Danish airspace on 29 April, east of the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm before flying into Swedish airspace.
Jill Biden will visit refugees and displaced mothers in Romania and Slovakia later this week to coincide with Mother’s Day. This comes after Angelina Jolie made a public visit to Lviv to meet displaced children which was criticized as it did very little except gave Jolie publicity. As for representing the UN, the fact the the body has acted with one foot in and one foot out has not helped their credibility.
9 May is Victory Day, a public holiday in Russia where there is a parade and it is rumoured that Putin may try to display captured Ukrainian soldiers which would be a violation of the Geneva Convention. The day is celebrated as it is when the Soviets defeated the Nazis.
Zelenskyy has called Turkey out on their double standards (as I had stated previously) for trying to act as a mediator to Ukraine and Russia, while opening up the country to Russians on special package holidays.
The energy sanctions/ shortage issue in the EU is showing cracks as Hungary (as predicted) is opposed to sanctions and to ban the use of Russian energy supplies.
EL - Once more I am indebted to you for keeping me up-to-date on this dreadful conflict/war. Each day it appears talks and sanctions have not stopped the loss of life, on both sides, and the
horrible destruction of Ukraine. It leaves me weak without almost no hope for mankind.