The First Russian Soldier Stands Trial For War Crimes
Day 79, will Russia use the Finnish NATO membership application as an excuse to escalate the war?
This is the story that epitomises the plight of all Ukrainians—ad old man walking to safety to save his own life while being persecuted in his own country by invaders.
We see the true colours of the politicians who have claimed to assist Ukraine in peace talks—Erdogan of Turkey opposes the NATO applications from Finland and Sweden which would strengthen NATO, while Macron suggests that Zelenskyy concedes territory to Russia to help Putin ‘save face’. Appeasement never works with dictators and wars, and why is Macron so determined to convince the world not to humiliate Putin, and for Zelenskyy to give up parts of Ukraine?
I am sure if Macron was told by someone to give up say Bordeaux, the French would be rioting in the streets. If thousands of French were being tortured, raped, and executed by Putin, would Macron be so eager to let things go in a bid to build relations with Russia?
I have said it prior to this, that both Macron and Erdogan could not be trusted and each has their own agenda. Germany fares no better with talks of a ceasefire which do nothing but pause the situation and allows crimes to be carried out under the radar (as no weapons would be allowed). In the case of Turkey and NATO, the feeling is that most would prefer Sweden and Finland to Turkey. Both Finland and Sweden are in the EU, an alliance that Turkey desperately wants to join for trade reasons and ease of movement in Europe. Somehow Erdogan’s comments will not have helped convince EU countries that Turkey is worthy of becoming a member.
The fate of Ukraine should not be determined by Macron, Erdogan, Orban, or Scholz. Ukraine asked for help, not to be told what they must do. While the UK offered essential security guarantees to Sweden and Finland in less than 24 hours, where was France and Germany? Did they make any such offer? France and Germany are looking out for what is in it for them, while trying to ensure that they appear to be assisting Ukraine in their fight for democracy. The French and Germans are not so convinced, and are ashamed of their leaders. We are ashamed for them.
Day 79 (13 May)
A set of Zelenskyy stamps have been released in Poland and sold within an hour.
The recently released images of a civilian being shot by Russians in the back that was caught on CCTV has prompted another war crimes investigation. This time the victim was able to call friends and told them of the situation, and the CCTV images caught the Russians in the act and have clear facial images of the criminals.
A law has been passed, declaring Russian assets in Ukraine are now deemed property of the state.
More sanctions are imposed, this time against Putin’s former wife and cousins and members of his inner circle.
An auction was held with a baseball signed by Zelenskyy, where it sold for $50,000. the money will go towards the humanitarian effort in Ukraine. The RR auction house is also donating $15,000 to the Ukrainian relief effort.
Sgt Vadim Shyshimarin, aged 21 is accused of shooting a 62 year old man in Chupakhivka. He is on trial and faces life in prison. Today was a preliminary hearing and the case will continue on 18 May.
Republican Senator, Rand Paul of Kentucky has opposed the recent proposal of $40 billion in aid to Ukraine. He alone is delaying the process by blocking the vote, claiming that a watchdog needs to oversee where and how the funds are used. He said, “We cannot save Ukraine by dooming the US economy.’ While the war is in Europe and Americans consider themselves safe, that is exactly what happened in the Second World War until Pearl Harbor.
The European Council President (Charles Michel) has stated that Russia poses a global threat as they have nuclear arms, and have made veiled threats to use these weapons while attacking Ukraine, and as a threat to any country that assists Ukraine.
More G7 meetings in Germany, where they will meet with Ukraine and Moldova today. Truss of the UK has stated that Ukraine should be given access to NATO equipment.
In Odesa, soldier stumbled across artefacts from the fourth or fifth century BC called amphorae, which were vessels that were used to transport liquids.
NATO has been carrying out military exercises at the Krivolak base in North Macedonia. This acts as a deterrent to aggressors, but also assists in defending the borders that will be needed for a considerable period of time.
Ukraine’s stolen grain is now an issue as it is claimed Russians have stolen the precious commodity, and that those trading in stolen goods will be held to account. As a result of the Black Sea blockade, food prices have risen and some exported items are in short supply.
Social media companies (Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter, Meta, YouTube) have been asked to preserve evidence that will assist in prosecuting war crimes. Such images are usually deleted and flagged, and need to be verified as authentic before they can be used in legal cases. The request comes from four Democratic lawmakers addressed to the CEOs of the companies that could help provide valuable evidence.
Zelenskyy has stated he would talk to Putin face to face but only without intermediaries and it would be dialogue and not ultimatums. As Zelenskyy (quite rightly) demands Russia leaves Ukraine, which includes Donbas, and Crimea, it will be hard to see Putin agreeing to what he has fought for as he believes Ukraine belongs to Russia still. Putin has told the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, that Kyiv is blocking peace talks. He also claimed that civilians in the Mariupol steelworks were being held captive by Ukrainian troops!
Russia appeared to have lost a battalion when trying to cross the Siversky Donets river which was part of a plan to take Rubizhne and Severodonetsk in Luhansk
Reports of other attacks include the Kremenchuk oil refinery which affects the fuel supply in the region. The town of Dergachiv where a humanitarian headquarters was based was attacked, thus depriving some civilians of essential aid. Kharkiv continues to be attacked and also in the Saltivka region.
As expected, Turkey’s Erdogan has stated he is not supportive towards Finland and Sweden joining NATO, and would move to oppose their applications. This is consistent with Turkey and their pro-Russian position, and their faux offer of mediating between Russia and Ukraine. He seems more opposed to Sweden because of their alleged support of the PKK, a Kurdish militant group.
Ukraine has launched a website so Russians can track any PoWs in Ukraine and also lists the names and details of Russians who have invaded Ukraine.
More on the Franco-German ‘issue’. Zelenskyy has confirmed Macron had asked him to make concessions to help Putin ‘save face’. His reply was, “We are not ready to lose territory to save something for somebody.” Macron is looking like a mini-Napoleon who is seeking to reinvent and to reign over Europe. The question NATO, the EU, and the French need to ask is why is Macron eager to appease Putin? What has gone on in these fortnightly long conversations that have yielded nothing of use to Ukraine?
Scholz, has been confirmed as stating he sought a ceasefire as soon as possible. That doesn’t work because it allows the Russians to regroup and does not stop looting, torture, rape, or the Russians destroying evidence of war crimes. Germany wants a quick end so they can carry on buying energy from Russia so as not to disrupt their economy.
The US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Shoygu have spoken for the first time since 18 February. Keeping the lines of communication open is a positive step, but it might also be a mission to find out what each side is up to. Effectively, it appears that the US is part of the war by default whether they wish to admit it or not.
Russian suspends electricity supplies to Finland from tomorrow. Russian utility company, Inter RAO will stop supplies due to alleged payment issues. This move comes a day after Finland has announced it intends to apply for NATO membership. Russia supplies 10% of the electricity and Finland will be able to source the difference from Sweden.
Thank you again, EL, for your great work and keeping us up to date in a way that is understandable, just facts. That is what people need. Just honest facts.