The IAEA Heads To Zaporizhzhia
Germany appears to be stepping up their responsibilities in this war
The last couple of days have been ones where all sides have been literally testing the waters as to see how far they can get away with things. Russia has been doing it since the start of this conflict, and now other countries are dipping their toes into these tentative waters. We have NATO forces carrying military drills near the borders of Russian territory, and the US have naval vessels travelling through Taiwan, to show China that they are around. Both China and Russia see these as provocation, but Russia began this conflict by using military drills to hop over a border and start the war.
Is Russia isolated? It needs to be in order for Ukraine to win for when we look at previous World Wars, that is what needed to happen. We must also spare a thought for the Russians who oppose this war, and who have sacrificed their lives and freedom to protest, while the millennials and Gen Z have done a bunk and ditched Russia to set up a life elsewhere.
How should the world view Russians as a whole after this? It took several generations before Germany was forgiven and the healing process was actually carried out. Only after the Berlin Wall came down did people begin to believe that it was possible for Germany to be a part of Europe—that was only 32 years ago. Can we be anti-Russian as dismiss some of the greats such as Tolstoy, Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky, and Gogol?
We should also remember that this is also the six month anniversary of the Bucha Massacre as I was reminded this morning. There can be no justification for the murder of families executed one by one in front of each other, while being tortured and raped. Those who are getting war fatigue should remember if Russia is not stopped, these kinds of heinous acts will continue.
Also, that people will tell you what they wish you to hear and make false promises. That is why we cannot sit back and not push NATO and the UN to do more, because unless the public urge them to act, they will do whatever it takes not to engage with Russia. That was the mistake the international community made with Germany 85 years ago, and we must not make that mistake again.
Day 186 (28 August)
Russia is determined to occupy more regions of Ukraine and to destroy weapons that have been donated. They attacked the Sich engine factory in Zaporizhzhia where military engines are repaired. After seeing the convoy of vehicles entering Crimea the other day, the battle is getting bloody. My own view is that the intervention of NATO troops is the only way that this war can come to an end. With China and North Korea backing Russia, those kinds of allies have fire power, troop numbers, and cannon fodder to spare. Forget about the impact of Covid-19 on businesses, the true cost of the Russian invasion will become evident in the next 6 months when energy prices will affect the entire world and each household. Businesses such as pubs and restaurants will suffer as they will struggle to pay the electricity bills for basic heating and lighting to stay open, let alone make profits to keep a business viable.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was to be renewed as it is done every 5 years, but Russia was the only state with objections. All, bar Russia of course stated that:
We reiterate our strongest condemnation of the ongoing unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. This constitutes a gross violation of international law including the United Nations Charter.
The treaty agrees to countries reducing their stockpiles of weapons and not to acquire further supplies.
Kazakhstan, a former Soviet state has openly opposed the Russian Federation, by upholding sanctions against Russia, and stated that they will not recognise the Donetsk People’s Republic or Luhansk People’s Republic (in front of Putin). They have also opted to show Ukrainian flags across cities in support of Ukraine.
Two US navy warships travelled through the Taiwanese Straits, the USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville were two guided missile cruisers who were making a point that they could pass through International water to make their presence know. Is it an act of provocation as China claims, or a friendly reminder that the US are watching and are ready to defend Taiwan? These are the actions that occur before war breaks out, and they are necessary as preventative measures. The Russian invasion has reopened the West versus Communism battle, and China, North Korea, and Russia see the West as the enemy, the US in particular. They have relied on cordial business operations for financial reasons, and those gains have in turned helped to support the autocratic regimes. That is globalism, and China and North Korea appear ready to support Russia, as the opportunity to impose Communism across the globe is one that they do not wish to miss.
In Crimea, Russian military personnel have removed their families from he region. Despite the holiday season being over, many Russians have fled Crimea as they know that their time is up. When the officials move their families out, they know it is over.
Day 187 (29 August)
The International Atomic Energy Agency have assembled a team to head to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to assess its safety. How far they will get who knows, and if Russia impedes any investigation. We know that UN backed missions have not gone smoothly at all (Mariupol and evacuation corridors).The Russians have had time to ‘clean’ up any evidence they would rather no one see, but the job of the inspectors is purely for safety reasons. This comes as more people have died since there was more shelling in the area last night.
Scholz had stated that Germany has a responsibility to help build the Ukrainian defences. This is because Germany has financially supported Russia through the Nord pipelines through deals made with previous Chancellors (Merkel and Schroeder). Whether Scholz sees this through is another matter.
The Foreign Minister, Baerbock has admitted that German gas was not cheap, as Ukrainians have paid of this with their lives.
In Mariupol, reports claim that the Russians are rebuilding the bombed theatre where hundreds (estimated 300-600 that included children) of civilians died in March in a targeted civilian attack on 16 March 2022. This is in order to conceal war crimes, but the Russians claim it needs to be rebuild for safety reasons.
Russia is moving towards annexing occupied regions of Ukraine, by issuing Ukrainians who re-enter the regions with ‘stateless’ documents, therefore, trying to nullify Ukrainians where they must be forced to seek asylum as Russians. Putin had passed laws that allow Ukrainians to live and work in Russia, and social payments will be made to them. This is to force those who are homeless to move to Russia. Why don’t all the pro-Russian traitors go and live and work in Russia then, and leave Ukraine alone? That is why this battle is not about being ‘Russian’ but about returning the USSR ideals and Communist way of life. If that was the case, then all the pro-Russians could leave Ukraine, but it is about power and land.
I believe ALL former USSR countries know the treacherous/deceitful enemy in this war is Putin.