On a daily basis, there are blackouts across Ukraine, and more attacks with Russian missiles as civilians die. Meanwhile, we await to see what weapons the allies will provide to Ukraine as we now enter the 11th month of the war. The weapons that Ukraine asked for nearly a year ago are only just trickling in, and the world waits to see what Germany will do about the Leopard tank situation. I cannot see how they can survive international criticism if they do not give the approval, while Poland states it will find a way to deliver the Leopard tanks to Ukraine regardless. Germany is creating conflicts between the allies which I am sure the Russians are enjoying.
Zelenskyy is stamping out corruption that will be a barrier to Ukraine joining the EO or NATO, and Estonia stands up to Russia as it accused of destroying relations between the countries.
Day 333 (22 January
Russian men that could be called up in another official mobilisation that do not wish to fight in the war have been living off the grid so that the authorities cannot find them. Some have left Russia, while others have gone into hiding because they did not want to leave Russia or because they did not have the financial resources to do so.
Ukraine has received the first Sea King helicopter from the UK. The announcement indicates that countries do keep to their word, and hope to encourage other countries to follow suit in donating weapons to Ukraine.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau detained Vasyl Lozynskiy yesterday, who was the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure. He was charged with accepting a bribe of $400,000 for procuring electricity generators and was fired today. There were accomplices who also enabled the signing of documents to purchase the machinery and equipment.
The Ukrainian Parliament has summoned the Defence Ministry to answer allegations that food purchased for the military is two to three times higher than the cost in normal stores in Kyiv. This gives rise to accusations of corruption.
Boris Johnson visited Ukraine, and went to Kyiv Bucha, and Borodianka. He was greeted by Zelenskyy and several Ukrainian officials. While he may not be the UK Prime Minister (at present) many know and appreciate what he has done, and what he continues to do to help Ukraine.
Today was the anniversary the Reunification Act in 1919, when The Ukrainian, People's Republic, (UPR) and the West Ukrainian People's Republic, (WUPR) signed the reunification act. The Day of Unity means more in the current era as Ukraine stands together united to fight for their independence against Russia.
Day 334 (23 January)
The Estonian ambassador (Margus Laidre) in Russia has been asked to leave the country by 7 February 2023. Estonia has responded by asking the Russian ambassador to leave by the same date. Russia claims that Estonia has ‘purposefully destroyed’ relations between the two countries. Estonia ordered a reduction of staff in the Russian embassy in Tallin from 17 to 8, and Russia considers the mover to be Russophobic.
In recent years, the Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed, the entire range of relations with Russia. Total Russophobia, the cultivation of hostility towards our country have been elevated by talent to the rank of state policy.
Now, Estonia has taken a new unfriendly step to radically, reduce the number of personnel of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn, confirming the line towards the collapse of relations between our countries. As a response, the Russian side decided to downgrade the diplomatic representative in both countries to charge d’ affaires.
Estonia has announced it will give Ukraine all of their 155mm howitzers. The Estonian ambassador in Ukraine, Kaimo Kuusk stated:
We want to create a precedent so that all the countries will not have any excuses why they cannot provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons to win the war.
Denmark has already stated they will supply Ukraine with all the tanks they have. NATO countries that are worried about being defenceless should remember that because they are members of NATO, other countries would be obliged to come to their defence without question.
Germany has stated they will give a decision on the Leopard tanks soon. They still state that no formal request has been made, and there is conflicting information with the German Defence Minister (Pistorius) stating a decision will be imminent, while the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock has said:
For the moment, the question has not been asked, but if we if we were asked, we would not stand in the way (of the delivery of Polish Leopards to Ukraine).
The Polish Prime Minister (Mateusz Morawiecki) has stated that if Germany rejects the authorisation, they would seek a coalition of allies to supply Ukraine with Leopards, “ we will not passively watch Ukraine bleed to death.”
In the US, lawmakers have called for Abrams to be supplied to Ukraine to assist with the authorisation of Leopards to be delivered to Ukraine. However, Germany denies that it made such a condition.
I'm reading now that Germany has sent in the tanks. Hope that is finally true!
Say what you might about Boris Johnson, no one can say he has not been a major supporter of President Zelensky both in and out of office.