Ukraine Wins Eurovision 2022
Meanwhile, Hungary, France, and Turkey try and save face after advocating appeasement, as Finland and Sweden make joint announcements on NATO membership
Everyone is glad that Ukraine won the Eurovision 2022 with a catchy rap-folk song that was quite splendid and appropriate with 631 points. ‘Stefania’ was performed by the Kalush Orchestra, where the band was dressed in traditional costumes—they were representing Ukraine, and telling the world that they exist as a sovereign nation.
In the past, the contest has appeared to be political and this year is no exception. People expected Ukraine to win, and the UK came second after being in the bottom three ever since the UK announced it was leaving the EU. The UK was leaving the EU not Europe, and the recent events in Ukraine show that UK is an integral part of Europe the continent, separate from EU, the political alliance, where the UK has led the way in supporting Ukraine and defending other European countries that might be vulnerable to attack. France and Germany came last, and whether that is coincidental given their poor press over Ukraine over the past week where they have supported appeasement, who knows?
What is important from this is that it recognises Ukraine as an independent and sovereign state, with their own language and culture. The support was overwhelming and is a morale boost for Ukraine who know that most of Europe is behind them and supporting their fight for freedom. The trapped Mariupol soldiers were mentioned by The Kalush Orchestra, who said, “Please help Ukraine, help Mariupol, help Azovstal right now.”
Finland has officially stated it intends to apply for NATO membership, and we shall have to wait and see how Russia and their client states react. Ultimately, Finland is a sovereign state and is free to join alliances as it wishes if it deems it is in the best interests of the country and that is what they are doing.
The world has changed in a short few months and the mention of Russia makes those in democratic societies wary as Ukraine de-Russification attempts to eliminates all traces of the aggressor and invader in Ukraine.
I saw this extract on social media and people wonder if it is true. None of us can image how desperate the situation is or was in Mariupol, where escape meant survival. We hear that a large convoy of cars have been allowed into Zaporizhzhia. As humans, we help each others whenever we can and the man could have just left, but knew that the other cars could have saved other lives.
As a I write this, Sweden has just announced they will apply to join NATO, but do not want nuclear weapons or NATO bases in Sweden. This was announced quietly half-an-hour before a scheduled news conference. Sweden has always stated their security would also be based on what position Finland took, and it was expected that the two countries would support the actions of each other.
This move will end nearly two centuries of Sweden maintaining a neutral status (1834), although during the Second World War they did allow the Nazis to transport weapons to attack Finland, and supplied Germany with raw material to build weapons, yet allowed those fleeing from the Nazis shelter.
What we must learn from the Second World War is that appeasement does not work and is unrealistic when dealing with dictators. I recently watched ‘The Remains of the Day’ where the setting was a manservant (Stevens) who is loyal to his master, even though he believed that appeasement was the solution to avoid a war.
No one wants to be involved in a war, but when an aggressor attacks you, then you must fight to the bitter end to defend yourself because they will come back for more. In the film, Lord Darlington was seen as a traitor and tried to sue the media for libel and lost. No one wanted to know him, and in real life Chamberlain got off lightly but to this day his name is associated with appeasement and the failure to stop Hitler when he had the chance in 1938. It also reminds us that politicians don’t always get it right either, but we should get ready for more Russian propaganda attacking the West.
Day 81 (15 May)
Ukraine wins Eurovision 2022, and sends a message of support to Mariupol and Ukraine. While often the contest is seen as political, the UK came second, and France and Germany came last. Russia and Belarus were barred from entering this year as it would have brought the contest into disrepute. The Kalush Orchestra were not the original contestants due to represent Ukraine, but the original act Alina Pash, a former reality show contestant was dropped after allegations surfaced that she had visited Crimea.
As anticipated, around 11 a.m., Finland announced their official intent to join NATO. Sweden is expected to follow suit on Tuesday. In terms of Turkey alleged to have said they would oppose the application, the Finnish Prime Minister said that a month ago in a conversation with Erdogan, he has said he would support such a move. Having watched a translated interview with Erdogan, he did state he would oppose the Swedish application, but he may have said he opposed Finland’s application on another interview. Turkey, as you gather is fickle and will sing to whatever hymn sheet benefits them.
Turkey as appeared to have made an offer to ‘extract’ the trapped wounded Mariupol soldiers by ship. Apparently it depends on Russia agreeing to this as they have blocked the Black Sea. This offer comes after the NATO meeting, where Turkey has accused Sweden, Finland and other countries of supporting Kurdish militants that Turkey considers terrorists. These accusations come without any evidence. It should be remembered that Turkey currently illegally occupies part of Cyprus, so many will question what business they have being in NATO that is supposed to be a defensive alliance.
NATO have brushed off the comments made by Turkey, assuring the media that ‘common ground’ will be found, as in we will find a way to make Turkey agree to this.
The visit by members of the US Republican Party did not seem to have been well received by the media or the Americans, especially as one of their own (Rand Paul) has objected to the latest round of funding for Ukraine. As I said, there will come a time when the Americans will ask ‘How much more?’ and that will divide the electorate and the politicians will sing to whatever the current mood is
.
Mitch McConnell was nicknamed ‘Moscow Mitch’ because of his ties with Russian oligarchs, and where during the previous administration he had been pro-Putin and unsupportive of Ukraine. A great number of Americans have noted McConell’s hypocrisy, and Zelesnkyy is aware of that.
A petition to help save the Mariupol soldiers trapped in the steelworks has gained traction. They are aware that petitions do not always work, but they can try and highlight the plight and issues around the tragic situation. There are several petitions online, but this seems to be the main one.
The threats from Russia to Finland and Sweden continue in light of their intent to apply for NATO membership. While the nuclear threat exists, the likely threats include cyber violations, airspace violations, and disinformation propaganda. Russia has already cut off supplying electricity to Finland, but Finland was probably aware of this and has been wary of Russia for the last 70 years.
In Lviv (where everyone seems to think it is safe), a Russian missile has destroyed an army facility. Does Macron think that his talks with Putin are working? I think not as many of us agree it was Macron propaganda. He should not be using this platform to further his agenda and profile as it is costing lives.
Hungary tries to save face after Orban’s refusal to impose sanctions against Russia or to agree to an EU embargo on oil. The new president (Katalin Novak) stated that Hungary would support Ukraine’s EU membership. However, it seems that the Hungarian president is more of a ceremonial window-dressing role where the Prime Minister (Orban) has direct control of governmental issues, and Novak is a close ally of Orban. I believe her words are supposed to entice the EU and NATO into believing Hungary is supportive of Ukraine and not Russia (because they have already lost millions in EU funding and grants), but deeds not words count!
Turkey appears to have made an offer to extract the trapped Mariupol soldiers, but is it an empty gesture knowing that Russia won’t play ball? Are they trying to look as if they are helping and supporting Ukraine to deflect from them opposing Finland and Sweden joining NATO? As many have said, people would prefer Finland and Sweden over Turkey easily without having to think about it. The offer is extraction by ship, but surely an extraction by air is faster and more efficient? Where would the wounded evacuees go? By ship is slow and open to Russian missiles and the closest safe place would be Romania or Bulgaria. By air, the evacuees could be dropped in Lviv or Kyiv. They also know that Ukraine has few options left and an empty gesture might spur other offers that could be actioned.
Germany tries to save face, when the Foreign Minister Annalen Baerbok stated that Germany would help to speed up the NATO application process for Finland and Sweden, and had measures in place for a speedy ratification. Only France hasn’t made any gestures so far.
Intercepted calls have revealed evidence that Russia has given their troops permission to use forbidden weapons such as phosphorous bombs. This correlates with the Ukrainians claiming such weapons were used, and that Russians have them in their possession in Ukraine.
Images of missiles with messages mocking the Ukrainian Eurovision 2022 win have been released on social media, stating that the missiles are destined for Mariupol.
Sweden has formally announced an intention to apply for NATO membership, five hours after Finland had made their announcement.
Stoltenberg of NATO has claimed that Turkey will not oppose the applications from Finland or Sweden. I think we need to hear those words from Erdogan because less than 48 hours ago he was ranting about Kurdish terrorists in Sweden and that he would not approve any membership application.
Ironic that dictator Putin didn't want NATO on his doorstep so he invaded Ukraine when they attempted to join, and now neighbours Finland and Sweden have announced both countries wish to join.
I find it funny, and probably highly political, that in the same year Russia and Belarus are not in the Eurovision uk come 2nd! Germany & France come last and think the balance of power in voting has shifted for the better.