The shelling of Ukrainian cities continues as evacuation corridors open for 12 hours to allow civilians to leave Ukraine. Those who thought negotiations would have ended the conflict by now are bracing themselves for the unthinkable war. More than two million Ukrainians have left the country—some children have had to escape alone because their parents had to remain to fight or look after the elderly who are immobile. These are stories we heard back in 1939, and we should not be hearing them again now. Hollywood films and books have been based on these tragic tales, yet today they are not for entertainment purposes but are real life stories happening in the here and now in the news today.
The Ukrainian Ambassador in Australia addressed our National Press Club this afternoon. Very moving and he was so articulate with English as a second language. He answered all questions put to him by media reporters with grace and dignity. I was left with nothing but admiration for him and his country who is facing such appalling bombardment from Russia. I must say too that he was treated with great respect by our media. They can be very hostile but they were most respectful. They knew they were speaking with a man who is incredibly brave like his people in Ukraine. His elderly parents are still in Kyiv. They won’t leave. They spend nights their nights in bomb shelters and their days making sandwiches and doing everything they can for their people who are fighting to protect their country, their beliefs, culture and homeland.
Every night before I go to sleep I pray for Ukraine. Every morning after I way up I dread checking the news—fear of atrocities, fear of assassinations, fear of nuclear. I so admire Zelensky and the brave Ukraine people.
I just don’t see how this situation can end well (-ish, as it's too late to end well) without some help from NATO. Poland’s MIG plane transfer idea was out-of-the-box and I am disappointed in the Pentagon’s decision to torpedo the idea. If Russia doesn’t recognize rules of engagement, it is short-sighted for the West to continue operating under the rules.
Having lived and served in West Berlin behind the Iron Curtain back in the early 80’s, I never would have guessed the Wall would fall. But having seen the Wall fall, I never would have guessed that anyone would try to recreate the USSR. This situation must be stopped sooner rather than later.
@EL - I tend to think that no one is thinking as clearly and coolly as we might assume for heads of government and ministries of defence. I believe everyone is rattled. I share wholeheartedly the context of your last sentence.
Russian troops directly bombed a maternity hospital today. I am waiting to see what happens when the tiny bodies buried in the rubble are being dug and carried out.
I just heard Liz Truss in Washington at a joint press conference with Sec of State Blinken. Truss stated that they had known for a long time that this invasion was approaching, and yet, when NATO, the US, the UK, had the time to stream fighter jets and defensive weapons into Ukraine - they did not.
We bear responsibility here. I'm not suggesting that avoiding war at any cost is in and of itself an evil choice. But the price we are asking others to pay for that choice, means that we agree to accept a portion of the guilt for those bodies.
So that is my question: are willing to accept a portion of that guilt? TC
@EL -Alas, the proposed Mig-29 jet swap has been nixed by the Pentagon, at least for now. The problem is that the proposal is that the Polish jets would be sent to Ukraine from NATO's airbase in Ramstein, in Germany - Poland doesn't dare risk sending the jets directly to Ukraine. Then, the US would send jets to Poland so it isn't left defenceless from air attack.
It was a decent try by Poland, but whether it sends the jets into Ukraine over its own border, or sends the jets to NATO's airbase in Germany and leaves it to them to get the jets to Ukraine, the outcome as far as Putin is concerned will be the same.
I'm not surprised the Pentagon turned down the proposal, but the deal does encapsulate the dilemma the West finds itself in.
The question is, what, really, is left on the table militarily if the West is really intent on stopping Putin? If no risk is the criterion, I don't see anything else.
The air defence issue is crucial. If NATO via America is unwilling to give Ukraine the materiel it needs, after having wasted three months of firm intelligence when the West could easily have poured arms into Ukraine, I see no other outcome here but the biggest civilian holocaust in Europe since WWII.
Russians are used to economic hardship. Western populations are not. We are spoilt, I'm sorry to say. Russia will adapt to its new economic landscape. That will not stop the carnage and the mockery of the West's claims to the moral high ground.
Unless China steps in and tells Putin to knock it off, or the West accepts the reality that Putin has forced it to confront its own image in the mirror, I see nothing on the horizon but catastrophe, and not only for Ukraine.
Sorry to be so wet this afternoon, but . . . as our American friends are wont to say, "I call 'em as I see 'em." Sadly, TC
Thank you EL for your daily updates on this catastrophic ongoing conflict. Again my heart aches watching the suffering and daily onslaught on the citizens of Ukraine. Pictures of the devistation and the suffering is unbearable. One picture in my newspaper today of an elderly lady being wheeled to safety in a supermarket trolley was really upsetting, I hope she made it. There seems to be no end insight, and the brave people and their magnificent President will no doubt have the sympathy of the world behind them. A solution must be found or the unthinkable will happen! 🇺🇦😢
I am not going to comment on this awful situation. I feel there is pain and hardship on both sign. This is just to say a big thank you for this blog. I am using it to educate my 14yr old grandson. He is in awe of the writing.
Both our eyes are being opened in an informed way.
It is very easy at this point to start finger-pointing, but that just serves the press, who love to take sides, especially when the sides are so well-delineated. We know who the bad guys are (or is) and saying whose fault this is is pointless, IMO. It doesn't really matter who should have done what when at this juncture: we are here now and must deal with what is happening on a daily basis.
I read a very interesting opinion piece about the No Fly Zone, why it hasn't been implemented yet, and the possible outcomes in the event it should be. One major deterrent for all those who would willingly do whatever it may take to ameliorate the humanitarian crisis is the horrifying, and all too real, possibility of a nuclear war in a densely-populated part of the world. There are those who think it won't be applied because of the MAD repercussions, those who are terrified at the very thought and appeasement, awful as it is, is surely better. We are looking at combatants who have just about everything to lose in that event, but madmen are madmen and we cannot predict what they are capable of--they usually end up surprising us all. But right now, all cards are on the table, and they should all be studied carefully, uncomfortable as that may be.
I truly believe that NATO hasn't a clue what to do, and that isn't a slam on them but an observation. The world is such a different place than when it was originally formed back in the late 1940s. IMO, none of the countries wants to be the 'first' to declare that negotiations are not working (and, quite frankly, to my recollection, have never worked when dealing with a dictator of any degree) and that the next step would be to actively send in troops to help the Ukrainians dispel the Russians. In effect, declaring WW III, which I'm sure no one really wants to see happen. I cannot imagine what all the people of the Ukraine, and the people of Russia, too, as none of them chose to be part of this. I wish I had a crystal ball to be able to help figure out what to do. All I can do right now is just sit and watch, unfortunately, and hope against hope that a way to intervene will come to pass sooner than later.
EL, you are certainly working your fingers to the bone keeping us updated with events and for that, thank you. It seems the enemy is advancing towards Kyiv very quickly now. We are watching British news here in Australia at the moment. Some very interesting discussions have been had over the last days. Ukraine is always on my mind at present. What will tomorrow bring? I am afraid for those very brave Ukrainians. May God bless and protect them.
The Ukrainian Ambassador in Australia addressed our National Press Club this afternoon. Very moving and he was so articulate with English as a second language. He answered all questions put to him by media reporters with grace and dignity. I was left with nothing but admiration for him and his country who is facing such appalling bombardment from Russia. I must say too that he was treated with great respect by our media. They can be very hostile but they were most respectful. They knew they were speaking with a man who is incredibly brave like his people in Ukraine. His elderly parents are still in Kyiv. They won’t leave. They spend nights their nights in bomb shelters and their days making sandwiches and doing everything they can for their people who are fighting to protect their country, their beliefs, culture and homeland.
Thank you again for the daily cogent updates @EL.
Every night before I go to sleep I pray for Ukraine. Every morning after I way up I dread checking the news—fear of atrocities, fear of assassinations, fear of nuclear. I so admire Zelensky and the brave Ukraine people.
I just don’t see how this situation can end well (-ish, as it's too late to end well) without some help from NATO. Poland’s MIG plane transfer idea was out-of-the-box and I am disappointed in the Pentagon’s decision to torpedo the idea. If Russia doesn’t recognize rules of engagement, it is short-sighted for the West to continue operating under the rules.
Having lived and served in West Berlin behind the Iron Curtain back in the early 80’s, I never would have guessed the Wall would fall. But having seen the Wall fall, I never would have guessed that anyone would try to recreate the USSR. This situation must be stopped sooner rather than later.
@EL - I tend to think that no one is thinking as clearly and coolly as we might assume for heads of government and ministries of defence. I believe everyone is rattled. I share wholeheartedly the context of your last sentence.
Russian troops directly bombed a maternity hospital today. I am waiting to see what happens when the tiny bodies buried in the rubble are being dug and carried out.
I just heard Liz Truss in Washington at a joint press conference with Sec of State Blinken. Truss stated that they had known for a long time that this invasion was approaching, and yet, when NATO, the US, the UK, had the time to stream fighter jets and defensive weapons into Ukraine - they did not.
We bear responsibility here. I'm not suggesting that avoiding war at any cost is in and of itself an evil choice. But the price we are asking others to pay for that choice, means that we agree to accept a portion of the guilt for those bodies.
So that is my question: are willing to accept a portion of that guilt? TC
@EL -Alas, the proposed Mig-29 jet swap has been nixed by the Pentagon, at least for now. The problem is that the proposal is that the Polish jets would be sent to Ukraine from NATO's airbase in Ramstein, in Germany - Poland doesn't dare risk sending the jets directly to Ukraine. Then, the US would send jets to Poland so it isn't left defenceless from air attack.
It was a decent try by Poland, but whether it sends the jets into Ukraine over its own border, or sends the jets to NATO's airbase in Germany and leaves it to them to get the jets to Ukraine, the outcome as far as Putin is concerned will be the same.
I'm not surprised the Pentagon turned down the proposal, but the deal does encapsulate the dilemma the West finds itself in.
The question is, what, really, is left on the table militarily if the West is really intent on stopping Putin? If no risk is the criterion, I don't see anything else.
The air defence issue is crucial. If NATO via America is unwilling to give Ukraine the materiel it needs, after having wasted three months of firm intelligence when the West could easily have poured arms into Ukraine, I see no other outcome here but the biggest civilian holocaust in Europe since WWII.
Russians are used to economic hardship. Western populations are not. We are spoilt, I'm sorry to say. Russia will adapt to its new economic landscape. That will not stop the carnage and the mockery of the West's claims to the moral high ground.
Unless China steps in and tells Putin to knock it off, or the West accepts the reality that Putin has forced it to confront its own image in the mirror, I see nothing on the horizon but catastrophe, and not only for Ukraine.
Sorry to be so wet this afternoon, but . . . as our American friends are wont to say, "I call 'em as I see 'em." Sadly, TC
Thank you EL for your daily updates on this catastrophic ongoing conflict. Again my heart aches watching the suffering and daily onslaught on the citizens of Ukraine. Pictures of the devistation and the suffering is unbearable. One picture in my newspaper today of an elderly lady being wheeled to safety in a supermarket trolley was really upsetting, I hope she made it. There seems to be no end insight, and the brave people and their magnificent President will no doubt have the sympathy of the world behind them. A solution must be found or the unthinkable will happen! 🇺🇦😢
I am not going to comment on this awful situation. I feel there is pain and hardship on both sign. This is just to say a big thank you for this blog. I am using it to educate my 14yr old grandson. He is in awe of the writing.
Both our eyes are being opened in an informed way.
I am not going to comment on this awful situation. However this blog has opened my eyes. Pain and hardship on both sides.
I have been reading them with my 14yr old grandson to educate him.
He is in total awe of the writing. Now doesn't know whether he wants to be a writer, lawyer or historian. Somthing to aspire to.
Thank you.
It is very easy at this point to start finger-pointing, but that just serves the press, who love to take sides, especially when the sides are so well-delineated. We know who the bad guys are (or is) and saying whose fault this is is pointless, IMO. It doesn't really matter who should have done what when at this juncture: we are here now and must deal with what is happening on a daily basis.
I read a very interesting opinion piece about the No Fly Zone, why it hasn't been implemented yet, and the possible outcomes in the event it should be. One major deterrent for all those who would willingly do whatever it may take to ameliorate the humanitarian crisis is the horrifying, and all too real, possibility of a nuclear war in a densely-populated part of the world. There are those who think it won't be applied because of the MAD repercussions, those who are terrified at the very thought and appeasement, awful as it is, is surely better. We are looking at combatants who have just about everything to lose in that event, but madmen are madmen and we cannot predict what they are capable of--they usually end up surprising us all. But right now, all cards are on the table, and they should all be studied carefully, uncomfortable as that may be.
Please try and keep comments neutral and do not spread speculative comments that could be considered propaganda and endanger lives.
I truly believe that NATO hasn't a clue what to do, and that isn't a slam on them but an observation. The world is such a different place than when it was originally formed back in the late 1940s. IMO, none of the countries wants to be the 'first' to declare that negotiations are not working (and, quite frankly, to my recollection, have never worked when dealing with a dictator of any degree) and that the next step would be to actively send in troops to help the Ukrainians dispel the Russians. In effect, declaring WW III, which I'm sure no one really wants to see happen. I cannot imagine what all the people of the Ukraine, and the people of Russia, too, as none of them chose to be part of this. I wish I had a crystal ball to be able to help figure out what to do. All I can do right now is just sit and watch, unfortunately, and hope against hope that a way to intervene will come to pass sooner than later.
EL, you are certainly working your fingers to the bone keeping us updated with events and for that, thank you. It seems the enemy is advancing towards Kyiv very quickly now. We are watching British news here in Australia at the moment. Some very interesting discussions have been had over the last days. Ukraine is always on my mind at present. What will tomorrow bring? I am afraid for those very brave Ukrainians. May God bless and protect them.