Zelenskyy Pushes For Russian Isolation In German Address
It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb"
Hopes for a ceasefire look promising with the media headlines last night, where an Austrian style neutrality was being promoted and put on the table, but was rejected by Ukraine. The word neutral sounds safe, and that’s how we use it in our everyday lives, but in political terms it has a different meaning. Austria was also ‘pushed’ to accept neutrality so that the occupied forces would leave (after 17 years), and Russia gained concessions in terms of annexed areas and manufacturing operations such as shipping, and oil refineries that were profitable in exchange for Austria’s neutrality status.
What would neutrality mean though for Ukraine and Europe? Below is a rough idea of the how it might look if the Austrian model of neutrality was followed :
Ukraine would have to amend the constitution and laws to declare they would never join a military alliance.
The country would not be able to have any military bases from foreign countries.
It could not participate in any NATO training or exercises, or have any weapons from other countries.
No country may enter Ukraine with the purpose of crossing the country to enter another in an act of war, or transport any arms through the country.
It is a negotiation manoeuvre, but Russia would want something more than neutrality and could want some of the annexed/occupied areas to be formally recognized as part of the Russian Federation. Neutrality is an unwise option, for no country should be forced to make such decisions under threat. Eisenhower objected to Austria being forced to accept neutrality, and we are in an era where no country should be forced to make decisions because it suits the agenda of another country.
Zelenskyy has stated that he will fight and defend Ukraine, and that is what the people want. The problem is that Russia wants a compromised Ukraine, and a country that they can invade again without putting up a fight, and control of occupied cities to be incorporated into the Russian Federation.
"My priorities in the negotiations are absolutely clear: the end of the war, security guarantees, sovereignty, restoration of territorial integrity, real guarantees for our country, real protection for our country,"
We are into the third week of the conflict, and the new consists of the following each day:
More evacuation corridors are opened.
Refugees are being forced to flee to other countries.
Buildings are being attacked and cities and towns destroyed.
People are being killed or are badly injured. Many will carry the mental scars of fear for the rest of their lives.
Russian troops mount more airstrikes.
More sanctions against Russia are imposed (just do it all in one go because they aren’t making a difference except to the civilians).
Zelenskyy repeats his request for the West to protect the Ukrainian skies.
Talks are held each day with world leaders and international bodies who keep repeating that they support Ukraine, but only so far.
Many countries are opening their doors to accept and welcome refugees. In the UK, people can host a refugee and the government will offer £350 a month (tax free) for those who house a refugee for a minimum of 6 months.
Zelenskyy repeated his requests for direct aid during his address to the German Parliament today. The UK has chosen to send aid to protect the Polish airspace and borders. This might be a warning to Russia to keep their distance, but also is well-placed to act should there be an attack.
There are many reports saying that Russia isn’t doing well, and that Ukraine is holding them back. The problem is that by stating Ukraine is ‘beating’ Russia in the media leads to other countries thinking that they don’t need to dip their hands into their pockets to help. The truth is that Ukraine do need the help, and this might be a Russian tactic to halt, because when you are negotiating a ceasefire you need to look as if you are genuinely looking to come to an agreement. No one truly knows how each side is doing, but soldier go into battle knowing there is a 50/50 chance of them dying as that is their job. The true casualties are the civilians who have done nothing wrong.
I saw a photo of Ukrainians queuing for a bus in Poland to take them to other parts of the country. That for me is the most heartbreaking, for these people can’t go back to Ukraine as their homes have been destroyed, their cities no longer exist, and they must start again, separated from family and friends. They are homeless through no choice of their own. How does the world come to terms with the fact that it failed to support Ukraine in preventing the war, and from stopping it in the early days before the mass destruction?
We watch history unfold, when those in power admit that they should have done more and taken the Putin threat more seriously. The former Soviet states knew the threat was real, and have lived with it for the last 30 years. The worst thing is that we know more should and cane be done, but those in power still think they know better that the Russians who tell them that they have got it all wrong, and the former Soviet states who are crying out for protective measures. They are not being dramatic, but are in fact realists, as Ukrainians are discovering.
Day 22 (17 March)
The abducted mayor from Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov was apparently released in exchange for apparently nine Russian soldiers. The Russians were probably unaware that the abduction was on CCTV and could not deny it. Fedorov’s fate may have been quite different otherwise.
Images of the targeted theatre in Mariupol that was bombed emerge with the words ‘children’ painted in Russian on the ground. The Russians deny the attack. Over 1000 people were taking shelter in the building.
A ballerina, Olga Smirnova has left the Bolshoi Ballet, and has publicly turned her back on Russia and has joined the Dutch Ballet Company.
UN Security Council to meet today. The meeting was called by the UK, US, France, Ireland, Norways and Albania. This is to set up a platform for Zelenskyy to address the UN Security Council.
Japan had spotted Russian warships in its waters.
Zelenskyy addressed the German lower parliament this morning. He criticizes the slow reaction of the EU to the crisis when the signs of an invasion were clear for all to see since 2014. He repeats his requests that Russia must be isolated in order to protect freedom and democracy, and that the wall that Russia has built to block democracy must be knocked down.
It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb"
In his address, Zelenskyy states what we all must admit—help came too late and too slowly to prevent or stop the war. We all know that because the West tried diplomacy, that they believed was sufficient and would work, but they could never offer Putin what he wanted. They should have known he was a threat, after all, he has ‘dispensed’ with all his opponents. He further criticized the slow reaction to isolate Russia with companies continuing to do business. Sadly, it is human nature (selfish) to look after their own, and unless it is in your own backyard, you will give some help, but not all the help you can offer.
Ukrainians are fleeing to Romania via the Black Sea while it is still possible. Romanians are prepared for the arrivals and are have an organised set up with volunteers and to help the refugees.
Several politicians have called Putin a war criminal, and Zelenskyy has reiterated that Russia has become a terrorist state.
The US are poised to send Stinger and Javelins (surface to air missiles), plus tactical drones to Ukraine.
The UK is sending troops to protect Polish airspace by deploying the Sky Sabre missile system, along with 100 troops. They will stay between 3-6 months as a defensive measure.
Mikhail Fridman, an oligarch who has been sanctioned has been quoted as saying, “If the people who are in charge in the EU believe that because of sanctions, I could approach Mr. Putin and tell him to stop the war, and it will work, then I’m afraid we’re all in big trouble…That means those who are making this decision understand nothing about how Russia works. And that’s dangerous for the future.” This is part of the problem because the world leaders are dealing with Putin as if he was one of them (rational and open to negotiations), and he is not. Russia has always operated differently and survived through various means. With NATO and the UN (and the other leaders) failing to understand the enemy, then they are losing already because to engage and to defeat the enemy you must understand them first. That is what Putin has been doing for the last 20 years, getting to know the other countries and their weaknesses, and by testing NATO by attacking near the Polish border— it was to see the response. There is always outrage, but was there any action? If a rich Russian tells you sanctions aren’t going to stop Putin, or affect him, then NATO, the UN and the others should listen for we have all said that already, and they aren’t working. Diplomacy doesn’t always work, and a good leader must accept when it fails and reconsider their options.
@EL I am so thankful to see that someone I respect shares my view that NATO has blown a chance to show itself as an entity to be reckoned with, rather than one that might get really, really angry someday if someone behaves even worse than he is doing now . . . It is hard to know which news bulletins know what they are talking about, but it does seem as if militarily, Ukraine is pulling off nothing short of a miracle; imagine if they had been properly armed in advance of the invasion! But reports are that Russia, despite wreaking carnage that will haunt its ability to maneuver globally for a long time to come, is doing badly. The one thing I've respected the PM for (in a very long time . . .) is his willingness to say that the West and NATO have failed. They have. TC