Zelenskyy To Address The Hague On Alleged War Crimes
Vinnytsia, a residential city has been attacked by Russian missiles
The majority of the democratic world can keep making statements that Russia should not suspend the special military operation in Ukraine, but should halt it. However, we know that Russia (Putin) doesn’t care what other nations think as long as there are enough countries to buy grain and gas from them. An attack on Vinnytsia, this morning which is nowhere near the fighting in Donbas reminds us that Russia will not stop their invasion in Ukraine.
The UK has been weakened by ambitious politicians wanting to remove Boris Johnson and this affects Ukraine as I have said in the previous post—there seems to have been a planned attack on removing him and Russia benefits. In Italy, Mario Draghi faces a no confidence vote where the coalition party Five Star Movement have refused take part in the vote, and where Draghi has said he would resign if that happened. Other parties have said if Five Star Movement boycott the vote, then they will as well leading to a collapse in the Italian government.
While Draghi favoured appeasement, this is a crucial time for leaders of Europe to create some stability, and that is why domestic politics matter when it comes to a World War. Allies can be weakened when there is a change in government policies and leaders. Macron is not faring well in France despite winning the election where he does not have a majority in the legislative assembly, and Scholz has been criticized for just about everything he has and hasn’t done in Germany
Day 141 (14 July)
Ukraine has severed diplomatic ties with North Korea after it declared it would recognise the self-proclaimed independent states of Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republic. This comes after news that the separatist leader in the Donbas region has set up an execution area for Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, two British born soldiers who had moved to Ukraine and who served under the Ukrainian army.
A statement released by them claimed that they will carry out the execution by firing squad and the prisoners will not be informed when it happens. Given that Liz Truss (UK Foreign Secretary) has probably tried to intervene, she also has a Conservative leadership battle on her hands. She should focus on her job. This is another reason why this ill-timed coup to oust Boris has international implication—two men may die because Cummings and Sunak want power. Instead to the in-house bickering, they should have just gone with their jobs.
Talks resume again next week between the UN, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey to end the grain blockade. According to Turkey there is a deal in place, but what Turkey believes and what is truth can be very different things. The plan is that Ukrainian vessels with escort the freighters through the mined waters, and Russia will hold fire as a truce. This is obviously based on trust and goodwill, but Russia has a poor history of either. Perhaps if UN vessels or if it had UN personnel onboard the escort vessels that would be more of a deterrent for Russia. As the simple ‘plan’ stands, the only obstacle is trusting Russia.
Zelenskyy is to address The Hague today to remind the world of the alleged war crimes. I use alleged because although we know they are criminal acts, they have not been formally recognised as war crimes yet. I believe there is Ukrainian war fatigue and we are at a standstill, where Ukraine keeps defending itself with donated piecemeal weapons, but having to retreat until more weapons arrive, while Russia keep pushing to take more territory and to Russify occupied areas quickly so they can’t be reclaimed.
Corrupution has been attributed to how this invasion came about, and corruption is everywhere and is not confined to Russia or Ukraine. However, the consequences have led to pro-Russian traitors being bribed to handover information to the Russians that has led to mass killings and deaths. Blood money, that is what it is and those who betrayed their country must live with that.
Ukraine has taken action against Canada’s decision to return a repaired turbine to Russia, stating it goes against the agreed sanctions. The US has supported the action of Canada stating that the turbine is needed for gas for Europe and Germany. The Ukrainian World Congress filed an application for judicial review with a Canadian court in order to halt the exemption in place to prevent the turbine being returned. However, reports state that the turbine has already left Canada.
It is understandable to see both sides, for what is the point of sanctions if you don’t adhere to them and pick and choose the ones you wish to impose? On the other hand, the US and Canada are aware that their governments need public support for them to stay in power and if citizens suffer due to a loss of energy then they will lose their power and jobs.
Lithuania continues to impose restrictions on imports to Kaliningrad despite Russian threats. Barred goods include concrete, wood, alcohol and alcohol-based industrial chemicals as well as metals that was imposed last month.
Vinnytsia, a city in central western Ukraine has been targeted by Russian missiles, miles from the frontline and in a residential and shopping area. At least 20 people have been reported to have been killed this morning. The city is not near any military targets or fighting.
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Twitter and YouTube are tow social media channels that have not complied with removing disinformation about the Ukrainians. This allows Russian propaganda to continue and supports Putin’s war by convincing the Russians that the special military operation is justified. Free speech is one thing, but when it causes harm and deaths then protections need to be put in place.
I am not ignoring this topic, all. I just cannot bear it, I do not know how EL manages to confront it on a daily basis. But I am reading. I simply pray that whoever Johnson's successor is, is as firmly committed to his view that this cannot be allowed to succeed. For the record, literarily speaking, Sunak and Javid are the Cassius and Brutus of this sorry chapter. On that basis alone, I would be glad to see the back of Sunak in this contest, now that Javid has taken himself out.
I say this not to go off topic, per se, but to point out that given the lies most of them have already told, I fear they are also all lying about their firm commitment to Ukraine in its struggle. Not intending to open a specifically UK Politics can of worms here, so begging EL's indulgence. TC
It's atrociously frightful that the two British born soldiers serving in the Ukrainian army are awaiting execution during the current power struggle in the UK.