Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #12

[PommyMommy]

Seven Ukrainian children have been returned home under the President of Ukraine’s initiative, Bring Kids Back UA, according to Daria Zarivna, Director of the initiative and advisor to the Head of the Office of the President.

At least 1,233 children have been safely returned home from Russian-occupied areas and Russia itself.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1896804336833032440

Ukraine brings back 7 children from occupied territories, Russia

Through the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, at least 1,233 children have been safely returned home from Russian-occupied areas.

kyivindependent.com

Ukrainian authorities, including Children’s Ombudswoman Daria Herasymchuk, estimate that up to 300,000 children have been unlawfully deported, while the figure put forth by Lubinets, the Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner, stands at 150,000.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, citing their involvement in the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children. Russia dismissed the ICC’s decision as "outrageous and unacceptable."

 

[Lilibet]

RSBM
Sochi's never belonged to Ukraine, also Sochi's never located in Crimea.
Sochi is a largest resort city in the Black Sea cost of Southern Russia.

Vern was referring to the area Russia invaded (Crimea), not the location of Sochi.

 

[Vern]

RSBM
Sochi's never belonged to Ukraine, also Sochi's never located in Crimea.
Sochi is a largest resort city in the Black Sea cost of Southern Russia.

I never stated that Sochi belonged to Ukraine.

Please go back and read the post.

 

[Lilibet]

Anyone that watched the entire video, will say we treated him extremely well.

I watched the entire video. I don’t agree that Zelensky was treated well. There were OK parts. But why did Trump allow MTG’s reporter boyfriend to pursue his question about what Zelensky was wearing? Trump had already mocked him when he arrived, so it was more of the same. The last few minutes erased anything positive that had happened.

Trump allowed him to ramble on and ramble on. He was here for an economic partnership. He went completely off message tried to force the US to provide him security.

Ummm…I guess you didn’t notice Trump rambling on about irrelevant issues (mainly bragging and slamming Biden—totally inappropriate behavior). He barely let Zelensky respond to press questions. Zelensky stuck to the subject. There is really no point for the U.S. to do any economic partnership in Ukraine without helping provide security (planes and intelligence, not boots on the ground). One wonders why Trump is so reluctant to agree.

I’m really curious about something for those who think Trump and Vance behaved properly. Had this been Kamala Harris and Tim Walz yelling at Zelensky for the same reason, would you think it was OK? I wouldn’t and I much prefer them to Trump.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

This may be the perception, created by the media spin, but rest assured, a majority (by vote) support President Trump.

Nah, Trump got less than half the vote. linkety link

 

[Rita7]

How robust of a link do you need? Russian children's commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, who "says" the children were brought to Russia by friends and relatives? I am not sure that the Hague believes them, presumably The Hague has proof that is not the case.

There are plenty of other links out there. I tried to select, for robustness, just a few of the very credible sources.


On March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lvova-Belova. They were charged with being responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia -- a war crime under international legislation.

More Than 700,000 Ukrainian Children Taken To Russia Since Full-Scale War Started, Official Says


Or maybe the UK Foreign Policy Centre is robust?

Right now, thousands of Ukrainian children do not know if their parents are alive. Tens of thousands have been taken to Russia, while hundreds of thousands have been lost in a broken system.

Three years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the world has witnessed the forced displacement of millions of Ukrainians, the abduction of thousands of children, and the fragmentation of families on a devastating scale.

Three years on: Ukraine’s stolen children – the silent crisis that threatens the future - The Foreign Policy Centre

Right now, thousands of Ukrainian children do not know if their parents are alive. Tens of thousands have been taken to Russia, while hundreds of thousands have been lost in a broken system. Three years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the world has witnessed the forced...

fpc.org.uk

Or the United Nations?

Kateryna Rashevska, legal expert at the Regional Center for Human Rights, then reported that Russian Federation agents have taken at least 19,546 children to that country from Ukraine since 18 February 2022. Among other violations, Russian Federation citizenship is imposed on them, and they are forbidden to speak and learn the Ukrainian language or preserve their Ukrainian identity.

Deportation, Treatment of Ukraine’s Children by Russian Federation Take Centre Stage by Many Delegates at Security Council Briefing | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

OK
Got it

 

[Lilibet]

Trump’s speech to the joint session of Congress tonight (Tuesday) should be interesting.

How to watch, stream Trump's address to the joint session of Congress

President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday -- his first speech to Congress of his second term.

abcnews.go.com

 

[SouthAussie]

MAR 2, 2025

US halts cyber operations against Russia, media reports

Cybersecurity experts warn that the move benefits one of America's most persistent cyber adversaries, potentially weakening U.S. leverage in both cyber and conventional military operations.

kyivindependent.com

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to suspend offensive cyber and information operations against Russia, according to a report by the Record.

The pause includes operations that typically expose or disrupt Russian malware before it can be deployed against American systems. A former senior defense official told the Record that suspending these efforts, even temporarily, could allow Russian hackers to regroup and strengthen their offensive capabilities.

The order from Hegseth contradicts the administration’s stated intent to adopt a more aggressive cyber posture against U.S. adversaries. National security adviser Michael Waltz previously suggested a shift toward stronger cyber deterrence, particularly against China and Iran, but omitted Russia from his comments.

I was reading more about this. Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a nonprofit that has studied technology’s impact on democracy, says ..... “Instead of confronting this threat, the Trump administration has actively taken steps to make it easier for the Kremlin to interfere in our electoral processes”

I REALLY would like to know what went on in those recent meetings between Russia and the US. Exactly what they were negotiating. Why doesn't anyone know?

We have heard a few things (IIRC 4 things) that Russia put on the table. What did the US put on the table - on "Ukraine's behalf" or perhaps on behalf of the US?

Hegseth orders suspension of Pentagon's offensive cyberoperations against Russia

The U.S. Cyber Command is pausing its offensive operations against Russia

abcnews.go.com

imo

 

[Rita7]

Vern was referring to the area Russia invaded (Crimea), not the location of Sochi.

Thank you for making it clear.

 

[Lilibet]

Thank you for making it clear.

It was easy to get confused the way it was worded. I had to read it a couple of times. No doubt Vern was typing fast. I do that and jumble things up.

 

[JennieM]

Ninety-nine drones launched into Ukraine overnight, air force says​

07:20​

IMAGE SOURCE, STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE
Image caption,
Fire and damage can be seen in Odesa after the attacks

Ukraine's Air Force says 99 drones were launched into the country by Russia overnight.

In a post on Telegram it says Odesa, Sumy and Donetsk "suffered as a result of the attack", adding that in total 65 drones were shot down and 32 were lost.

The State Emergency Service says multiple people were injured and several fires broke out in Odesa, damaging "critical infrastructure" and buildings. Energy firm Dtek says one of its facilities in Odesa was damaged, but they are restoring power to civilians.

In Sumy, a children's medical facility was struck, the State Emergency Service says, but nobody was injured.

Zelensky ready to work under Trump's 'strong leadership' after 'regrettable' showdown

The Ukrainian president says last week's fiery Oval Office meeting "did not go the way it was supposed to", adding Kyiv is ready to sign a minerals deal.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

It's a date that will go down in infamy, says Ukrainian MP
06:35​

We are starting to get some more reaction to the news that the US has paused military aid to Ukraine.

Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian member of parliament in President Zelensky's party, says he is "shocked" at the news.

He tells the BBC's Newsday: "It's unbelievable what's unfolding because I couldn't imagine in my worst dreams that Trump would be cutting off military aid to Ukraine when we need it so much."

He says he thinks US President Donald Trump is trying to side-line Ukraine and Europe and make a deal with Russia.

"I think Mr Trump should seriously think about how he's going to enter in history.

"To me it's a date that will go down in history infamy."

Ukraine war latest: Trump pauses US military aid to Ukraine

President Trump is “pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution”, according to a White House official.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

1h ago07.48 GMT

Senior Ukrainian lawmaker compares suspension of US military aid with 1938 appeasement of Hitler​

Reuters is now carrying a fuller quote from Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, who told the news agency that the Trump administration move to suspend military aid to Ukraine resembled the appeasement of Adolf Hitler with the Munich agreement of 1938.

The senior Ukrainian lawmaker said:

To stop aid now means to help Putin. On the surface, this looks really bad. It looks like [Donald Trump] is pushing us towards capitulation, (accepting) Russia’s demands. The main thing is that this a psychological blow, a political blow upon Ukraine, it doesn’t help our spirit.

This is worse than Munich, because at least there they didn’t try to paint Czechoslovakia as the aggressor, but here they try to accuse the victim of aggression – it is extremely dangerous.

On 30 September 1938, Germany, Britain, France and Italy reached a settlement that permitted Nazi Germany’s annexation of the Sudetenland in what was then western Czechoslovakia.

US and Ukraine ‘preparing to sign minerals deal on Tuesday’, reports suggest – as it happened

Zelenskyy says his country is ready to sign minerals and security agreement while admitting White House meeting ‘did not go the way it was supposed to’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

Europe ready to step up on defence, says commission president

IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS
New EU plans to strengthen Europe's defence industry and increase military capabilities could mobilise close to 800 billion euros, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has just said.

Speaking at a news conference today, she says Europe is "ready to step up" on defence, adding the EU will propose to give member states more fiscal space for defence investments, as well as 150 billion euros in loans for those investments, and will aim to mobilise private capital as well.

Ahead of the announcement, Von der Leyen said: "We need a massive surge in defence, without any question. We want lasting peace, but lasting peace can only be built on strength, and strength begins with strengthening ourselves."

Zelensky ready to work under Trump's 'strong leadership' after 'regrettable' showdown

The Ukrainian president says last week's fiery Oval Office meeting "did not go the way it was supposed to", adding Kyiv is ready to sign a minerals deal.

www.bbc.co.uk

9m ago09.02 GMT

Von der Leyen: EU plans to strengthen defence spending could cost €800bn​

New EU plans to strengthen Europe’s defence industry and increase military capabilities could mobilise close to €800bn ($841.4bn), EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday in Brussels.

The EU will propose to give member states more fiscal space for defence investments, as well as €150bn euros in loans for those investments, and will aim to mobilise private capital as well, Reuters reports von der Leyen said.

US and Ukraine ‘preparing to sign minerals deal on Tuesday’, reports suggest – as it happened

Zelenskyy says his country is ready to sign minerals and security agreement while admitting White House meeting ‘did not go the way it was supposed to’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

Europe is not only trying to protect Ukraine but also itself from a now hostile previous ally: the US.

 

[JennieM]

If anyone is trying to start ww3, it is Trump with his alliance with Russia. Despicable man, despicable leader.

 

[SouthAussie]

He says he thinks US President Donald Trump is trying to side-line Ukraine and Europe and make a deal with Russia.

Trump is trying to force Ukraine into doing whatever it is that he wants them to do. Ukraine has no say in it, if they want the weapons and ammunition that have been ordered and the ones that are already on their way to Ukraine.

Again (sorry) what is Putin going to do? What does Putin want? Still the 2022 "peace deal" he laid in front of Ukraine? No peace deal at all? Some other peace deal?

What were the "negotiations"? We (and Ukraine) don't even know, do we?

imo

 

[JennieM]

4m ago09.28 GMT
The Kremlin has said that if the US is really suspending military aid to Ukraine, that could force Kyiv into peace negotiations.

During his regular daily briefing, Tass reports Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also said that any normalising of relations between Russiaand the US would require economic sanctions to be lifted, and that the greatest contribution to peace the US could make would be to stop sponsoring Ukraine.

US and Ukraine ‘preparing to sign minerals deal on Tuesday’, reports suggest – as it happened

Zelenskyy says his country is ready to sign minerals and security agreement while admitting White House meeting ‘did not go the way it was supposed to’

www.theguardian.com

Kremlin says US aid pause likely to be 'best' contribution to peace​

09:27BREAKING​

Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor

On the daily Kremlin conference call, I just asked President Putin’s spokesman for his reaction to America pausing military aid to Ukraine.

“Of course, we still need to check the details,” Dmitry Peskov says. “If it’s true, then this is a decision which could really push the Kyiv regime to a peace process.”

Later on in the call, Peskov adds that the United States had been the main supplier of weapons for Ukraine.

“If the US stops, or pauses these supplies, this will probably be the best contribution to the cause of peace,” he says.

Zelensky ready to work under Trump's 'strong leadership' after 'regrettable' showdown

The Ukrainian president says last week's fiery Oval Office meeting "did not go the way it was supposed to", adding Kyiv is ready to sign a minerals deal.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

At least Russia is happy! well done Trump.

 

[SouthAussie]

At least Russia is happy! well done Trump.

Trump is one heck of a poor peace negotiator. At least with the Israel/Palestine negotiations in Qatar it was known all along that they were trying to negotiate a ceasefire and return of all hostages. In this "negotiation" we know NOTHING relevant to "peace".

All we know is that Russia has offered the US several business deals, and that Trump wants Ukraine's minerals.

imo