Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #14

[JennieM]

Depriving Ukraine is helping the Russian side - former Ukrainian MP​

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES

Former Ukrainian MP Hanna Hopko - who also used to chair the foreign affairs committee - has been questioning the intentions of US President Donald Trump's administration after he revoked access to satellite imagery and paused military aid.

"Russia is massively, daily attacking us with cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones," Hopko tells the BBC. "This is why we in Ukraine ask why Russia is not being asked to stop killing Ukrainians.

"Trump says he wants to be a meditator and he doesn't want to take [a] Ukrainian or Russian side, but now it seems depriving Ukraine is helping the Russian side."

She adds that so far, there haven't been similar demands made of Russia to return Ukrainian prisoners of war or exchange hostages.

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Sarahlou]

Evil.
Anyone who supports anything to do with what Russia is doing should be ashamed.

 

[JennieM]

Donald Trump is turning America into a mafia state​

Jonathan Freedland

The pattern is inescapable – with just one caveat: organised crime bosses occasionally display more honour

Behold Donald Corleone, the US president who behaves like a mafia boss – but without the principles. Of course, one hesitates to make the comparison, not least because Donald Trump would like it. And because the Godfather is an archetype of strength and macho glamour while Trump is weak, constantly handing gifts to America’s enemies and getting nothing in return. But when the world is changing so fast – when a nation that has been a friend for more than a century turns into a foe in a matter of weeks – it helps to have a guide. My colleague Luke Harding clarified the nature of Vladimir Putin’s Russia when he branded it the Mafia State. Now we need to attach the same label to the US under Putin’s most devoted admirer.

Donald Trump is turning America into a mafia state | Jonathan Freedland

The pattern is inescapable – with just one caveat: organised crime bosses occasionally display more honour, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

www.theguardian.com

 

[SouthAussie]

Donald Trump is turning America into a mafia state​

Jonathan Freedland

The pattern is inescapable – with just one caveat: organised crime bosses occasionally display more honour

Behold Donald Corleone, the US president who behaves like a mafia boss – but without the principles. Of course, one hesitates to make the comparison, not least because Donald Trump would like it. And because the Godfather is an archetype of strength and macho glamour while Trump is weak, constantly handing gifts to America’s enemies and getting nothing in return. But when the world is changing so fast – when a nation that has been a friend for more than a century turns into a foe in a matter of weeks – it helps to have a guide. My colleague Luke Harding clarified the nature of Vladimir Putin’s Russia when he branded it the Mafia State. Now we need to attach the same label to the US under Putin’s most devoted admirer.

Donald Trump is turning America into a mafia state | Jonathan Freedland

The pattern is inescapable – with just one caveat: organised crime bosses occasionally display more honour, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

www.theguardian.com

By ending the supply of military aid and the sharing of US intelligence, as he did this week, he had effectively put a Russian revolver to Ukraine’s temple

He expects Zelenskyy to sign away a huge chunk of Ukraine’s minerals, the way Corleone’s rivals surrendered their livelihoods to save their lives.

It’s a technique familiar in the darker corners of the New Jersey construction industry: a series of unfortunate fires that only stops when a recalcitrant competitor submits.

Note the obsession with respect ..... Between them, JD Vance and Trump accused the Ukrainian leader three times of showing disrespect, sounding less like world leaders than touchy Tommy DeVito, the Joe Pesci character in Goodfellas.

(from your link)

 

[UK Girl]

Donald Trump is turning America into a mafia state​

Jonathan Freedland

The pattern is inescapable – with just one caveat: organised crime bosses occasionally display more honour

Behold Donald Corleone, the US president who behaves like a mafia boss – but without the principles. Of course, one hesitates to make the comparison, not least because Donald Trump would like it. And because the Godfather is an archetype of strength and macho glamour while Trump is weak, constantly handing gifts to America’s enemies and getting nothing in return. But when the world is changing so fast – when a nation that has been a friend for more than a century turns into a foe in a matter of weeks – it helps to have a guide. My colleague Luke Harding clarified the nature of Vladimir Putin’s Russia when he branded it the Mafia State. Now we need to attach the same label to the US under Putin’s most devoted admirer.

Donald Trump is turning America into a mafia state | Jonathan Freedland

The pattern is inescapable – with just one caveat: organised crime bosses occasionally display more honour, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

www.theguardian.com

Tbh the words after the inaugeration showed that when he demanded that the " hostages" from the January 6th riots were released even though they had committed serious crimes.

 

[UK Girl]

He's been wishy washy. As the Trump administration has said aid is on pause, I suppose until Zelensky proves he is committed to Peace.

In the meantime let's see if he gets invited to any more negotiations with the US. I doubt he gets any more invitations to the White House after his little act.

Honestly I hope he isnt unless escorted by other professional leaders such as himself. The fact is though that Trump does want something from him/Ukraine.

 

[Betty P]

They've been invaded for years. Who exactly is going to wrench the Russians out?

So we should just let Russia keep rolling and bombing throughout Europe? Do you think they will stop at Ukraine? Are democratic European countries no longer allowed to defend themselves, protect their homes and communities from a hostile aggressor?

 

[SouthAussie]

.
Trump team in ‘secret discussions’ to oust president

Two of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s key political rivals have confirmed contact with Donald Trump’s team.

Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s former president, acknowledged that his team has been working with US partners but insisted their efforts were “public and transparent” and focused on securing bipartisan support for Ukraine.

Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine’s former prime minister, also addressed the report, saying her Batkivshchyna party was “in talks with all our allies” to achieve a just peace

(both said there won't be an election until peace)

A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll in February found Zelensky’s approval at 63 per cent, far outpacing his political rivals.
A late-February survey by Survation showed just 10 per cent of Ukrainians would vote for Poroshenko, while Tymoshenko polled at 6 per cent.

 

[Betty P]

He's been wishy washy. As the Trump administration has said aid is on pause, I suppose until Zelensky proves he is committed to Peace.

In the meantime let's see if he gets invited to any more negotiations with the US. I doubt he gets any more invitations to the White House after his little act.

He shouldn’t go to the WH while Trump is still there. Really, no legitimate leader of any democratic nation that’s an ally of the US should. It’s not a safe place to visit right now, JMO and there’s nothing constructive to be accomplished there.

 

[UK Girl]

.
Trump team in ‘secret discussions’ to oust president

Two of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s key political rivals have confirmed contact with Donald Trump’s team.

Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s former president, acknowledged that his team has been working with US partners but insisted their efforts were “public and transparent” and focused on securing bipartisan support for Ukraine.

Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine’s former prime minister, also addressed the report, saying her Batkivshchyna party was “in talks with all our allies” to achieve a just peace

(both said there won't be an election until peace)

A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll in February found Zelensky’s approval at 63 per cent, far outpacing his political rivals.
A late-February survey by Survation showed just 10 per cent of Ukrainians would vote for Poroshenko, while Tymoshenko polled at 6 per cent.

It is wrong that Trump is trying so hard to get an ally removed tbh.

 

[Betty P]

.
Trump team in ‘secret discussions’ to oust president

Two of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s key political rivals have confirmed contact with Donald Trump’s team.

Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s former president, acknowledged that his team has been working with US partners but insisted their efforts were “public and transparent” and focused on securing bipartisan support for Ukraine.

Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine’s former prime minister, also addressed the report, saying her Batkivshchyna party was “in talks with all our allies” to achieve a just peace

(both said there won't be an election until peace)

A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll in February found Zelensky’s approval at 63 per cent, far outpacing his political rivals.
A late-February survey by Survation showed just 10 per cent of Ukrainians would vote for Poroshenko, while Tymoshenko polled at 6 per cent.

So it appears from these reports that Trump actually isn’t interested in peace. He only wants Russian control of Ukraine. So we were right after all. Who will Russia invade next? They’re always the aggressor. They’ve been invading European neighbors for hundreds of years.

 

[JennieM]

Death toll from Russian strikes rises to 17 in Donetsk region - governor​

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES

As we have been reporting, at least 11 people have been killed and another 30 - including five children - have been injured in Dobropillya, in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

Across the region another six people are known to have died, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin.

This includes one person killed in Myrnograd, three people killed in Pokrovsk, one person killed in Kostyantynivka and another person killed in Ivanopillya.

Across those towns and villages another eight people have been injured and a number of houses, shops, administrative buildings and gas pipe lines have been damaged, Filashkin adds in an update on Telegram.

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

16m ago11.39 GMT
UK prime minister Keir Starmer has welcomed Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese’s “commitment to consider contributing to a coalition of the willing for Ukraine” in a phone call on Saturday, Downing Street has said.

According to the PA news agency, the statement reads:

The prime minister spoke to the prime minister of Australia Anthony Albanese this morning.

The prime minister began by expressing his support for all Australians effected by the cyclone and paid tribute to the strength of the partnership between the two countries.

He welcomed prime minister Albanese’s commitment to consider contributing to a coalition of the willing for Ukraine and looked forward to the chiefs of defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday.

The prime minister also reiterated the UK’s commitment to the Aukus programme. The leaders agreed to stay in touch.”

Zelenskyy ‘fully committed’ to constructive dialogue with US after Trump defends Putin – as it happened

Zelenskyy’s statement comes after another significant overnight attack from Russia

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

2m ago11.54 GMT

Putin has 'no interest in peace', says EU foreign policy chief​

Russian leader Vladimir Putin “has no interest in peace”, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Saturday, after overnight strikes by Moscow’s troops killed at least 14 people in Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Kaja Kallas wrote on X:

Russian missiles keep relentlessly falling on Ukraine, bringing more death and more destruction. Once again, Putin shows he has no interest in peace. We must step up our military support – otherwise, even more Ukrainian civilians will pay the highest price.

Zelenskyy ‘fully committed’ to constructive dialogue with US after Trump defends Putin – as it happened

Zelenskyy’s statement comes after another significant overnight attack from Russia

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

The war in Ukraine is high on the diplomatic agenda next week, with several high-level talks expected.

There are several items in the agenda - including talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at establishing a ceasefire.

• President Volodymyr Zelensky says he will travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
• Their meeting comes a day before Ukrainian officials are expected to hold fresh talks with their US counterparts on Tuesday in Jeddah, where an initial ceasefire with Russia is set to be discussed - Zelensky won't attend these discussions
• In Europe, EU leaders have been scrambling to come up with a plan - both for how to support Ukraine as US support falls away and how to boost Europe’s own heavily-depleted defences
• France will host talks on Tuesday with military chiefs of staff whose nations are ready to offer Ukraine military support after any peace deal ending the war with Russia

Zelenskyy ‘fully committed’ to constructive dialogue with US after Trump defends Putin – as it happened

Zelenskyy’s statement comes after another significant overnight attack from Russia

www.theguardian.com

 

[statt#1]

There is a lot of backstory / history behind the events going on in the US and world today (I don’t mean just Trump, but that’s obviously part of it), and America’s (or to some, just the current administration’s) changed / changing views in our role in global politics, conflicts and trade ((so again, I don’t mean just Trump, but that is obviously part of it). Some of it might (might) inform (didn’t say justify) re: ceasing aid and intelligence. Each person decides what they believe to be the truth; the why

This includes what happened between Trump and Zelensky in the White House recently. There is a lot to it (jmo)

Not only is there significant backstory that I think might be helpful to advocates of any viewpoints when it comes to America’s new posture (outside and inside the country), but a lot that explains (or at least informs) some of the individuals and personalities involved in the current situation in Ukraine, EU, US and Russia - that might (or might not!) help infirm re: viewpoints and actions. It’s obviously up to the reader to decide.

I’m not claiming that any of it answers who is right or wrong. But imo the more each side (or viewpoint) is able to see things from the other side, the more reasonable and productive discussions are in finding a solution between parties - in anything, not just global politics

For those interested and with an open mind who wish to know more (even if they disagree with it all vehemently), I would offer up two recent articles I’ve read - one that describes a jaw dropping tale of what has happened over the past 4 US presidential elections (and the administrations and deep state politics of the last 18 years) written by a well-résumé’d lawyer and author up in PA; and one re: Trump’s recent decisions re: Ukraine today (right or wrong) written by a well known conservative historian at Brookings and Stanford. One is titled ‘Trump v. Atlanticism’, and the other ‘Five Ukrainian Myths’. One is long, one is short, but they both provide background on what’s happening (again, not saying it’s right)

There is also a lot online if you dig hard enough that helps one learn about personal backstories and the relationship dynamics specifically between individuals: Trump and Zelensky and Putin going back to at least 2012. Some of the pertinent backstory includes events in Ukraine, Washington DC, and Russia during previous Ukrainian governments/administrations and their respective leaders (and their backers). There’s a lot for me to learn.

Doing such research is just a look at what happened (even if each article you read has some bias). That’s my opinion anyway. Regardless of viewpoint, I think it helps to have read as much as you can, and be as informed as possible about what has happened in the past - to better understand what is happening today.

Again, I’m not saying any of it is right or wrong, or 100 percent accurate, or justifies any behavior or decisions we are seeing today. I am willing and interested in reading any articles (not just a link to some politician’s remarks tho) or other info that others think might better hrlp inform me.

Just encouraging all interested parties (on WS and not on WS) to read and learn as much as they can. Be as informed as you can be. There’s a lot to it imo (though I’m sure some will say none of it matters to some things). I don’t pretend to know more than just a little. Everybody is welcome to their own opinion.

All jmo

This is a great post. I've been saying this time and again. To ignore the Russian perception of events, their interests, whether right or wrong, is folly. To ignore NATO expansion is folly. To ignore previous administrations, agreements, empty promises on both sides of this war, is folly. Trump is trying to get Putin to the negotiation table. A 'western' hardline approach, threats of nuclear expansionism, ideas of Ukraine becoming a member of NATO, these things, to name a few, are, in my opinion, why Putin has cranked up the killing.

Zelensky knows all these things, he knew them prior to that meeting in Washington. The guy messed up real bad that day, and we see the results in the recent explosion of Russian rage. The warmongers continue to have what they lust for....war.

 

[UK Girl]

This statement is evidence of a misunderstanding. The "worlds press" means little to the average American. There is a HUGE population in the U.S. that simply no longer trusts, nor believes the "worlds press"...or even U.S. "mainstream media" for that matter. They are all seen as globalist entities, the U.S. mainstream media being a mere tool of the leftist democratic party.

It actually is not evidence of a misunderstanding. If I am going to be honest I would imagine its the MAGA part of the American population that no longer trusts the worlds press ESPECIALLY if it is negative about Trump. It seems very Cult like to me tbh.

 

[UK Girl]

This is a great post. I've been saying this time and again. To ignore the Russian perception of events, their interests, whether right or wrong, is folly. To ignore NATO expansion is folly. To ignore previous administrations, agreements, empty promises on both sides of this war, is folly. Trump is trying to get Putin to the negotiation table. A 'western' hardline approach, threats of nuclear expansionism, ideas of Ukraine becoming a member of NATO, these things, to name a few, are, in my opinion, why Putin has cranked up the killing.

Zelensky knows all these things, he knew them prior to that meeting in Washington. The guy messed up real bad that day, and we see the results in the recent explosion of Russian rage. The warmongers continue to have what they lust for....war.

Why would Poland not want Nuclear weapons after they have seen what has happened to Ukraine? it is also why Norway and Sweden joined Nato. The dictator has to learn that actions have consequences. As for anything else Putin has no interest in peace. He is the warmonger that continues to kill innocent people. Not Zelensky.

Also as much as its repeated that Zelensky messed up badly that day the reality is most of us know that that is not the truth. It did show Trump and Vance up though.

 

[Betty P]

The war in Ukraine is high on the diplomatic agenda next week, with several high-level talks expected.

There are several items in the agenda - including talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at establishing a ceasefire.

• President Volodymyr Zelensky says he will travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
• Their meeting comes a day before Ukrainian officials are expected to hold fresh talks with their US counterparts on Tuesday in Jeddah, where an initial ceasefire with Russia is set to be discussed - Zelensky won't attend these discussions
• In Europe, EU leaders have been scrambling to come up with a plan - both for how to support Ukraine as US support falls away and how to boost Europe’s own heavily-depleted defences
• France will host talks on Tuesday with military chiefs of staff whose nations are ready to offer Ukraine military support after any peace deal ending the war with Russia

Zelenskyy ‘fully committed’ to constructive dialogue with US after Trump defends Putin – as it happened

Zelenskyy’s statement comes after another significant overnight attack from Russia

www.theguardian.com

Why are these talks being held in Saudi Arabia? Wasn’t the Saudi Royal family behind the attacks on the World Trade Center? What standing do they have to negotiate anything? They’re not a member of NATO. Just because Trump has business deals with them doesn’t make them a trustworthy ally of the US, JMO.

This is a great post. I've been saying this time and again. To ignore the Russian perception of events, their interests, whether right or wrong, is folly. To ignore NATO expansion is folly. To ignore previous administrations, agreements, empty promises on both sides of this war, is folly. Trump is trying to get Putin to the negotiation table. A 'western' hardline approach, threats of nuclear expansionism, ideas of Ukraine becoming a member of NATO, these things, to name a few, are, in my opinion, why Putin has cranked up the killing.

Zelensky knows all these things, he knew them prior to that meeting in Washington. The guy messed up real bad that day, and we see the results in the recent explosion of Russian rage. The warmongers continue to have what they lust for....war.

I read the alleged Five Ukrainian Fables. It’s someone’s propaganda or simple sales pitch to justify Trumps actions against Europe. No new facts. Nothing of substance, JMO.

Trump has reversed the US diplomatic relations with its longstanding allies because of his business ties with Russia.

Without provocation, Russia invaded Ukraine, a country with a democratically elected leader. Russia has a long and bloody history of invading European countries. NATO allies have banded together to help Ukraine repel Russia’s attacks and prevent Russia from attacking and invading other European countries.

 

[statt#1]

"moving from confrontation to greater dialogue"

Zelensky and the warhawks are stuck on confrontation, hence the continuing death and destruction.

Good article

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592413