Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #2

[AliceInPain]

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has appealed to Russian soldiers, saying they will receive full amnesty and monetary compensation if they lay down their weapons.

“Those of you who do not want to become a murderer and die can save yourselves,” he said in a post on social media.

First round of Russia-Ukraine talks concludes

That guy wearing a brown jumper has no fear.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

That guy wearing a brown jumper has no fear.
View attachment 335084

Ha! But he is hiding...

 

[nhmemorymaker]

We are all going to have to be watching China.... They are spinning great tales in China right now..... This is from the NYT..so behind a pay wall for some... but here is just a bit of the indoctrination...


""If President Vladimir V. Putin is looking for international support and approval for his invasion of Ukraine, he can turn to the Chinese internet.

Its users have called him “Putin the Great,” “the best legacy of the former Soviet Union” and “the greatest strategist of this century.” They have chastised Russians who protested against the war, saying they had been brainwashed by the United States.

Mr. Putin’s speech on Thursday, which essentially portrayed the conflict as one waged against the West, won loud cheers on Chinese social media. Many people said they were moved to tears. “If I were Russian, Putin would be my faith, my light,” wrote @jinyujiyiliangxiaokou, a user of the Twitter-like platform Weibo.

the world overwhelmingly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Chinese internet, for the most part, is pro-Russia, pro-war and pro-Putin.""

Why the Chinese Internet Is Cheering Russia’s Invasion

 

[Bit of hope]

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has appealed to Russian soldiers, saying they will receive full amnesty and monetary compensation if they lay down their weapons.

“Those of you who do not want to become a murderer and die can save yourselves,” he said in a post on social media.

First round of Russia-Ukraine talks concludes

This is it...The Russian troops eventually will go against their leader...common sense...deprived from medical help, food, fuel, no clear directions ....deaths/casualties ignored.

Is this a little piece of good news:

From The Telegraph UK

Snake Island soldiers who told Russian warship to ‘go f--- yourself’ are ‘alive and well

Article is behind a paywall, so I can't post it. With the kind indulgence of the moderators, I'll post a sentence or two.

"The official statement from the Naval Forces said that those aboard “were illegally captured by the Russians” and that the ship’s seizure “is a violation of the rules and customs of war and international humanitarian law”. They call upon the international community to assist in any way it can in forcing their release.

In response to Russia’s aggression towards the soldiers on Snake Island, “hacktivist” group Anonymous broke into the maritime data of a $97 milllion (£72 million) luxury yacht believed to be owned by Vladimir Putin and made it appear that it had crashed into the island. They also changed the destination of the yacht to “Hell”.

Link:
Snake Island soldiers who told Russian warship to ‘go f--- yourself’ are ‘alive and well’

I have doubts about them being well...maybe alive, what is a good thing.....but captured...en then...

 

[whitelilac]

4 min ago
Norway will provide military equipment to Ukraine

From CNN's Niamh Kennedy in London

Norway will provide $226 million in humanitarian assistance and military equipment to Ukraine.

The Norwegian government announced the support measures in a statement Monday, saying that this "extraordinary allocation to Ukraine is intended to enhance the efforts of humanitarian actors to help the most vulnerable groups, including children."

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre condemned Russia's "military attacks in Ukraine," which he said were "causing widespread loss of life and suffering in the civilian population, destroying vital infrastructure and forcing people to flee their homes."

As far as military aid is concerned, Norway will send "military equipment such as helmets and bulletproof vests to Ukraine." The equipment was all requested by Ukraine and can be sent quickly, Norwegian Defense Minister Roger Enoksen added.
Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine

 

[whitelilac]

3m ago19:59

Several presidents of EU member states have published an open letter calling for Ukraine’s swift candidacy into the EU.

The letter reads as follows:
(see link)

The open letter follows an appeal earlier today from Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy for Ukraine to be granted EU membership immediately under a special procedure, with Ukraine formally applying for membership.

Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Turkey will limit Russian warship access to Black Sea, says Erdoğan – live

eta: the letter
Open letter by Presidents in support of Ukraine’s swift candidacy to the European Union
2/28/2022

We, the Presidents of the EU member states: the Republic of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Poland, the Slovak Republic, and the Republic of Slovenia strongly believe that Ukraine deserves receiving an immediate EU accession perspective.

Therefore, we call on the EU Member States to consolidate highest political support to Ukraine and enable the EU institutions to conduct steps to immediately grant Ukraine a EU candidate country status and open the process of negotiations.

In this critical moment, we reiterate our full solidarity with Ukraine and its People.

Jiri Ovcacek, Director of the Press Department and Spokesman for the President

 

[Herat]

That guy wearing a brown jumper has no fear.
View attachment 335084

OK, I had to laugh.

 

[Scrapper18]

We are all going to have to be watching China.... They are spinning great tales in China right now..... This is from the NYT..so behind a pay wall for some... but here is just a bit of the indoctrination...


""If President Vladimir V. Putin is looking for international support and approval for his invasion of Ukraine, he can turn to the Chinese internet.

Its users have called him “Putin the Great,” “the best legacy of the former Soviet Union” and “the greatest strategist of this century.” They have chastised Russians who protested against the war, saying they had been brainwashed by the United States.

Mr. Putin’s speech on Thursday, which essentially portrayed the conflict as one waged against the West, won loud cheers on Chinese social media. Many people said they were moved to tears. “If I were Russian, Putin would be my faith, my light,” wrote @jinyujiyiliangxiaokou, a user of the Twitter-like platform Weibo.

the world overwhelmingly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Chinese internet, for the most part, is pro-Russia, pro-war and pro-Putin.""

Why the Chinese Internet Is Cheering Russia’s Invasion

I think China is watching very closely to see how the world reacts to Russia. I think their decision on Taiwan could hinge on this war. JMO/MOO

 

[GRT]

Zelensky has filed for Ukraine to join the EU!!!

Brilliant move

EU eyes Ukrainian membership, could be bargaining chip in Russia talks

It was a good move on Zelinsky's part. But, I don't think it will happen.

 

[GRT]

I think China is watching very closely to see how the world reacts to Russia. I think their decision on Taiwan could hinge on this war. JMO/MOO

I think so, too. I would not be at all surprised to see China move on Taiwan in the next few weeks while the world is watching the Ukraine/Russia saga unfold.

 

[Skigh]

I think so, too. I would not be at all surprised to see China move on Taiwan in the next few weeks while the world is watching the Ukraine/Russia saga unfold.

I am not so sure.I do not think China would want to be ostracized by the world.

 

[Tiff23fr]

I think China is watching very closely to see how the world reacts to Russia. I think their decision on Taiwan could hinge on this war. JMO/MOO

I agree. I think they will certainly soak in the notion that war is no longer simply repercussions from countries and/or alliance organizations. Corporations are taking their own stance to send economic blows. This changes the field. I don’t think China wants this.

 

[Bit of hope]

OK, I had to laugh.

We need a laugh now and then....in this terrible ordeal....for all of you.....remember.....

 

[Herat]

Russia-Ukraine war: What is Putin’s endgame?

This article offers some sense of hope, if Putin can be persuaded not to vaporize Kyiv. This is a very interesting discussion

Russia-Ukraine war: What is Putin’s endgame?

"Accordingly, placing a Russian-friendly government in Kyiv is most likely the main objective of the Kremlin’s military intervention, said Nitoiu.

However, given the low likelihood of this being widely accepted among the Ukrainian population, Putin would have more success if the current government, perhaps stripped of some members but continuing to be led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was retained in office and able to negotiate with the Russians, Gill added.

“I think Putin’s options are quite limited. Russia is now trapped in achieving some sort of victory in Ukraine. Countries like China, India or Iran are watching closely, and not being able to declare victory will definitely undermine its image of a strong military power,” Nitoiu said.

 

[GRT]

I am not so sure.I do not think China would want to be ostracized by the world.

China's been making aggressive moves toward Taiwan and in the South China Seas since the Obama Administration. I agree they probably don't like the idea of being ostracized, but they'd still have their group of followers, including Russia and Iran.

If China ever plans on doing it--and they say they have the right to do it--it might be soon.

But, that's all JMOO.

 

[whitelilac]

14m ago15:11

The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor is seeking the court’s approval to investigate alleged war crimes in Ukraine, reports Reuters.

Prosecutor Karim Khan spoke on Friday, expressing his concerns about Russia’s war on Ukraine and saying that the court could investigate war crimes arising from the invasion.

“The next step is to proceed with the process of seeking and obtaining authorisation from the Pre-Trial Chamber of the Court to open an investigation,” said Khan today about seeking approval to investigate.

Lithuania previously called on the ICC to open an investigation into war crimes committed by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine, with Lithuania’s prime minister, Ingrida Simonyte, telling the Washington Post: “What Putin is doing is just a murder and nothing else, and I hope he will be in The Hague.”

Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Turkey will limit Russian warship access to Black Sea, says Erdoğan – live

 

[Skigh]

China's been making aggressive moves toward Taiwan and in the South China Seas since the Obama Administration. I agree they probably don't like the idea of being ostracized, but they'd still have their group of followers, including Russia and Iran.

If China ever plans on doing it--and they say they have the right to do it--it might be soon.

But, that's all JMOO.

China would not wish to jeopardize their trading relationship with the West. In my opinion , having seen the world's response to Russia, ,I think they are much less likely to invade Taiwan.

 

[Lillymac]

I agree. I think they will certainly soak in the notion that war is no longer simply repercussions from countries and/or alliance organizations. Corporations are taking their own stance to send economic blows. This changes the field. I don’t think China wants this.

I agree. I think sanctions or embargos against China would be a bigger impact to them.

 

[SouthAussie]

China's been making aggressive moves toward Taiwan and in the South China Seas since the Obama Administration. I agree they probably don't like the idea of being ostracized, but they'd still have their group of followers, including Russia and Iran.

If China ever plans on doing it--and they say they have the right to do it--it might be soon.

But, that's all JMOO.

China started making aggressive moves well before then. They started in 2005 when they passed their anti-secession law 'stating China's right to use "non-peaceful means" against Taiwan if it tried to "secede" from China.'

The threat was put there very clearly.

(We watch China closely here, for obvious reasons.)

 

[nhmemorymaker]

This is a very good article stressing that this conflict in Ukraine........ is driving China behavior. Oh Taiwan, what is going to happen????

China and Russia's Friendship in Ukraine Is Without Benefits

From the article:
At least Putin waited until after Beijing’s Winter Olympics ended on Feb. 20 before unleashing the dogs of war.

In fact, Xi and Putin’s friendship isn’t exactly overflowing with trust. Beijing and Moscow have been herded together partly because both are autocratic regimes—and partly because Biden sees each as a rival. Since 2018, Xi has called Putin his “best friend,” but the friendship remains a wary one. “Even if China privately advised the Russians not to invade, they wouldn’t have listened,” Shi said. “China’s influence on Putin actually is quite limited.

Medeiros said. “Despite Chinese claims of neutrality, the Biden administration likely will see Beijing as a co-conspirator with Moscow. And if any Chinese companies try to provide sanctions relief to Russia, they’ll be hit hard.”

“It’s complicated” is the mantra many Chinese analysts repeat when asked about Beijing’s predicament. Despite the fact that Xi and Putin vowed a strategic partnership without limits, there clearly are limits to their relationship. It’s not an alliance, and the Ukraine crisis has heightened Beijing’s nervousness about perceived analogies between Ukraine and Taiwan.