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Compares countries in the political strategy, viewpoints towards the conflict and relationship with Russia.
Countries compared
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Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 **Media Thread** NO DISCUSSION
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LIVE | Russische troepen trekken Charkov binnen, gevechten op straat
Fierce street fighting in Kharkiv
Russian troops have entered the Ukrainian city of Kharkov, sparking fighting in the streets. Local authorities say the Ukrainian army is "eliminating the enemy".
There is fighting in several places in Kharkiv. Machine guns are used and explosions have also taken place, reports a journalist from the AFP news agency <Agence France-Presse>. The population has been urged by the authorities to stay indoors.
Authorities reported earlier in the morning that the Russian army had entered the northeastern city with "light vehicles". Videos show Russian military vehicles driving through the streets. Other images show a burning tank.
Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine with 1.4 million inhabitants and is located about 400 kilometers east of the capital Kiev.
A smashed armored vehicle stands just outside the city of Kharkiv. (Reuters)
More countries close airspace to Russia
More and more countries are closing their airspace to Russian aircraft due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Romania and Denmark, among others, have been added to that list on Sunday.
"Belgium has decided to close its airspace to all Russian airlines," Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said. "Our European skies are open to those who connect people, not those who seek brutal aggression."
Please...keep standing Kharkiv! Long live the Ukrainians. Хай живуть українці
Fierce street fighting in Kharkiv
Russian troops have entered the Ukrainian city of Kharkov, sparking fighting in the streets. Local authorities say the Ukrainian army is "eliminating the enemy".
There is fighting in several places in Kharkiv. Machine guns are used and explosions have also taken place, reports a journalist from the AFP news agency <Agence France-Presse>. The population has been urged by the authorities to stay indoors.
Authorities reported earlier in the morning that the Russian army had entered the northeastern city with "light vehicles". Videos show Russian military vehicles driving through the streets. Other images show a burning tank.
Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine with 1.4 million inhabitants and is located about 400 kilometers east of the capital Kiev.
A smashed armored vehicle stands just outside the city of Kharkiv. (Reuters)
More countries close airspace to Russia
More and more countries are closing their airspace to Russian aircraft due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Romania and Denmark, among others, have been added to that list on Sunday.
"Belgium has decided to close its airspace to all Russian airlines," Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said. "Our European skies are open to those who connect people, not those who seek brutal aggression."
Please...keep standing Kharkiv! Long live the Ukrainians. Хай живуть українці
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Ukraine: what will China do? There are signs it is uneasy about Putin’s methods
Analysis: Beijing has held off from backing Russia, raising questions about the extent of any partnership
China’s decision to abstain on Friday night at the end of the UN security council vote condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine may be a source of deep frustration in the west, but it will also send a nervous tremor through the Russian ministry of foreign affairs that China’s protection is not unconditional.
UK-based diplomats, looking at the stance adopted by China in the middle of the week, were expecting Beijing to join Russia in voting against the US-sponsored motion, but in common with the United Arab Emirates and India, it abstained, leaving Russia isolated in deploying its veto power as a permanent member of the security council.
(...)
Putin may have shown his respect for China by delaying the invasion until after the Winter Olympics, but China was not consulted about the invasion. Chinese diplomats ridiculed forecasts of an invasion, and left many citizens in situ.
The deeper partnership agreement signed with Russia on 4 February, the opening day of the Beijing Winter Olympics, was predicated on no invasion. China benefits from the existing world order, and finds the instability unsettling. The prospect of Russia being cut out of the Swift payment system may benefit Chinese efforts to build an alternative, but the short-term disruption is worrying.
It was noticeable, for instance, on Friday that Russia offered high-level talks with Ukraine in Minsk, albeit on unacceptable terms, after a conversation between Putin and President Xi Jinping.
(...)
Ukraine, it said, should be a bridge of communication between the east and west, not the frontline of confrontations between major countries. That, by implication, suggests China would favour Ukraine being a neutral state.
The risk for Russia is that if it descends into pariah status, it will be left as a supplicant rather than a future partner with China. Within 10 years, Europe will have freed itself from dependence on Russian gas and oil – that has become a matter of urgent imperative in Rome and Berlin. Russia will be reliant on China as a customer.
(...)
Analysis: Beijing has held off from backing Russia, raising questions about the extent of any partnership
China’s decision to abstain on Friday night at the end of the UN security council vote condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine may be a source of deep frustration in the west, but it will also send a nervous tremor through the Russian ministry of foreign affairs that China’s protection is not unconditional.
UK-based diplomats, looking at the stance adopted by China in the middle of the week, were expecting Beijing to join Russia in voting against the US-sponsored motion, but in common with the United Arab Emirates and India, it abstained, leaving Russia isolated in deploying its veto power as a permanent member of the security council.
(...)
Putin may have shown his respect for China by delaying the invasion until after the Winter Olympics, but China was not consulted about the invasion. Chinese diplomats ridiculed forecasts of an invasion, and left many citizens in situ.
The deeper partnership agreement signed with Russia on 4 February, the opening day of the Beijing Winter Olympics, was predicated on no invasion. China benefits from the existing world order, and finds the instability unsettling. The prospect of Russia being cut out of the Swift payment system may benefit Chinese efforts to build an alternative, but the short-term disruption is worrying.
It was noticeable, for instance, on Friday that Russia offered high-level talks with Ukraine in Minsk, albeit on unacceptable terms, after a conversation between Putin and President Xi Jinping.
(...)
Ukraine, it said, should be a bridge of communication between the east and west, not the frontline of confrontations between major countries. That, by implication, suggests China would favour Ukraine being a neutral state.
The risk for Russia is that if it descends into pariah status, it will be left as a supplicant rather than a future partner with China. Within 10 years, Europe will have freed itself from dependence on Russian gas and oil – that has become a matter of urgent imperative in Rome and Berlin. Russia will be reliant on China as a customer.
(...)
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https://www.knack.be/nieuws/wereld/...-niet-in-wit-rusland/live-normal-1837557.html
10:59 on 27/02/2022 by Tex Van berlaer
Zelenski is grateful to Belgium for arms delivery
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky said on Sunday that last night was "very difficult" with Russian bombings he says targeted inhabited areas. He reacted with relief to the establishment of an international coalition to provide aid to Ukraine. That country has been the victim of a Russian attack on land and in the air for the fourth day in a row.
'The night was difficult. There were new firefights, new bombing raids on inhabited areas, on civilian infrastructure. Today we see that the occupying forces leave no target untouched," he said in a video message that was circulated via social media. 'Vasilkiv, Kiev, Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkov and many other cities are currently experiencing things that we have not seen worldwide since the Second World War.'
He turned to Belarus, the country that served as a base for Russian forces before they invaded Ukraine in an attempt to occupy Kiev. "Our children are being murdered from your territory," he said. 'How can you look your children in the eye? How can you look each other in the eye? How can you look your neighbors in the eye? Those neighbors, that's us.'
The Ukrainian president reacted with great relief to the creation of an international coalition to help his country. “We're getting weapons, medication, food, fuel and money. A strong international coalition will support Ukraine, an anti-war coalition.”
He thanked for the supply of weapons from Germany and Belgium and for the European agreement to exclude Russian banks from the Swift platform, which prevents Russia from conducting international trade.
Finally, Zelensky thanked Polish President Andrzej Duda for his efforts to help Ukraine join the EU. He called Russia's criminal actions against Ukraine a genocide and called on the international community to strip Russia of its right to vote in the United Nations Security Council. ( Belgium )
10:59 on 27/02/2022 by Tex Van berlaer
Zelenski is grateful to Belgium for arms delivery
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky said on Sunday that last night was "very difficult" with Russian bombings he says targeted inhabited areas. He reacted with relief to the establishment of an international coalition to provide aid to Ukraine. That country has been the victim of a Russian attack on land and in the air for the fourth day in a row.
'The night was difficult. There were new firefights, new bombing raids on inhabited areas, on civilian infrastructure. Today we see that the occupying forces leave no target untouched," he said in a video message that was circulated via social media. 'Vasilkiv, Kiev, Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkov and many other cities are currently experiencing things that we have not seen worldwide since the Second World War.'
He turned to Belarus, the country that served as a base for Russian forces before they invaded Ukraine in an attempt to occupy Kiev. "Our children are being murdered from your territory," he said. 'How can you look your children in the eye? How can you look each other in the eye? How can you look your neighbors in the eye? Those neighbors, that's us.'
The Ukrainian president reacted with great relief to the creation of an international coalition to help his country. “We're getting weapons, medication, food, fuel and money. A strong international coalition will support Ukraine, an anti-war coalition.”
He thanked for the supply of weapons from Germany and Belgium and for the European agreement to exclude Russian banks from the Swift platform, which prevents Russia from conducting international trade.
Finally, Zelensky thanked Polish President Andrzej Duda for his efforts to help Ukraine join the EU. He called Russia's criminal actions against Ukraine a genocide and called on the international community to strip Russia of its right to vote in the United Nations Security Council. ( Belgium )
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Russlands Krieg: Warum Putins Plan bislang nicht aufgeht
Why Putin's plan hasn't worked so far
Status: 02/27/2022 00:41 a.m
Russia is advancing in Ukraine but is encountering significant resistance. The losses seem relatively high, and people in Russia know little about them - yet.
By Patrick Gensing, tagesschau.de
It has been almost a week since Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order to invade Ukraine. Since then, his troops have been able to advance far into the neighboring country, but various analysts believe that Russia is making much slower progress than the Kremlin expected and planned.
This is indicated, among other things, by fighting around an airport near Kiev, where the attackers wanted to build a bridgehead for troop transport, but initially did not succeed.
Ukraine's anti-aircraft defense has so far not been able to completely eliminate Russia - with fatal consequences: Ukraine claims to have shot down two Russian transport planes in the night from Friday to Saturday alone, in which special forces were allegedly brought inland. According to the AP news agency, US sources confirmed this information, but so far there are no pictures or videos as evidence.
There also seemed to be problems in supplying the advancing troops. Videos show burnt-out Russian military transports that were supposed to deliver supplies. There are also increasing reports of Russian tanks stranded without fuel.
<snipped>
Reality check propaganda
But there is growing evidence that the defenders' morale is significantly higher than that of the attackers. As Ukraine fights as David against Goliath Russia and the population pulls together, the Russian attackers are confronted with a reality that doesn't fit with the Kremlin's propaganda.
Instead of being greeted by a jubilant populace eager to be liberated from a supposed "Nazi regime," the invaders find a well-prepared army and a populace willing to fight. Even without weapons, Ukrainians confront Russian tanks.
<snipped>
Parallel world in Russian state media
The Russian state media paints a completely distorted picture of the events that has less and less in common with reality: there is no mention of the war, there are no reports of Russian casualties, and allegedly there is no fighting in Kiev at all, only in the Donbass.
Many Russians are still convinced that no Russians were killed. A ticking time bomb until the edifice of lies of the government and the state media collapses. Although Putin controls his propaganda stations as weapons in the information war , total control of information is hardly possible in the age of social media.
So it's only a matter of time before videos of dead Russian soldiers, destroyed military columns and prisoners being paraded reach more people in Russia. Then the mood could quickly turn against the war.
Why Putin's plan hasn't worked so far
Status: 02/27/2022 00:41 a.m
Russia is advancing in Ukraine but is encountering significant resistance. The losses seem relatively high, and people in Russia know little about them - yet.
By Patrick Gensing, tagesschau.de
It has been almost a week since Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order to invade Ukraine. Since then, his troops have been able to advance far into the neighboring country, but various analysts believe that Russia is making much slower progress than the Kremlin expected and planned.
This is indicated, among other things, by fighting around an airport near Kiev, where the attackers wanted to build a bridgehead for troop transport, but initially did not succeed.
Ukraine's anti-aircraft defense has so far not been able to completely eliminate Russia - with fatal consequences: Ukraine claims to have shot down two Russian transport planes in the night from Friday to Saturday alone, in which special forces were allegedly brought inland. According to the AP news agency, US sources confirmed this information, but so far there are no pictures or videos as evidence.
There also seemed to be problems in supplying the advancing troops. Videos show burnt-out Russian military transports that were supposed to deliver supplies. There are also increasing reports of Russian tanks stranded without fuel.
<snipped>
Reality check propaganda
But there is growing evidence that the defenders' morale is significantly higher than that of the attackers. As Ukraine fights as David against Goliath Russia and the population pulls together, the Russian attackers are confronted with a reality that doesn't fit with the Kremlin's propaganda.
Instead of being greeted by a jubilant populace eager to be liberated from a supposed "Nazi regime," the invaders find a well-prepared army and a populace willing to fight. Even without weapons, Ukrainians confront Russian tanks.
<snipped>
Parallel world in Russian state media
The Russian state media paints a completely distorted picture of the events that has less and less in common with reality: there is no mention of the war, there are no reports of Russian casualties, and allegedly there is no fighting in Kiev at all, only in the Donbass.
Many Russians are still convinced that no Russians were killed. A ticking time bomb until the edifice of lies of the government and the state media collapses. Although Putin controls his propaganda stations as weapons in the information war , total control of information is hardly possible in the age of social media.
So it's only a matter of time before videos of dead Russian soldiers, destroyed military columns and prisoners being paraded reach more people in Russia. Then the mood could quickly turn against the war.
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“Ukrainian troops are in control of Kharkiv, governor says, after Russian attack”
Ukraine live updates: Ukraine claims control of Kharkiv after Russian attack - BBC News
Liz Truss has said she would support Britons wanting to go to Ukraine to help it fight the Russian invasion.
In an interview on the BBC One’s Sunday Morning programme, the UK foreign secretary replied “absolutely” when asked whether she would back anyone wanting to volunteer to help the Ukrainians fighting for their freedom.
She told the programme: “That is something people can make their own decisions about. The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine but for the whole of Europe.
”
Truss says she would back Britons going to Ukraine to fight Russia
Ukraine live updates: Ukraine claims control of Kharkiv after Russian attack - BBC News
Liz Truss has said she would support Britons wanting to go to Ukraine to help it fight the Russian invasion.
In an interview on the BBC One’s Sunday Morning programme, the UK foreign secretary replied “absolutely” when asked whether she would back anyone wanting to volunteer to help the Ukrainians fighting for their freedom.
She told the programme: “That is something people can make their own decisions about. The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine but for the whole of Europe.
”
Truss says she would back Britons going to Ukraine to fight Russia
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ISW published its most recent Russian campaign assessment at 3:00 pm, February 26.
This daily synthetic product covers key events related to renewed Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Key Takeaways February 26
- Russia has failed to encircle and isolate Kyiv with mechanized and airborne attacks as it had clearly planned to do. Russian forces are now engaging in more straightforward mechanized drives into Kyiv along a narrow front on the west bank of the Dnipro River and on a broad front to the northeast.....
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"...The only real value in punishing oligarchs is that it makes the west feel and look good because it is doing something. Economic sanctions – cancelling the Nordstream II gas pipeline, or restricting Russia’s access to the Swift system – may have a greater effect, but they may also rebound on us in the form of higher energy prices.
However, there is a much bolder and more imaginative approach. Russia’s ruling class – the members of the Duma, the Senate, the presidential council, the top echelons of the security and defence services, top state television employees – is several thousands strong. These men (and some women) draft, rubber-stamp, promote and carry out Putin’s decisions. Some of them also – unlike the oligarchs – actually advise him.
Being a member of the Duma or Senate is a pretty cushy number – you are well-paid, you can make an occasional speech if you wish, but you are basically there to vote for the Kremlin’s decisions, and, above all, you can extort as many bribes as you can cope with. (For this reason they are detested by a majority of Russians.) Members of the presidential council are civil servants, essential for the preparation of legislation. The security services play crucial roles in executing Putin’s vision. And TV propagandists spread disinformation.
These are the people to target – because when several thousand of the people Putin actually depends on begin to feel the consequences of his policies in their personal lives, there will be a groundswell of discontent.
Most of these people love to travel to Europe and the US. They educate their children here. They own properties here. The members of the Russian elite, their families and children, love to swan around on yachts, ski slopes and fine hotels in the west, posting pictures of themselves on Instagram. If they are denied visas to travel to the west – if they are effectively imprisoned in Russia – it will not take long for the discontent to permeate the entire political class. The message to them will be clear: if you want to enjoy your western lifestyles, you need a new leader who respects western values; until then, you’re banned.
The added value of this approach is that, unlike some economic sanctions, it will not harm ordinary Russians, in fact it will delight them.
If any kind of sanctions are going to have an effect, it is these. Forget the oligarchs; go for the political elite."
Forget the obsession with sanctions against oligarchs. I have a better way to hurt Putin | Angus Roxburgh
However, there is a much bolder and more imaginative approach. Russia’s ruling class – the members of the Duma, the Senate, the presidential council, the top echelons of the security and defence services, top state television employees – is several thousands strong. These men (and some women) draft, rubber-stamp, promote and carry out Putin’s decisions. Some of them also – unlike the oligarchs – actually advise him.
Being a member of the Duma or Senate is a pretty cushy number – you are well-paid, you can make an occasional speech if you wish, but you are basically there to vote for the Kremlin’s decisions, and, above all, you can extort as many bribes as you can cope with. (For this reason they are detested by a majority of Russians.) Members of the presidential council are civil servants, essential for the preparation of legislation. The security services play crucial roles in executing Putin’s vision. And TV propagandists spread disinformation.
These are the people to target – because when several thousand of the people Putin actually depends on begin to feel the consequences of his policies in their personal lives, there will be a groundswell of discontent.
Most of these people love to travel to Europe and the US. They educate their children here. They own properties here. The members of the Russian elite, their families and children, love to swan around on yachts, ski slopes and fine hotels in the west, posting pictures of themselves on Instagram. If they are denied visas to travel to the west – if they are effectively imprisoned in Russia – it will not take long for the discontent to permeate the entire political class. The message to them will be clear: if you want to enjoy your western lifestyles, you need a new leader who respects western values; until then, you’re banned.
The added value of this approach is that, unlike some economic sanctions, it will not harm ordinary Russians, in fact it will delight them.
If any kind of sanctions are going to have an effect, it is these. Forget the oligarchs; go for the political elite."
Forget the obsession with sanctions against oligarchs. I have a better way to hurt Putin | Angus Roxburgh
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PETER HITCHENS: The West acts tough with Russia because we’re just too feeble to stand up to our real enemy… China.
So they finally got their war. But what are they going to do now? This is the most avoidable, needless conflict in modern history.
It was nurtured and hatched in the small minds of foolish men. There was a compromise available, but because they were too proud to consider it, terrified civilians now weep outside the ruins of what were once their homes.
At this point, these noisy boasters turn out, as usual, to have big mouths and tiny fists. The Kremlin, responding to years of deliberate humiliation, taunting and provocation, finally goes mad and invades a sovereign country. The mighty West hits back by… chucking Moscow out of the Eurovision Song Contest.
You might have thought that, after 30 years of tough talk, they could have come up with something a bit better than that. But if you had observed, as I have, the steady, shameful shrivelling of Britain’s diplomatic soft power and hard armed forces over the past three decades, you would not have been surprised.................
PETER HITCHENS: The West acts tough with Russia because we're just too feeble to stand up to China | Daily Mail Online
So they finally got their war. But what are they going to do now? This is the most avoidable, needless conflict in modern history.
It was nurtured and hatched in the small minds of foolish men. There was a compromise available, but because they were too proud to consider it, terrified civilians now weep outside the ruins of what were once their homes.
At this point, these noisy boasters turn out, as usual, to have big mouths and tiny fists. The Kremlin, responding to years of deliberate humiliation, taunting and provocation, finally goes mad and invades a sovereign country. The mighty West hits back by… chucking Moscow out of the Eurovision Song Contest.
You might have thought that, after 30 years of tough talk, they could have come up with something a bit better than that. But if you had observed, as I have, the steady, shameful shrivelling of Britain’s diplomatic soft power and hard armed forces over the past three decades, you would not have been surprised.................
PETER HITCHENS: The West acts tough with Russia because we're just too feeble to stand up to China | Daily Mail Online
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MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian nuclear deterrent forces on alert amid tensions with the West over Ukraine.
Putin puts Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces on alert – Reading Eagle
@idreesali114
VIENNA, Feb 27 (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday about Ukraine, where war is raging in a country with four operational nuclear power plants and various waste facilities including Chernobyl.
Putin puts Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces on alert – Reading Eagle
@idreesali114
VIENNA, Feb 27 (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday about Ukraine, where war is raging in a country with four operational nuclear power plants and various waste facilities including Chernobyl.
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Tucker Carlson says Ukraine is not a democracy. Here are the facts.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...says-ukraine-is-not-democracy-here-are-facts/
Hungary, Carlson’s fave, is also listed as a “transitional or hybrid regime” and does not rank much higher than Ukraine. Ukraine’s overall Freedom House score, moreover, is higher than that of Mexico and Indonesia, two countries often labeled democracies.
(...)
Tucker Carlson leads rightwing charge to blame everyone but Putin
https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...says-ukraine-is-not-democracy-here-are-facts/
Hungary, Carlson’s fave, is also listed as a “transitional or hybrid regime” and does not rank much higher than Ukraine. Ukraine’s overall Freedom House score, moreover, is higher than that of Mexico and Indonesia, two countries often labeled democracies.
(...)
Tucker Carlson leads rightwing charge to blame everyone but Putin
Last edited:
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"Mr Zelensky offered alternate locations in Europe such as Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest or Baku to hold peace talks."
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-zelenskyy-russia-crisis-putin-peace-talks-b2024252.html?amp
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-zelenskyy-russia-crisis-putin-peace-talks-b2024252.html?amp
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From Ukraine's president Twitter account, Ukraine have reported Russia to the Hague.
Володимир Зеленський
@ZelenskyyUa
·
2h
Ukraine has submitted its application against Russia to the ICJ. Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression. We request an urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week.
Володимир Зеленський
@ZelenskyyUa
·
2h
Ukraine has submitted its application against Russia to the ICJ. Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression. We request an urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week.
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Germany this week also halted its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project with Russia and agreed to send weapons to Ukraine after long resisting pressure from Western allies on both issues and facing accusations of being too dovish towards the Kremlin.
"We will have to invest more in the security of our country to protect out freedom and democracy," Scholz told an extraordinary session of the Bundestag lower house of parliament on Sunday.
Germany to raise defence spending sharply in response to 'Putin's aggression'
"We will have to invest more in the security of our country to protect out freedom and democracy," Scholz told an extraordinary session of the Bundestag lower house of parliament on Sunday.
Germany to raise defence spending sharply in response to 'Putin's aggression'
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The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️️️BREAKING: Ukraine confirms peace talks with Russia today.
During a phone call with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed that the Ukrainian delegation would meet with the Russian delegation without preconditions on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, near the Pripyat River.
️️️BREAKING: Ukraine confirms peace talks with Russia today.During a phone call with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed that the Ukrainian delegation would meet with the Russian delegation without preconditions on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, near the Pripyat River.
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368,000 Ukrainians flee to European countries, including some that previously spurned refugees
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/26/europe-welcomes-refugees-ukraine-russia/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/26/ukraine-russia-zelensky-war/
In Ukraine, there’s precedent for Shuklin’s screen-to-reality sense of confidence: President Volodymyr Zelensky was an actor and comedian, whose only political experience before getting elected was playing the role of Ukraine’s president in a satirical TV series. Now, those savvy communication skills, his ability to sway audiences via social media, a healthy dose of grit and defiance — and not least of all, his readiness to die if necessary — has transformed him into an unlikely champion for Ukrainians and the world.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/26/europe-welcomes-refugees-ukraine-russia/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/26/ukraine-russia-zelensky-war/
In Ukraine, there’s precedent for Shuklin’s screen-to-reality sense of confidence: President Volodymyr Zelensky was an actor and comedian, whose only political experience before getting elected was playing the role of Ukraine’s president in a satirical TV series. Now, those savvy communication skills, his ability to sway audiences via social media, a healthy dose of grit and defiance — and not least of all, his readiness to die if necessary — has transformed him into an unlikely champion for Ukrainians and the world.
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The politics of Ukraine take place in a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic and of a multi-party system. A Cabinet of Ministers exercises executive power (jointly with the president until 1996). Legislative power is vested in Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian: Верховна Рада, lit. 'Supreme Council').
Politics of Ukraine - Wikipedia
Politics of Ukraine - Wikipedia
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Ukraine invasion: Russian planes face near-total airspace ban to west
''Russian-owned planes, including private jets, can no longer enter the skies above the Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia. Russian planes have also been banned from UK airspace.
Several more EU countries have now joined the action to close airspace to Russian flights:
''Russian-owned planes, including private jets, can no longer enter the skies above the Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia. Russian planes have also been banned from UK airspace.
Several more EU countries have now joined the action to close airspace to Russian flights:
- Germany is imposing a three-month ban from 15:00 (14:00 GMT) on Sunday
- Italy will close its airspace to Russian aircraft, the prime minister's office said
- Finland, which shares an 800 mile (1,300km) border with Russia, "is preparing to close its airspace to Russian air traffic," Transport Minister Timo Harakka wrote on Twitter
- Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said European skies were "open for those who connect people, not for those who seek to brutally aggress", and France and the Netherlands will also close their airspace from Sunday evening
- Denmark's foreign minister Jeppe Kofod said on Twitter that his country would close its airspace and push for an EU-wide ban
- Ireland and Austria have thrown their weight behind an EU-wide ban''
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https://m.jpost.com/international/article-698794
Nordic countries prepare to shut airspace to Russian planes
Putin puts Russia's nuclear forces on alert, cites sanctions
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a dramatic escalation of East-West tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday in response to what he called “aggressive statements” by leading NATO powers.
The order means Putin has ordered Russia’s nuclear weapons prepared for increased readiness to launch, raising the threat that the tensions could boil over into nuclear warfare. In giving it, the Russian leader also cited hard-hitting financial sanctions imposed by the West against Russia, including Putin himself.
Speaking at a meeting with his top officials, Putin directed the Russian defense minister and the chief of the military’s General Staff to put the nuclear deterrent forces in a “special regime of combat duty.”
“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin said in televised comments.”
Nordic countries prepare to shut airspace to Russian planes
Putin puts Russia's nuclear forces on alert, cites sanctions
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a dramatic escalation of East-West tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday in response to what he called “aggressive statements” by leading NATO powers.
The order means Putin has ordered Russia’s nuclear weapons prepared for increased readiness to launch, raising the threat that the tensions could boil over into nuclear warfare. In giving it, the Russian leader also cited hard-hitting financial sanctions imposed by the West against Russia, including Putin himself.
Speaking at a meeting with his top officials, Putin directed the Russian defense minister and the chief of the military’s General Staff to put the nuclear deterrent forces in a “special regime of combat duty.”
“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin said in televised comments.”
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“Top officials in leading NATO countries have allowed themselves to make aggressive comments about our country, therefore I hereby order the minister of Defense and the chief of the General Staff [of the RF Armed Forces] to place the Russian Army Deterrence Force on combat alert,” Putin said in televised meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov.
“Yes, sir,” replied Shoigu.
The Russian President also said the sanctions placed on Russia were unlawful.
Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine
“Yes, sir,” replied Shoigu.
The Russian President also said the sanctions placed on Russia were unlawful.
Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine
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