Ukraine: President Zelensky’s important message on Day 16 of the invasion

We have already reached a strategic turning point. We are already moving towards our goal, our victory” (…) We need time, patience, our wisdom, energy, we need to do our job to the best of our abilities” (…) “Ukrainians are proud people who always defend their land, and will not give the occupier a single piece of this land, not a single percent of their freedom” (…) “If this continues, then sanctions packages against Russia are not enough, and I expect — we are already working on this today — new sanctions from our partners” (…) “Russia must pay for this terrible war, pay daily” (…) “A humanitarian catastrophe are two words that have become fully synonymous with the other two words, the Russian Federation” – Presidenet Volodymyr Zelensky (The Kyiv Independent, 11.03.2022).

Today is the 16th Day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine. President Zelensky is speaking of what is happening and he will of Ukraine. The Ukrainian President is showing the world and being the voice of the Republic, which is defending itself heroically. They are able to stop and block the advances of the Russian forces.

However, in a war there isn’t only the destruction and devastating ramification hitting the font-lines and the battlegrounds. No, these are coming home and places of security becomes scarce. There is clear evidence of civilian casualties and people being harmed. Public buildings being bombed, schools, universities, museums and kindergartens even. No, place is safe from the missiles, bombs and artillery fire towards the towns and cities of Ukraine. The Russian forces don’t mind the damage and suffering, as it is done to an enemy.

The UN States this very clearly today…

We remain gravely concerned by the rising death toll and human suffering in Ukraine and call for an immediate end to the attacks. We have so far recorded 549 civilian deaths and 957 injuries since the armed attack began on 24 February, although the actual figure could be much higher. Civilians are being killed and maimed in what appear to be indiscriminate attacks, with Russian forces using explosive weapons with wide area effects in or near populated areas. These include missiles, heavy artillery shells and rockets, as well as airstrikes. Schools, hospitals, and kindergartens have been hit – with hugely devastating consequences. On 3 March, 47 civilians were killed when Russian airstrikes hit two schools and several apartment blocks in Chernihiv. On 9 March, a Russian airstrike hit Mariupol Hospital No.3 injuring at least 17 civilians. We are still investigating reports that at least three civilians may have been killed in the airstrike. We spoke to different sources in Mariupol, including local authorities, indicating consistently that the hospital was both clearly identifiable and operational when it was hit” (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights – ‘Press briefing notes on Ukraine, 11 March 2022’ 11.03.2022).

The words of President Zelensky is powerful and inspirational. It is in the midst of need. That he asks the world to punish the ones who make his nation suffer. This is easy to grasp and understand, as his Republic is battling the Russians and their armed forces. They are bombing from the sky and attacking them on several fronts. The damage, the pain and suffering is happening on continuing basis. There is no stop of plights and heartache.

The Ukrainian are getting assaulted and facing the worst sort of brutality, as citizens are fleeing and others are behind to defend the Republic. The invader is here and they have no heart. They are only in it to get the Ukrainians to surrender and take over Kyiv. That’s what Putin and Kremlin is up too now.

Zelensky is right: “Russia must pay for this terrible war”. Not only the ammunition, the loss of lives and the current sanctions, but they need to feel the pinch and consequences of putting Ukraine in this here place. It shouldn’t get over with without a price and cost. The Russians has to pay a price and it should ensure the stagnation and ability to wage war ever again. That is a righteous cause, since Putin was willing to do this. The Republic he runs should be touched and it is. Not only symbolic, but in such a manner that the Kremlin wouldn’t dare to do this again. Peace.

Opinion: The Russian economy is tanking when the pension fund is used to save Russian companies

Putin signed a law allowing the placement of NWF funds in shares of Russian companies and government securities” (RIA Novosti, 09.03.2022).

What is the National Wealth Fund:

The National Wealth Fund (NWF) is a part of federal budget assets. NWF is dedicated to support pension system of the Russian Federation to guarantee long-term sound functioning of the system. Fund’s primer assignments are to co-finance voluntary pension savings of Russian citizens and to balance budget of Pension Fund of the Russian Federation” (NWF – About).

Things are not looking good financially in Moscow or in the Russian Federation. As the Russian invasion of Ukraine is costing the Russian a fortune. They are losing contracts, businesses and ability to trade like never before. Foreign companies are stopping to trade or even do business in Russia. Everything from importing vehicles to having a latte at Starbucks. All sort of European and Multi-National Corporations are stopping. They cannot even listen to Spotify anymore. That’s how things have moved.

This is taken to such an extent that the financial inclusion with the rest of the world is gone within 14 days. It took only two weeks from the Western corporation to see the light and bail out. They are ensuring the Russians doesn’t have the liquidity or equity, heck even the ability to transfer funds to cover the basics. The rouble is devalued and the rating of government bonds is also failing.

So, things are grim when the Russian Federation is blocking the ability to take currency across the border. Neither is the SWIFT working in various of banks. The U.S. is planning to stop the imports of oil. While there is still in the works to stop gas from being exported to Europe. If that all succeed the Russian will have less or lack foreign exchange. The dollarization of the economy is just gone. The Petrodollars and whatnot just vanished.

Yes, the Russians are connecting to the MIR System instead of VISA/Mastercard/American Express, but that is only by default and not because the Russians wants to. Yes, the Eurasia enterprise between Russian and China is good for business there. However, it will not be accessible in the West. This will only be with the few partners of Russia, which is a few former USSR republics and China. Not a giant market or a way of patching the obvious hurt.

You know things are bad when the President has to order the spending of the pension funds to salvage the Russian corporations. That shows there is severe problems and crippling financial structure only after a two weeks. This is really costing the companies and the state. As the NWF hav to cover the sudden lack of cash flow and keep things a float.

I am sure not all people will cry over the loss of Coca-Cola or McDonalds. However, it is a sign of the times ahead. The Russian economy isn’t boosted or been prepared for the severity of sanctions this time around. If they were.. the NWF wouldn’t be accessible as a form of covering over the lack of funding and saving companies. It is not done in good will, but of necessity. You don’t spend the collected pensions of your citizens on failing corporations for fun, but because you have too.

This is showing what sort of consequences the war has on the markets. As they are failing and now the state has to bail it out. That is a financial crisis and you have resorted to these means, if you didn’t have too. Peace.

United Kingdom: Louise Haigh MP letter to Grant Shapps MP – “Protection for trade unionists standing up to Vladimir Putin’s regime (06.03.2022)

RDC: Venotra Development – Protocole d’accord signe entre le Gouvernment de la RDC et le groupe VENTORA (03.03.2022)

Teso Affairs: The failure of Soroti Fruit Factory

Soroti Fruits Limited was incorporated to add value to fruits that were abundantly underutilised; to address the high post-harvest losses, provide market for the farmers produce, and create employment opportunities along the value chain, thus increased and diversified household incomes within the greater Teso Sub-region” (February, 2022).

This is not a shocker, as the Auditor General of December 2021 already have proven that the investment under Uganda Development Corruption (UDC) proved that the Government of Uganda huge investments into these State Owned Enterprises isn’t only unsuccessful, but blatant cash-grabs and “white-elephants”.

The “Report on the Alleged Mismanagement of Soroti Fruits Limited” only furthers this, as the produced report of February 2022 is no difference from the AG Report from December 2021. Therefore, it is only showing it more direct and one case, which happens to be the Soroti Fruit Factory.

Just read here:

The Committee made the following observations,’The only mango varieties not taken by the factory are the traditional mangoes which are said to have a lot of fiber which requires several systems to clean. Mangoes are mainly sourced from outside Teso sub-region because the available mango varieties in Teso contain fiber that cannot easily be processed by the current mango line. Whereas oranges are predominantly grown fruits in Teso sub-region, the factory found it economically viable to invest in a mango line as opposed to an orange line because the mango juice is a fast moving product that can sustain the market thus this could be one of the reasons orange growing farmers are frustrated” (February 2022).

The committee was concerned that Government has so far invested in Teso Fruits Limited a total of UGX 44.1 billion, in addition to the KOICA grant of USD.8million, however, this has not yet yielded any profits and this projects towards the fact that the factory may take a longer period to sustain itself” (February 2022).

What is really striking is that a Fruit Factory for the Teso region, has to “import” or get outside sourced Mangoes, which can work for the production line. As the type, which is mainly produced in the Teso region doesn’t work there. That shouldn’t be the case and shows that the Fruit Processing Plant isn’t scaled or made for the local fruit producers. This is just infuriating and insulting. Because, that is the purpose to value-add on the cash-crops, but in this case. It is instead for outside farmers who has a longer way to the factory, which isn’t the reason for the company to begin with.

On a second note, the Teso region is also producing more oranges, which isn’t even in the works. So, you can wonder what sort of planning that went into it and what sort of analysis of the region was to begin with. This is the Teso Region’s Fruit Factory, but it doesn’t serve the majority of the mango producers or the orange producers in the region. Meaning, they are outsourcing the fruit supply, because it isn’t produced in Teso. That is really impressive and foolish too. Who is this dumb?

Not only the spending, building and wastage of funds only, as it has been a money-pit and total loss from the on-set. This report isn’t painting a perfect picture. Yes, it was a report made because of an expensive road, but uncovers another bitter truth, which I find more interesting. As it is built a fruit factory, which isn’t made for the surrounding farmers of the region. That’s it. Peace.

Ukraine: Confereration Suisse – Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against Russia (28.02.2022)

Malaysia: Bank Negara Malaysia – Matter relating to 1MDB (23.02.2022)

Haïti: Association Des Industries d’Haiti (ADIH) – Note De Presse (23.02.2022)

International Coffee Organization: ICO Clarifies statement by Uganda Coffee Development Authority on withdrawal (22.02.2022)

Opinion: Sanctions will not stop Putin

The Russian Federation and President Vladimir Putin isn’t worried about economic or financial sanctions. That will not touch him the slightest. It will not hurt his political elite or the oligarchs who are partly invested and parts of the financial structure of the rest Europe. Putin knows this and his banking on it.

We should worry that the sanctions will be pointless or not hurt him. As arms embargo and other features will not be prevalent towards Russia. As it is a weapons producer and self-sufficient in some ways. It has also other forms of trade and means of getting revenue. The sanctions and financial implications will also hurt the rest of Europe, as the Gazprom and Gas is vital for the energy needs of Central Europe, which is exported from Russia. Therefore, stopping that will inflate prices and create an energy crisis there. This is why Putin has an ace up his sleeve.

Putin and his allies has planned this for some time. He wouldn’t have the signing ceremony with the separatist leaders of the Donbass regions. Neither would he have moved so much of the army towards the borders and into Belarus for no apparent reason. It was a slow waiting game for the right moment. As Putin knew it wouldn’t cost him much or very little to do so.

Yes, his condemned and the Western powers are writing statements with sort of plans to sanction Kremlin and LPR/DPR. However, this will be very futile, as the Russians has the army within Ukrainian territory and Putin doesn’t respect the nation of Ukraine as an entity. That was his speech today and it’s clear he wants to erase old “mistakes” in Eastern Europe.

Putin will not be faced with the sanctions, as he will brush it off, as he has other trading partners and agreements, which will keep the Russian federation alive and well. They has broader arrangement elsewhere and the West cannot hurt it that much. Yes, it looses some coins in the short-term, but it knows the West will return. As their gas is vital for the needs of central Europe. That’s how he has tricked the game.

That’s why the German Chancellor was such a mediocre figure in Moscow recently. He was such a softie and a lost duck. That must have given Putin hope that Europe wasn’t ready or able to find measures against him. Only Macron had some resolve, but he cannot carry the European Union and NATO on his shoulders. Therefore, Putin felt his safe and sound. He got the bargain chips and the ball is in his court.

That’s how things are looking and President Biden haven’t proven any strength or resolve. No, his been a distant outsider trying to forge a narrative. Nevertheless, he has neither acted in good faith or showed any sort of movement, which would strike fear into Putin. Putin is a seasoned leader and a well established head of state. He wasn’t in office yesterday and that’s why he has done what he could to read the room. This is preparing the war-room and the possible costs of a conflict.

Putin knew he could buy time and waste it for the adversaries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had no chances to win this. He is just being played by both sides. While he has the sovereign rights and territorial integrity of Ukraine to worry about. However, Putin knows he has little to gain or expect in the short term. As Ukraine was able to loose without much fanfare Crimea and now he hopes to repeat that. We just have to see how swiftly he will do this.

Putin hasn’t gambled and he will not fold over some coins lost. No, he will march on to his victory without any concern of the implication of the rest of the West or Eastern Europe. It is just the ideal of Putin and everyone else is just supposed to blindly follow him. Peace.