Ukraine: Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani (31 March 2022)

Georgia: Is South Ossetia the next target of Russia after Ukraine?

I believe that unification with Russia is our strategic goal. Our way, the aspiration of the people. And along this path we will move. We will take the appropriate legal steps in the near future. The Republic of South Ossetia will be part of its historical homeland – Russia” (…) “The Russian world today defends the interests of those who are committed to it, those who oppose Nazism, respect universal human values and fundamental rights and norms accepted by the entire international community” – President of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov (30.03.2022).

We know that President Vladimir Putin has supported the “self-proclaimed” Republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which is territories belonging to the Republic of Georgia. Which are territories that have been Russian friendly after the invasion of Georgia in 2008.

Just like the Russian acted in Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbass region creating “People’s Republic’s” like the DNR and LNR in Ukraine. The same can be said about South Ossetia. We know the leaders of DNR and LNR signed a friendship agreement right ahead of the Ukrainian Invasion.

What the Self-Proclaimed President of South Ossetia does today is preparing the annexation of the Georgian territory and make it legally possible to become a part of the Russian Federation. That is clearly taking a huge part of the sovereign republic of Georgia. This is interfering fit the sovereign and it’s integrity. Which is nothing new from Kremlin or President Putin.

He will continue to do this and we can await parts of the Russian army to intervene here too. Come with support of the Russian friendly militias and people who defend this “People’s Republic”. When these sorts of actions happens…. We should be worried about other territories and unrecognized “People’s Republic’s” since the same could happen there.

Just like DNR, LNR… like the previously mentioned Abkhazia, but not to forget Moldovan region Transnistria where the Russian even has a permanent base. That could easily become a target there as well. The Russian has created these zones to undermine and to influence the former USSR Republics. Just in a manner that gives them a legality and reason to later annex it like Crimean peninsula.

President Salomé Zourabichvili should be worried as the Republic haven’t tried to appease Putin of late. He has instead tried to be closer to Ukraine and European Union (EU). The NATO membership has been at a stand-still since 2008 invasion of Russia. We know that Georgia has fast-tracked it’s membership with the EU. Therefore, we know the leadership of Tbilisi is becoming more Eurocentric, which is in stark contrast to the self-proclaimed and Russian supported “People’s Republic”.

So, it seems like Bibilov is trying to outsmart Zourabichvili. This is a way of Tskhinvali to get away from Tbilisi. Bibilov is following the leaders of DNR and LNR here. It is only about 2 months since these was proclaiming independence and signing agreements with Kremlin. The same fate can await South Ossetia and we don’t know if others planning to follow example.

However, this is just proving that the integrity and the territories in close to the Russian Federation can easily become tense. Where the Russians can use their power and might to intimidate the smaller former USSR republics. Here the Russians has invaded and created regions, which is only recognized by Russia.

That’s why… we know the game-plan and now Bibilov is showing loyalty to Putin. While his with a hope of a personal gain betraying Georgia. Peace.

Ukraine: Hungarian FM Szijjártó falsely accuse Ukraine of interference in the Hungarian election

The warfare in Ukraine isn’t stopping and somehow Budapest elites thinks the ones dealing with war has the time or ability to interfere with the elections in Hungary. Surely, the Ukrainian government has more than enough problems on their hands and crisis to solve. Than caring about who get votes in Győr or in Budapest.

The election in Hungary is mirrored by the conflict, because of the false neutrality of Fidesz. The President and his government is very close to Kremlin. That’s why the Ukrainian government has asked for more support and help. However, the Hungarian rather do nothing and not stop trading with Russia. As it is more important to be loyal to President Vladimir Putin. Than worrying about another Republic and it’s integrity getting attacked by Russian troops. Nevertheless, it is more important to scapegoat Ukrainian government in the days ahead of the polls.

Just read the translation of what the Hungarian Foreign Minister said and what the Ukrainian Foreign Minister retorted with. It is really telling and we all know where the loyalty lays in Budapest. The current government in Hungary is Moscow-bound and is embedded with them. They are afraid of offending or ceasing it’s relations.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said these words in a Facebook Video today:

We have decided not to supply arms to Ukraine and not to vote on sanctions that threaten the security of our energy supply” (…) “stay out of this war” (…) “provoked, dragged into, involved in this war in any way” (…) “As long as we govern, these decisions will, of course, remain valid” (…) “the negotiations between the Hungarian left and the Ukrainians are ongoing” (…) “and if the Hungarian left were to rule, they would immediately start arms transfers and vote on sanctions for the transport of oil and natural gas. But “as long as we rule, Hungary will be left out of this war” (…)”On April 3, the Hungarian people can decide on peace and security or drift into war” (Szijjártó, 30.03.2022 – ‘Péter Szijjártó: the Hungarian left has fallen ugly’ TENYEK).

Ukrainian Foreign Minister retort back:

In his comment to “Evropeiska Pravda”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine replied to his Hungarian counterpart: “Unlike Hungary’s conduct in Ukraine, we have never interfered in Hungary’s internal affairs, particularly on the eve of the election. It is unfortunate to see Minister Szijjártó ready to invent nonsense and ruin our long-standing relationships with him for the sake of short-term pre-election gain. If the medal from Lavrov is more important to him than the relationship with me, it is worth saying so directly,” said the Ukrainian Foreign Minister” (Dmytro Kuleba, 30.03.2022 – ‘The Hungarian Foreign Minister accused Ukraine of interfering in the parliamentary elections. Minister Kuleba denies this’ Babel.ua/Anna Kholodnova).

We are just seeing that the Hungarian politicians who are running for elections. Are running on a nationalistic agenda and trying to vilify Ukraine. That is really a foolish move and shows how they are puppeteers of Kremlin. The Foreign Minister of Hungary has already gotten a friendship medal from Lavrov in the past. It seems like Fidesz, the President and FM all are allies of Russia. That’s why they are using their platform to show loyalty that way.

This is why they speak like this and speaks of being provoked into war. Acting like they are “neutral” but it’s only showing who their ally really is. If they thought this was a wise move. It is not, because it only proving what Europe already knew. Putin has friends in Budapest and they are close to him. Peace.

Ukraine: Zelensky wants more targeted sanctions against Russia

This is a ruthless war against our nation, against our people, against our children. As of today, 143 children are known to have died. Mariupol remains blocked. Russian troops did not allow any humanitarian corridor to be organized today, they did not allow “silence”. Therefore, the situation must now be perceived in a balanced, wise way. As much as possible. Without excessive euphoria from success. But also without getting yourself worked up. We still need time. We still need weapons. We still have to fight, we have to be patient. We can’t burn emotions right now. We can’t set expectations too high. Just so as not to burn out” (Zelensky, 28.03.2022).

It has entered the 34th Day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defence has been able to stagnate and stop the Russian forces, which was supposed to enter Kyiv within days after the invasion on the 24th February 2022. The Russian Federation and the Kremlin power structure have been humbled by the resistance and the will of the Ukrainian people. They have also been targeted by a united Europe and Western power, which Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn’t foresee.

We know the European Union have made 4 packages of sanctions. There been reactions of Western companies suspending or stopping to invest in Russia. Everyone from VISA to Heineken has left Russia since the invasion. The Russian market have felt the move, but the Russians are still selling gas and oil to the EU, which is feeding the bottom-line and securing profits to the Russian state. Therefore, the totality of sanctions are still not crushing or depleting the Russian state. No, it is has only heart certain businesses and oligarchs.

That’s why Zelensky is right in saying this yesterday:

I will continue this activity tomorrow. I will talk to other world leaders. I will work with international organizations, with the nations of Europe and the world. Ukraine cannot and will not agree with the passive sanctions position of some entities towards Russia. There should be no “suspended” sanctions packages – that if the Russian troops do something, then there will be some answer… We went through this story last year when we said that strong preventive sanctions against Russia were needed to prevent an invasion. The preventive package was not made. A full-scale war has begun. There are now many hints and warnings that sanctions will be tightened, such as an embargo on Russian oil supplies to Europe, if Russia uses chemical weapons. There are simply no words. Just think about what it all came down to. Waiting for chemical weapons… We, living people, have to wait… Doesn’t everything that the Russian military is doing and has already done deserve an oil embargo? Don’t phosphorus bombs deserve that? Don’t the shelled chemical production or nuclear power plant deserve that? It is important for us that the sanctions packages are effective and substantial enough, given what is already being done against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. If the sanctions packages are weak or do not work enough, if they can be circumvented, it creates a dangerous illusion for the Russian leadership that they can continue to afford what they are doing now. And Ukrainians pay for it with their lives. Thousands of lives. Therefore, starting this week, we are creating a group of experts at the President’s Office – Ukrainian and international, who will constantly analyze the sanctions against Russia – what they really influence. Our goal is for the sanctions to work as intended. And so that there is no possibility to circumvent them. This must be a goal for the whole democratic world, without exception. No exception” – President Volodymyr Zelensky – “We have to fight, we can’t burn emotions so as not to burn out” (28.03.2022).

The European Union, United States and all their allies should reconsider their approach. As some of their sanctions are biting. That’s why the Russian high ranking officials and spokespersons has spoken ill of the sanctions. They have even said it will cause “doom and gloom” over Europe. However, the ramification will also hurt Russia directly and the citizens itself. Therefore, it is not like this is only hitting the Kremlin and associates of Vladimir Putin. Yes, the oligarchs and the rich allies have lost homes, yachts and such. However, it would be more damaging if they totally blocked SWIFT and stopped buying gas. The West would damage the economy, if they stopped importing Russian produced products and similar items. That because that would damage the industries and the amount of investment power the state would have.

The Kremlin and Russia would be shocked, if the EU and the West suddenly blocked exports from Russia to them. That means the Russian producers would have to find other markets and other ways of earning profits. To realigned their economy would take time and wouldn’t be easy overnight. This is what they could do to hit the pockets and ensure the break-down of the economy. The freezing of assets and state reserves has damaged the economy. The fiscal re-assurance isn’t there. Though the buying of gas and oil is keeping it afloat.

That is why the EU and the West needs to consider to do more and target it even better. Just like Zelensky said. This they should do in solidarity to the people of Ukraine and for a justified cause of territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. Peace.

Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24:00 28 March 2022 (29.03.2022)

Ukraine: Ministry of Defence – Operational Information on 06:00, 26.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion (26.03.2022)

Ukraine: Zelensky’s stern words to Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán [and Europe will remember the ‘neutrality’ of Budapest in favour of Moscow]

Hungary… I want to stop here and be honest. Once and for all. You have to decide for yourself who you are with. You are a sovereign state. I’ve been to Budapest. I adore your city. I have been many times – very beautiful, very hospitable city. And people, too. You have had tragic moments in your life. I visited your waterfront. I saw this memorial… Shoes on the Danube Bank. About mass killings. I was there with my family. Listen, Viktor, do you know what’s going on in Mariupol? Please, if you can, go to your waterfront. Look at those shoes. And you will see how mass killings can happen again in today’s world. And that’s what Russia is doing today. The same shoes. In Mariupol, there are the same people. Adults and children. Grandparents. And there are thousands of them. And these thousands are gone. And you hesitate whether to impose sanctions or not? And you hesitate whether to let weapons through or not? And you hesitate whether to trade with Russia or not? There is no time to hesitate. It’s time to decide already. We believe in you. We need your support. We believe in your people” – President Volodymyr Zelensky speech to European Council (25.03.2022).

We know that Hungary and ruling government Fidesz are closely associated with Kremlin over the years. After the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine the Hungarian government have tried to distance itself and not really do anything substantial in concern to the war.

It is well known that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other high ranking officials are friendly with Kremlin. They have been like that for years and clearly have no plans to change that relationship over a war in Ukraine. This is visible for everyone and it’s obvious.

It has been reported that the Hungarian government would veto stopping buying Russian gas and import of oil. The Hungarian government rather prefer being a trading partner with Russia, than sanctioning them. Neither is there any will in Budapest to stop buying Russian products. This shows that there is no solidarity or concern over the invasion of Ukraine.

The statements of Orbán of late is talking of independence and not being sacrificed on a chess-board of Central Europe. While he spoke of being neutral, but in a war and conflict like this… your neutrality is siding with one or the other. Especially, when your trading with one and not helping the other. With that in mind, Fidesz and Orbán has picked Moscow over Kyiv. That is evident and there is no other way to look at it.

The invasion happened a month ago. The war is having horrific results, which will have affect on Hungary like the rest of Europe. The refugee crisis, the inflation and other measures that will create a reaction in the European Union and elsewhere. That is all natural, as all nations who sanctions and stops trading with Russia will ensure less gas and energy. Which in the end make higher prices, unless others catches up on the shortfall of exports to the European common market.

The Hungarian government don’t want to participate in that and neither recognize the need of showing solidarity and be part of a European support of Ukrainian state in the middle of war.

It doesn’t get better when a neighbour reacts like this to the “neutrality” of Budapest:

Czech Defense Minister Jana Chernohova refuses to go to Budapest for Visegrad Four ministerial meeting. “I have always supported V4 and I am very sorry that cheap Russian oil is more important for Hungarian politicians than Ukrainian blood,”–she tweeted” (Euromaidan Press, 26.03.2022).

It really says something and the possible ramifications of shutting the close of Kyiv in the time of need. Because, everyone else know the European nations are only strong when they are united. As long as one defies or back downs on their own.

Orbán might think he can carry this all on his own. However, if a power like Russia comes knocking on their door. People will remember that you decided to be alone and not stand by the weak partner. Fidesz and Budapest could have supported Kyiv but decided to not to. That will have consequences and people will remember this…

Europe will remember this. Zelensky is only voicing what the rest of Europe will remember and it’s not a good look. Looking like the lap-dog and loyal tin-soldier of Kremlin while Ukraine is burning. That is not good publicity, but that is mere reality of what is going on today. Peace.

Opinion: Putin is crying out loud for Dostoevsky, but claimed Ukraine had no statehood..

Today they are trying to cancel an entire thousand-year-old country, our people. I’m talking about the progressive discrimination of everything connected with Russia … about this trend that is unfolding in a number of Western states and with the full connivance and sometimes encouragement of the ruling elites. The notorious culture of cancellation has turned in the abolition of culture” – President Vladimir Putin (25.03.2022).

As a warlord and a tyrant, Russian President Putin should be more consistent. When he ordered the war on Ukraine he was quick and brief to say that Ukrainian nation had no history or nationhood. Which is so not true, as the Ukrainian nation is an ancient one and is older than the Russian one. The USSR didn’t’ create Ukraine like Putin claimed, but he dismissed their hundreds of years of history.

So, hearing that the he speaks of the value of Russian culture and the “cancelling” of it in the West. Is just showing how he thinks Russian is imperial and is the centre of gravity. That is not shocking or surprising. Europeans know the Russian literature and cultural pieces has had impact. The stories, the books and whatnot is a part of our shared history.

That some theatres are cancelling certain plays, shows and dances is only coming as an reaction to the illegal invasion of Ukraine. It is the cultural elite, the owners of the cultural institutions and such announcing their distress and sympathy with Kyiv. Instead of doing and showing Russian cultural on their stages.

Many people know, they saw how a street artist recently painted on the house a portrait of the Russian writer Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, now accused and accused in the West. This gives hope that through the mutual sympathy of people, through a culture that connects and unites, the truth will make its way” (Putin, 25.03.2022).

Yes, certain festivals and other festivities this year has cancelled or ceased the Russian films and other art to be a part of it. That’s because the sentiments of non-support and boycott in direction to the war and invasion of Ukraine. It comes as the cultural organization make separate decisions on their own.

We know the Russian media and High Ranking Official are claiming it’s all Russphobia at the moment. However, like any action has a chain-reaction. People decide their own and take a distance from things they deem as wrong. The things associating with that tends to be deemed unfit and that’s why lot of things is happening.

Putin should look into his own statement about the culture and history of Ukraine. Because, he dismissed it and proves that he only see Moscow, but don’t see Kyiv. That’s why hearing this now after a war lasting a month. Is very distasteful.

Yes, at the very moment things are cancelled, but the classics and the literature, which is part of European history will return. When the war is over and the peace has been created. Certain things will return and be visible again. Right now it is just reminding people of the war and the aggressor. That’s why people are stopping and not supporting Russian arts or culture. Because, they want to boycott and show sympathy with Ukraine.

We know that Putin has no sympathy or cares that no mind. He believes in Russian supremacy and that’s why he cannot phantom the boycotts. However, if he had long term plans or thoughts. He would know that these things will return eventually when the pains and suffering of war is over. Peace.

Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24.00 23 March 2022 (24.03.2022)

Ukraine: Joint Statement by President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Trudeau (23.03.2022)