Foreign Minister of Ukraine Kuleba said that the night shift of the Titan chemical factory in Crimea was evacuated from the facility due to a possible provocation from Russia.
The West has complicated its position in other ways, too. As Marko Milanovic, a professor of international law at the University of Nottingham, pointed out in the European Journal of International Law Blog: “No matter how fantastical some Russian claims may be, the credibility of Western allies in responding to Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty remains deeply undermined, on the law and on the facts, by their own previous misadventures, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq.”
The West has complicated its position in other ways, too. As Marko Milanovic, a professor of international law at the University of Nottingham, pointed out in the European Journal of International Law Blog: âNo matter how fantastical some Russian claims may be, the credibility of Western allies in responding to Russiaâs violation of Ukraineâs sovereignty remains deeply undermined, on the law and on the facts, by their own previous misadventures, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq.â
How can we *from Ukraine* help you?) Maybe, it`s a translate trouble?
The West has complicated its position in other ways, too. As Marko Milanovic, a professor of international law at the University of Nottingham, pointed out in the European Journal of International Law Blog: âNo matter how fantastical some Russian claims may be, the credibility of Western allies in responding to Russiaâs violation of Ukraineâs sovereignty remains deeply undermined, on the law and on the facts, by their own previous misadventures, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq.â
I don't mean to be alarmist, but there was this intelligence report mentioned today. Had you heard of it?
Back home in NZ we'd say Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui at times like this. (be strong, be brave, be steadfast)
But most of all, have a big big heart.
Yes, rumors reach us. We have a big heart, we believe in the Armed Forces, they are very evil now. And I do not understand whether it is good or not (I am afraid for my child, but I believe in our unity).
Everything will be fine sooner or later.
Listened now
Thank you! The last news from our telegram channels: At the moment, from the front line, they report shelling by Russian mercenaries with Grad systems in the Donetsk region. The Office of the President of Ukraine reports that due to the aggravation in the Donbass, the security of Mariupol will be strengthened, Mariupol will be taken under increased protection. Latvia sent Stinger and ammunition. The occupiers in Crimea closed the checkpoints for entry and exit for citizens of Ukraine.
I don't mean to be alarmist, but there was this intelligence report mentioned today. Had you heard of it?
Back home in NZ we'd say Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui at times like this. (be strong, be brave, be steadfast)
Thank you!
The last news from our telegram channels:
At the moment, from the front line, they report shelling by Russian mercenaries with Grad systems in the Donetsk region. The Office of the President of Ukraine reports that due to the aggravation in the Donbass, the security of Mariupol will be strengthened, Mariupol will be taken under increased protection. Latvia sent Stinger and ammunition. The occupiers in Crimea closed the checkpoints for entry and exit for citizens of Ukraine.
Hi. Me and my family are now at home, in Kharkov, and listening to RP - its about 30 km from russian tanks. The situation in the city is mostly calm, there is no panic. All people have become more friendly, and also switch to the Ukrainian language (although Kharkov, due to its proximity to Russia, has always been a russian-speaking city). There are practically no cartridges and normal weapons for sale in weapons stores, and the territorial defense conducts exercises every day. I am very grateful to the listeners of the RP for the interest and *probably* concern shown towards Ukraine. Thank you. putin huilo.
the hearts of everyone around my neighbourhood are with you. this all feels like a giant step backwards into a dark history that all of us hoped was behind us. keep us posted. I am sure the majority of Russians don't want this madness either. There's no way you guys should be shooting each other.
Location: Perched on the precipice of the cauldron of truth
Posted:
Feb 23, 2022 - 11:08am
deltaindia wrote:
Hi. Me and my family are now at home, in Kharkov, and listening to RP - its about 30 km from russian tanks. The situation in the city is mostly calm, there is no panic. All people have become more friendly, and also switch to the Ukrainian language (although Kharkov, due to its proximity to Russia, has always been a russian-speaking city). There are practically no cartridges and normal weapons for sale in weapons stores, and the territorial defense conducts exercises every day.
I am very grateful to the listeners of the RP for the interest and *probably* concern shown towards Ukraine.
Thank you. putin huilo.
We are with you. Thanks for checking in and updating us.
Hi. Me and my family are now at home, in Kharkov, and listening to RP - its about 30 km from russian tanks. The situation in the city is mostly calm, there is no panic. All people have become more friendly, and also switch to the Ukrainian language (although Kharkov, due to its proximity to Russia, has always been a russian-speaking city). There are practically no cartridges and normal weapons for sale in weapons stores, and the territorial defense conducts exercises every day.
I am very grateful to the listeners of the RP for the interest and *probably* concern shown towards Ukraine.
Thank you. putin huilo.
I think the thing that is bothering most about all these comments that somehow the Ukraine does in fact belong to Russia or is at least in their sphere of influence is that this old cold war narrative is missing the point. This is not a conflict about geopolitical hegemony between imperial powers. Ukraine does not have any beef with Russia. This conflict is entirely concocted in the minds of a tiny elite who feel threatened. In other words it is a conflict between autocracy and democracy and that particular battle does not recognize national borders, as January 6 demonstrated all too well. If you have any doubts about that, look at Trump's latest comments.
I agree, though the minds of the tiny elite is just one, Putin. I do not believe he is beholden to anyone. The conflict is entirely of his making. Corruption has been endemic to Russia for a very long time. It is how they survived communism. I disagree with Friedmans saying that the US also precipitated this by allowing the expansion of NATO in the 90's. It disregards the desires of those countries that did, and I am sure they are quite happy they did, as I seriously doubt Putin will touch any of them. Perhaps if Ukraine had done so earlier there wouldn't be this conflict. Putin's history lesson, is interesting, even going back to the Golden Horde episode which I recall hearing about, but it is all rather complicated. It basically comes down to either Ukraine is an independent, autonomous nation or they are not. Per Putin, it's not. My personal experience with Ukraine was attending a Ukrainian culture festival in San Francisco in the late 80's when I was in the Navy. Granted, it the allure of 30 some flavors of frozen vodka, but we did experience some native dress and dance, as I vaguely recall. Though German, my great grandparents from my mothers side came from that region. It was my Grandfathers ability to speak fluent Russian that saved most the family when the Russians came, as it was the Russian officers that occupied their home. My mother escaped East Germany when she was 15. a few years later.
I think the thing that is bothering most about all these comments that somehow the Ukraine does in fact belong to Russia or is at least in their sphere of influence is that this old cold war narrative is missing the point.
This is not a conflict about geopolitical hegemony between imperial powers. Ukraine does not have any beef with Russia. This conflict is entirely concocted in the minds of a tiny elite who feel threatened.
In other words it is a conflict between autocracy and democracy and that particular battle does not recognize national borders, as January 6 demonstrated all too well.
If you have any doubts about that, look at Trump's latest comments.
I agree, though the minds of the tiny elite is just one, Putin. I do not believe he is beholden to anyone. The conflict is entirely of his making. Corruption has been endemic to Russia for a very long time. It is how they survived communism. I disagree with Friedmans saying that the US also precipitated this by allowing the expansion of NATO in the 90's. It disregards the desires of those countries that did, and I am sure they are quite happy they did, as I seriously doubt Putin will touch any of them. Perhaps if Ukraine had done so earlier there wouldn't be this conflict.
Putin's history lesson, is interesting, even going back to the Golden Horde episode which I recall hearing about, but it is all rather complicated. It basically comes down to either Ukraine is an independent, autonomous nation or they are not. Per Putin, it's not.
My personal experience with Ukraine was attending a Ukrainian culture festival in San Francisco in the late 80's when I was in the Navy. Granted, it the allure of 30 some flavors of frozen vodka, but we did experience some native dress and dance, as I vaguely recall. Though German, my great grandparents from my mothers side came from that region. It was my Grandfathers ability to speak fluent Russian that saved most the family when the Russians came, as it was the Russian officers that occupied their home. My mother escaped East Germany when she was 15. a few years later.
I think the thing that is bothering most about all these comments that somehow the Ukraine does in fact belong to Russia or is at least in their sphere of influence is that this old cold war narrative is missing the point.
This is not a conflict about geopolitical hegemony between imperial powers. Ukraine does not have any beef with Russia. This conflict is entirely concocted in the minds of a tiny elite who feel threatened. In other words it is a conflict between autocracy and democracy and that particular battle does not recognize national borders, as January 6 demonstrated all too well. If you have any doubts about that, look at Trump's latest comments.
“I think it (NATO expansion) is the beginning of a new cold war. I think the Russians will gradually react quite adversely and it will affect their policies. I think it is a tragic mistake. There was no reason for this whatsoever. No one was threatening anybody else. This expansion would make the founding fathers of this country turn over in their graves.
“We have signed up to protect a whole series of countries, even though we have neither the resources nor the intention to do so in any serious way.was simply a lighthearted action by a Senate that has no real interest in foreign affairs. What bothers me is how superficial and ill informed the whole Senate debate was. I was particularly bothered by the references to Russia as a country dying to attack Western Europe.
“Don’t people understand? Our differences in the Cold War were with the Soviet Communist regime. And now we are turning our backs on the very people who mounted the greatest bloodless revolution in history to remove that Soviet regime. And Russia’s democracy is as far advanced, if not farther, as any of these countries we’ve just signed up to defend from Russia. Of course there is going to be a bad reaction from Russia, and thenwill say that we always told you that is how the Russians are — but this is just wrong.”
It’s EXACTLY what has happened.
Good article. Friedman always is good. As to what he says here: Yes, but we are where we are now.
Agreed. And it would be wrong to think the NATO expansion was the only factor in the rise of the oligarchs. There was a lot of confusion, chaos and disarray in Russia post 1991.
âI think it (NATO expansion) is the beginning of a new cold war. I think the Russians will gradually react quite adversely and it will affect their policies. I think it is a tragic mistake. There was no reason for this whatsoever. No one was threatening anybody else. This expansion would make the founding fathers of this country turn over in their graves.
âWe have signed up to protect a whole series of countries, even though we have neither the resources nor the intention to do so in any serious way. was simply a lighthearted action by a Senate that has no real interest in foreign affairs. What bothers me is how superficial and ill informed the whole Senate debate was. I was particularly bothered by the references to Russia as a country dying to attack Western Europe.
âDonât people understand? Our differences in the Cold War were with the Soviet Communist regime. And now we are turning our backs on the very people who mounted the greatest bloodless revolution in history to remove that Soviet regime. And Russiaâs democracy is as far advanced, if not farther, as any of these countries weâve just signed up to defend from Russia. Of course there is going to be a bad reaction from Russia, and then will say that we always told you that is how the Russians are â but this is just wrong.â
Itâs EXACTLY what has happened.
Good article. Friedman always is good.
As to what he says here: Yes, but we are where we are now.
And I am not so sure Putin would not have tried to keep the âSoviet sphereâ intact â and beholden to Russia â even if NATO had not expanded to take in some of those countries.
“I think it (NATO expansion) is the beginning of a new cold war. I think the Russians will gradually react quite adversely and it will affect their policies. I think it is a tragic mistake. There was no reason for this whatsoever. No one was threatening anybody else. This expansion would make the founding fathers of this country turn over in their graves.
“We have signed up to protect a whole series of countries, even though we have neither the resources nor the intention to do so in any serious way. [NATO expansion] was simply a lighthearted action by a Senate that has no real interest in foreign affairs. What bothers me is how superficial and ill informed the whole Senate debate was. I was particularly bothered by the references to Russia as a country dying to attack Western Europe.
“Don’t people understand? Our differences in the Cold War were with the Soviet Communist regime. And now we are turning our backs on the very people who mounted the greatest bloodless revolution in history to remove that Soviet regime. And Russia’s democracy is as far advanced, if not farther, as any of these countries we’ve just signed up to defend from Russia. Of course there is going to be a bad reaction from Russia, and then [the NATO expanders] will say that we always told you that is how the Russians are — but this is just wrong.”
Putin is basically saying to Ukrainians (more of whom want to join the European Union than NATO): “You fell in love with the wrong guy. You will not run off with either NATO or the E.U. And if I have to club your government to death and drag you back home, I will.”
precisely. 
times like that I show my age.