Russia – Page 29 – Blazingcatfur

Why Ukraine Wouldn’t Be a Cakewalk For Russia

For all the assessments of Putin as a geopolitical mastermind, he could be in over his head when it comes to Ukraine.

When will Russian president Vladimir Putin strike Ukraine again? It may be sooner than you think. President Joe Biden stated in his recent press conference that he’s convinced that Russian troops will attack, and Washington’s national security establishment is on edge.

Right now, more than 100,000 Russian troops plus an array of tanks and weapons surround Ukraine from three sides. Last week, a cyberattack hit a number of Ukrainian government websites to test their vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Russia also sent soldiers into Belarus (no one knows exactly how many) and six Russian ships are on the move to the Black Sea where they could be deployed as part of an amphibious attack on Ukraine from the south. Meanwhile, the troop numbers keep climbing.

by Blazingcatfur•January 24, 2022January 23, 2022•0•Russia, Ukraine

Joly has ‘open invitation’ to vacation in Moscow: ambassador

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has an “open invitation” to visit Moscow to meet with Russian officials, an offer first extended in December, says Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov.

In an interview on CTV’s Question Period airing Sunday, Stepanov said the Russian government would welcome the meeting.

“Your excellency Joly had the chance to chat with [Foreign] Minister [Sergei] Lavrov on the margins of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe meeting last December in Stockholm and expressed her interest to come to Moscow for consultations at some point and my minister extended the official invitation,” he said.

by Blazingcatfur•January 23, 2022January 23, 2022•0•Canada, Russia

Is Putin Bluffing in Ukraine?

The public has been so busy waiting for the war in Ukraine to start that it hasn’t noticed how much of it has already happened since it started in 2014, when the near-success of the Ukrainian government counteroffensive against Russian-backed militias forced Moscow to commit conventional forces to save the effort. Although “Ukraine, Russia, the DPR, and the LPR signed an agreement to establish a ceasefire, called the Minsk Protocol, on 5 September 2014,” the brigades had entered the stage.

by Blazingcatfur•January 23, 2022January 23, 2022•0•Russia, Ukraine

German navy chief Schönbach resigns for saying quiet part out loud about Ukraine

German navy chief resigns over Ukraine comments

The head of the German navy has resigned over controversial comments he made over Ukraine.

Kay-Achim Schönbach said the idea that Russia wanted to invade Ukraine was nonsense. He added that all President Vladimir Putin wanted was respect.

A number of countries have supplied weapons to Ukraine, including the US and UK. But Germany has refused Ukraine’s request for ammunition.

Russia has denied claims that it is planning to invade Ukraine.

German navy chief Schönbach resigns over comments on Putin, Crimea

Germany faced a diplomatic incident on Saturday following comments made by Navy chief Kay-Achim Schönbach on Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Ukraine crisis. Schönbach stepped down from his position late on Saturday.

Schönbach made the comments during a talk that he gave in a visit to India. Speaking at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the German vice admiral said Putin “probably” deserved respect.

“What he really wants is respect,” the vice admiral said, speaking in English in remarks that were posted on a video on YouTube.

by Blazingcatfur•January 23, 2022January 23, 2022•0•Russia, Ukraine

Do Ukrainians and Russians believe a full-scale war is possible?

“You can’t interview me I’m kind of famous in Ukraine ha ha!”

OK, I confess I didn’t know who the woman was, but her thoughts didn’t exactly seem preoccupied by a possible invasion on her country.

Her mood is matched by many at the snowy Kyiv food market we cross paths in, which wouldn’t look out of place on a Christmas card.

“Russia can do anything thanks to Putin, who is unpredictable,” says Volodymyr, who’s less concerned about his celebrity status.

“As long as Putin is there, risk will always remain.”

by Blazingcatfur•January 22, 2022January 22, 2022•0•Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine embassy asks to speak to somebody in charge after Trudeau’s $120M loan announced

‘We have hundreds of Russian tanks and armoured vehicles deployed along the Ukrainian border… The U.K. and the U.S. have already shipped the military equipment and we would appreciate if Canada follows suit’

by Blazingcatfur•January 22, 2022January 22, 2022•0•Canada, Russia, Ukraine, WTF?

The Russia-China Axis of Authoritarianism: Part I Testing Western Resolve in Ukraine and Taiwan

As Russia continues its troop build-up along the border with Ukraine, China has markedly increased its military activity near Taiwan. The twin geopolitical flashpoints, separated by 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles), are raising concerns that Russia and China could coordinate or conduct concurrent military offensives that the United States and its allies may find difficult to stop.

A failure to deter Russia and China — deterrence, especially military pre-positioning near the area under threat, is the least costly way to avoid war — would deal a potentially crushing blow to the post-World War II liberal international order. That system, whose principles and norms — including adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and the promotion of liberal democracy, as well as preserving the sanctity of territorial sovereignty and existing boundaries — has regulated the conduct of international relations for nearly 80 years.

by Blazingcatfur•January 21, 2022January 21, 2022•0•"China - Communist Slave State", Russia

Profiles In Courage: Trudeau offers Ukraine $120M loan as it confronts threat of Russian invasion

Canada today offered Ukraine a $120 million dollar loan to help the eastern European nation face down what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called an “aggressive” attempt by Russia to destabilize it.

The prime minister also hinted at more military assistance for Ukraine, while insisting again that Moscow “de-escalate” and refrain from further invading and occupying Ukrainian territory.

The federal government said the loan announced today is meant to go toward “economic resilience and governance reforms.” The terms of the loan are to be negotiated with the government of President Volodomyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

by Blazingcatfur•January 21, 2022January 21, 2022•0•Canada, Russia, Ukraine

If Trump Had Greenlighted Russia To Invade Ukraine Like Biden Just Did, He’d Be Accused Of Corruption

President Biden was actually operating from a coherent perspective in discussing Russia and Ukraine in Wednesday’s press conference: In every instance, as you go line-for-line in the transcript, his foreign policy—and the fact that he announced it to the world—is one where Russia has leverage over Biden and the president has a personal vendetta against the current Ukrainian government.

by Blazingcatfur•January 21, 2022January 21, 2022•0•Russia, Ukraine, USA

Russian ambassador to Canada says ‘nobody cares’ about threat of Western sanctions

In an interview on CTV News Channel’s Power Play with host Evan Solomon on Thursday, Stepanov said the possibility of new sanctions wouldn’t influence the country’s future actions.

If that were true, he’d be saying, “No, please don’t sanction us!”

by Sarcasticat•January 21, 2022January 20, 2022•0•"Disinformation", Russia, Russian propaganda, Sanctions

Beware the Ides of February

If you’re not making an extra effort to find some well reasoned thinking about the developing crisis in Ukraine, I’m not sure what to do for you. Well, perhaps I can point you in a direction to some of the better thinking on the issue I’ve found out there.

One of the best this week comes from Rob Lee over at FPRI.

He sets the table for you right off the bat in the first paragraph;

How ambitious are Russia’s foreign policy objectives, and how much force does Moscow believe it must employ to achieve them? Moscow has submitted various ultimatums, but the most critical and pressing issue is that the Kremlin now regards Ukraine as a permanently hostile country continuing to increase its defense capabilities. Russian hopes for improved relations with President Volodymyr Zelensky were dashed in 2021, and Moscow is now focused on reducing the long-term security risk posed by Ukraine, including halting its expanding defense cooperation with NATO. However, this is one of the most unrealistic and difficult demands for NATO to satisfy, particularly because Ukraine is developing long-range missiles domestically. This diplomatic impasse suggests a significant risk of a Russian military escalation in Ukraine with few obvious offramps.

h/t Jojodogfacedboy

by Blazingcatfur•January 20, 2022January 20, 2022•0•Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine President Zelensky hits back at Biden comments

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has hit back at comments made by his US counterpart Joe Biden about a “minor incursion” by Russia into his country.

Mr Biden had suggested that a “minor” attack might bring a weaker response from the US and its allies.

But Mr Zelensky tweeted: “There are no minor incursions. Just as there are no minor casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones.”

Russia has some 100,000 troops near the border but denies planning an invasion.

by Blazingcatfur•January 20, 2022January 20, 2022•0•Russia, Ukraine, USA

Germany Shows Lack of Resolve Against Russian Threats

It refuses to provide arms to Ukraine while other NATO members step up to do so.

Fears are rising that Germany is failing to do enough to prevent a Russian invasion and failing to aid Ukraine in the case of an attack amid warnings from the White House that Russian troops could invade at any time.

U.S. officials say there is evidence Russia is planning to overthrow Ukraine’s government and take Kyiv, CNN reported Tuesday. Russia is also deploying troops into Belarus — a development that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Tuesday shows Russia “is making moves that would suggest that they have plans to invade.”

by Blazingcatfur•January 19, 2022January 19, 2022•0•Germany, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

Trudeau promises to support Ukraine as Canadian warship departs for Black Sea

HALIFAX – A Canadian warship departed for Europe and the Black Sea near Russia on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted to fears of a Russian invasion in Ukraine.

Trudeau went on to accuse Russia of trying to start a fight with Ukraine and promised Canada’s support to the Ukrainian people, who are on edge as 100,000 Russian troops sit on their country’s eastern border.

Yet the prime minister stopped short when asked for details, including whether the government will extend a 200-soldier Canadian training mission in Ukraine whose mandate is set to expire at the end of March.

by Blazingcatfur•January 19, 2022January 19, 2022•0•Canada, Russia, Ukraine

If Russia invades Ukraine, Germany must pay the price

Pipeline politics have undermined Europe’s strategic advantage over Russia

A pipeline of natural gas from Russia to the West is also, in effect, a pipeline of money from the West to Russia. Neither side can cut off supplies to the other side without cutting itself off.

It’s a co-dependent relationship that has helped to keep to peace for decades. Pipeline politics has been especially helpful to the countries between Russia and Germany — and, in particular, Poland and Ukraine.

by Blazingcatfur•January 19, 2022January 19, 2022•0•Germany, NATO, Russia, Ukraine