Expanded Trillionaires Club Tones Down Disgust with Russian War Against Ukraine

The expanded G-20 group of global economic high rollers, at their recently concluded 2023 summit in New Delhi, demonstrated the immoral and dangerous disparity that exists between Western and Eastern hemispheres’ comprehension of fatal regional issues, their approaches to dealing with war, and the never-ending danger of widening russian manipulation, aggression, and terrorism.

It also shows that the longer a war persists, regardless of how depraved and merciless it is, the sooner the worrywarts begin to cave into surrendering, acquiescing to the other side, usually the offending one, and toning down their condemnations. Are they learning to live with the victims’ pain?

We see this happening in American politics, and we see this occurring on the global arena.

At this year’s Group of 20 summit in India, moscow succeeded in convincing the spineless members into watering down a group statement concerning the war it launched 18 months ago. No longer will it make any reference to russia’s military action “against Ukraine,” as in the statement released last year. The leaders of the trillionaires club are denying that the war, launched by russia and condemned by many countries, as well as regional and global organizations, is currently being waged against innocent Ukrainians and turning their homeland into a wasteland. It’s just a war, a military action, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting with apparitions. Now the kremlin’s tanks, drones, and hundreds of thousands of troops and corpses are referred to as merely being “in” the country that putin has declared shouldn’t exist.

The worthless declaration adopted omitted any condemnation of russia’s invasion of Ukraine or its brutal conduct of the war, instead lamented with crocodile tears the “suffering” of the Ukrainian people. Lamenting someone’s misfortune is acceptable since you’re not pointing fingers at the guilty party and blaming it for wrongdoing. You’re merely shedding a compassionate tear or two that shows you are civilized in words alone.

It was a dramatic change from a similar document agreed to last year in Bali when leaders acknowledged differing views over the invasion but still issued a strong condemnation of the russian invasion and called on moscow to withdraw its troops. Russia didn’t and its cutthroats in uniforms remained in Ukraine for another 12 months, reigning death and destruction on innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children. Imagine what the russians will allow themselves to do now in the face of this year’s “paper tiger” document?

It has been correctly stated that powder puff reactions to russian war crimes and crimes against humanity will encourage putin and his criminal henchmen to perpetuate their crimes in Ukraine in perpetuity. Whatever else this needless body of global leaders stated in its weak declaration will remain on paper as moscow will not even consider heeding neither the spirit nor intent of the words. The kremlin will continue to ride roughshod over global law and order as it pursues its mission of subjugating Ukraine, annihilating Ukrainians, and expanding its empire.

Oleh Nikolenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, said on Facebook that the omission of Russian aggression from that feeble declaration was “nothing to be proud of.” These high rollers decided to overlook russian rockets and drones that have been regularly targeting civilians in pizzerias, restaurants, marketplaces, turning them into smoldering memorial parks, worthy only of these trillionaires’ lamentation.

“Ukraine is grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. At the same time, regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the G20 has nothing to be proud of,” said Nikolenko.

Nikolenko posted on his Facebook account a modified version of the official communiqué of the G20 summit in New Delhi, with words or expressions crossed out and replaced by others in red, reflecting notions the Ukrainian authorities would have preferred. Indeed, the world isn’t fighting in Ukraine, but rather russian is fighting against Ukraine. Examples included the phrase “concerning the war in Ukraine” becoming “concerning the war against Ukraine,” and “all states must refrain from the threat or use of force” replaced by “Russia must refrain...”

The new members of this monied club fail to comprehend what Europeans, especially East Europeans, the former captive nations have experienced. Russia’s aggression threatens regional and global peace, security, and development. And they must be held accountable, as a Latvian politician said.

Soon-to-be ex-Prime Minister of Latvia and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Krišjānis Kariņš said it is necessary to create an international tribunal that would prosecute russian leadership for crimes in Ukraine.

Lithuanian Foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Thursday, September 7, called on the Allies to speed up the delivery of their military aid to Ukraine, which is fighting back against russia’s aggression. “We should stand by Ukraine not for as long as it takes, but until Ukraine’s victory,” the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry quoted Landsbergis as saying at that informal meeting of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) foreign ministers in Latvia.

Those new members of G20 also don’t believe russia’s intention to roll across Europe.

In a recent interview with Moscow’s state-run Russia-1, a clip of which circulated widely on social media Saturday, Colonel-General Andrey Mordvichev said he believes putin’s war will last quite a long time and expand in the future, according to Newsweek.

“I think there’s still plenty of time to spend. It is pointless to talk about a specified period. If we are talking about Eastern Europe, which we will have to, of course then it will be longer,” the general said.

“Ukraine is only a steppingstone?" the interviewer then asked.

“Yes, absolutely. It is only the beginning,” Mordvichev responded, who went on to say that the war “will not stop here.”

Ukraine and the free world can always count on the former captive nations of the Baltic region. Hopefully, the nouveau riche global leaders will reflect on that high level of support and understand their dangerous error.

Another powerful sign of support for Ukraine was displayed by Greece and ten other Balkan countries that signed the Athens Declaration in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity at the Ukraine-Balkans Summit on August 21. Here are a few salient quotes from their statement.

● In the face of Russian aggression, we express our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, based on the values of democracy and the rule of law.

● We agreed that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities, such as attacks against civilians and the destruction of infrastructure, and all those responsible must be held accountable.

● Twenty years ago, the Thessaloniki Summit acknowledged that the Western Balkans belong to the European Union. We firmly believe that today this statement remains more relevant than ever. The escalating war of aggression against Ukraine has revealed the urgent need for a strong, resilient, and inclusive EU as a cornerstone of peace and prosperity among our peoples during these challenging times.

● We stressed that the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova, geographically adjacent to the EU Member States, share a common European heritage, history, and a future defined by shared opportunities and challenges. As a strategic investment in peace, security, and stability in Europe, it is important for these regions to be embraced as full-fledged members of the European family.

Yes, a powerful G20 declaration 18 months after russia invaded Ukraine would have been welcomed but at least Ukraine still enjoys the unconditional support of other countries as it fights off russian aggression and safeguards the free world.

Biden: ‘US Commitment to Ukraine’s Independence is Unwavering’

(The following is the text of the White House’s statement on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Ukrainian Independence released today, August 24, 2023.)

Today, the people of Ukraine are once more marking their Independence Day, while suffering the all-out assault of Putin’s craven war for land and power. For eighteen months, Ukrainian families have lived under the daily threat of Russian rockets and the reality of brutal attacks. But the people of Ukraine have refused to break.

On this Independence Day, as they have since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, brave Ukrainian women and men are defending Ukraine from assaults on fundamental principles essential to every nation on the planet – sovereignty and territorial integrity. They are showing the world once more that freedom is worth fighting for.

Independence means the freedom to choose your own future. It’s precious. Each year on July 4th, Americans celebrate our Independence Day as a time to remember the price we paid for our freedom and all the blessings that flow from it. So today, as Putin continues his brutal war to erase Ukraine’s independence and redraw the map of our world by force, Americans all across the country stand united with the people of Ukraine.

The United States will continue our work, together with partners all around the world, to support Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s aggression, to uphold the foundational principles of the UN Charter, and to help the Ukrainian people build the secure, prosperous, and independent future they deserve.

Our commitment to Ukraine’s independence is unwavering and enduring. That’s why the United States and other G7 nations issued a joint declaration in Lithuania last month pledging to help Ukraine maintain armed forces capable of deterring Russian aggression in years to come, a declaration which over 25 nations have now joined. Together with our partners in Europe, we are supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom now and we will help them over the long term.

We are also working with nations everywhere to hold Russian forces accountable for the war crimes and other atrocities they have committed in Ukraine. That includes the forcible removal of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. These children have been stolen from their parents and kept apart from their families. It’s unconscionable. And today, we are announcing new sanctions to hold those responsible for these forced transfers and deportations to account, and to demand that Ukrainian children be returned to their families.

I sincerely hope that next year, Ukrainians will be able to celebrate their Independence Day in peace and safety, knowing how their extraordinary courage inspired the world. May Ukraine’s Independence Day be a reminder that the forces of darkness and dominion will never extinguish the flame of liberty that lives in the heart of free people everywhere.

https://ua.usembassy.gov/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-ukraine-independence-day/

Biden Seeks $21 Billion for Ukraine; Polish President Says Helping Ukraine Now won’t Cost American Lives

Despite growing opposition to America’s continued support for Ukraine as it battles russian invaders in this predestined existential war, President Biden on Thursday asked Congress to provide more than $13 billion in emergency defense aid to Ukraine and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support through the end of the year, which constitutes another massive infusion of cash as the bloody russian invasion wears on for 18 months and Ukraine pushes a counteroffensive against the kremlin’s deeply entrenched forces.

A political abyss on the issue has steadily grown, with the Republican-led House facing enormous pressure to demonstrate support for the party’s leader, Donald Trump and other right wingers, who have opposed helping Ukraine in the war. And American support for the effort has been slowly softening.

White House budget director Shalanda Young, in a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, urged swift action to follow through on the U.S. “commitment to the Ukrainian peoples’ defense of their homeland and to democracy around the world” as well as other needs. Additionally, the White House is seeking to put credence on the President’s commitment to will help Ukraine “as long as it takes” to oust Russia from its borders. However, privately, according to the Associated Press, administration officials have warned Ukrainian officials that there is a limit to the patience of a narrowly divided Congress — and American public — for the costs of a war with no clear end.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), said in a statement there was strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate.

“The latest request from the Biden administration shows America’s continued commitment to helping Americans here at home and our friends abroad,” he said. “We hope to join with our Republican colleagues this fall to avert an unnecessary government shutdown and fund this critical emergency supplemental request.”

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who has championed of support for Ukraine, was more subdued.

“I look forward to carefully reviewing the Administration’s request to make sure it is necessary and appropriate,” McConnell said in a statement, “to keep America safe, secure our borders, support our allies, and help communities rebuild after disasters.”

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement urging Congress to swiftly pass critical funding for disaster relief programs while separately considering military aid for Ukraine.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby juxtaposed the dollar cost of supporting Ukraine against russian subjugation of the entire country, stating “For people who might be concerned the costs are getting too high, we’d ask them what the costs — not just in treasure but in blood, perhaps even American blood — could be if Putin subjugates Ukraine.”

The U.S. has approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to russia’s invasion, totaling about $113 billion, with some of that money going toward replenishment of U.S. military equipment that was sent to the frontlines. Congress approved the latest round of aid in December, totaling roughly $45 billion for Ukraine and NATO allies. While the package was designed to last through the end of the fiscal year in September, much depends upon events on the ground.

“We remain confident that we’ll be able to continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” said Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

On the other side of the world, among the former captive nations of russian subjugation, support for Ukraine is very strong. The countries of Eastern Europe and the Baltic States are adamant about the need for Ukraine’s victory and are providing it with a variety of arms and equipment. Furthermore, due to the mobilization of belarusian troops on its western border, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland have responded by stepping up their security forces deployment.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Polish President Andrzej Duda said American elected officials that are opposed to helping Ukraine defeat russian aggression fail to understand the genuine threat of renewed russian imperialism.

“It is very simple,” Duda told The Post’s Marc A. Thiessen. “Right now, Russian imperialism can be stopped cheaply, because American soldiers are not dying.” But if we don’t put a halt to Russian aggression now, “there will be a very high price to be paid.”

Duda reminded that Poles have experienced 600 years of Russian efforts to subjugate them and their neighbors. In the 18th century, Russia helped partition Poland, wiping it off the map for 123 years. In 1920, the Bolsheviks attacked “in the hope of spreading communism across the whole of Europe” but were stopped by Polish forces in the Battle of Warsaw. In 1939, the Soviets attacked again alongside Nazi Germany and “Stalin seized half of Poland, bringing it under Soviet occupation” — until Hitler turned on his Soviet allies. Then in 1945, the Red Army retook Poland and “pushed the German occupiers out only to replace them with their own occupation,” resulting in “an additional 44 years behind the Iron Curtain.”

Thiessen continued that now, Duda says, we are witnessing a “resurgence of Russian imperialism” — starting with Moscow’s 2008 invasion of Georgia, its 2014 attack on Ukraine, its full-scale invasion last year — and its “repeated threats directed at the Baltic states, Poland and all of Central Europe.” Vladimir Putin and his cronies “are dreaming of power of the tsars and the restoration of czarist territory.” We must stop russia’s advance in Ukraine now “so that it does not come to pass, as it did in World War I and World War II, that American soldiers have to shed their blood and to lose their lives in Europe to restore peace and liberty to the world.”

Despite the growing winds of opposition, Theissen wrote that Duda’s bold support for Ukraine is politically courageous. However, he didn’t state it, this bold support is echoed in the capitals of the Baltic States. Theissen stated “unfortunately, in the United States, most of the leading Republican presidential candidates are not showing similar courage. Is Duda worried what will happen to American support for Ukraine if Republicans win in 2024?

“No,” Duda told him, “I have no doubt that the United States understands perfectly the threat posed by russian imperialism.”

“And it is my profound belief that the United States also understands how important it is to make sure that democracy does not disappear from Central Europe. Everyone knows that where russia is, there is no democracy.”

Indeed, and the leaders and peoples of Eastern Europe know well that if Ukraine fails, if Ukraine is defeated by russia, then they too will fail and russia will occupy them again and restore the iron curtain. Is that the world that the Republicans and right wingers are supporting?

Christianity of Kyivan-Rus enrages muscovy/russia

Today, Ukrainians the world over are observing the 1035th anniversary of the Christianity of Kyivan-Rus. It is simultaneously an historic and joyous commemoration for all Ukrainians everywhere as they attest their – and only theirs – ancient spiritual and national legacy.

However, russians have striven to steal both from our nation. They have sought to demonstrate not only the similarity of Ukrainians and russians but also threatened to forcibly unite the nations and countries thus erasing Ukrainians from humanity’s memory.

Indeed, in the July 29, 2013, edition of The Torn Curtain 1991 newsletter, I forecast that Putin’s arm twisting of Ukrainian leaders at that commemorative event in Kyiv would ultimately lead to Russia’s violent attempt to rebuild the torn iron curtain one way or another.

Taking advantage of the observance of the 1025th anniversary of the Christianity of Kyivan-Rus, when the territory of today's muscovy was a frog-infested swamp, putin visited Ukraine and drove his point about re-unification with russia.

Amid a host of religious, predominantly Orthodox spiritual leaders, putin on Saturday, July 27, 2013, urged Ukraine to join forces with russia, its colonial overlord, saying russians and Ukrainians were “one people” – his ongoing moronic expression.

Undoubtedly, his words angered Ukrainians in Ukraine and beyond, who do not feel that russians and Ukrainians are one. Furthermore, his remarks seem to confirm observations by Ukrainian and other officials, congressmen and pundits that putin is doing everything in his power to resurrect the russian empire and restore the iron curtain. For confirmation, just read today’s headlines.

Ten years ago putin urged the two majority Orthodox neighbors to further integrate economically.

“Intense competition is going on now in global markets, for global markets," putin said after talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. “Only by joining forces can we be competitive and win in this rather tough competitive fight. We have every reason to believe that we can and must do it.”

However, he cynically added that russia would “respect whatever choice the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian state will make.”

As well as promoting economic ties, putin stressed the bonds between both countries forged by a common history and what he called russia and Ukraine’s “spiritual unity.”

“Together we went through great trials, tribulations and tragedies, together we built and defended the Great Rus,” putin said following a meeting with Ukraine’s top Orthodox clergy.

“All of us are spiritual successors of what happened here 1025 years ago. And in this sense we are certainly one people.”

If you had even the slightest doubt about russia’s intentions or even considered putin to be a pretty upright fellow, then his arm twisting in Ukraine then and invasion of Ukraine today should reaffirm the russian people’s recidivist treacherous side. The goal remains the same: invade and subjugate Ukraine, annihilate the Ukrainian nation and destroy its cultural legacy.

Nothing smacks of a restoration of the russian prison of nations and the iron curtain more than putin’s remarks over the years. Today’s russian war against Ukraine has merely added actions to words and reinforced moscow’s millennial intentions.

As in the past, so too in the future, we’ll be asked, what did you do to oppose russian expansion?

Life Imitating Art or russian & nazi terrorists never change

For those who can’t understand the latest iteration russia’s war against Ukraine, I found easy-to-comprehend clarity about the untold russian crimes against humanity committed against not only the Ukrainian nation but also the 1,000-year legacy that went into creating Ukrainians.

Every morsel of what it means to be Ukrainian. Every letter. Every word. Every book, poem and play, every artwork, painting and statue, musical note and composition. Every idea, invention, structure and edifice, achievement of a Ukrainian or all Ukrainians.

Since time immemorial and especially in the past 17 months muscovites/russians regardless of the flag atop the kremlin have endeavored not only to annihilate Ukrainians but also their creations that have attested to where they came from, where they are and where they hope to go.

We witnessed entire families mercilessly killed by russian cutthroats in uniforms. We’ve also seen them destroy museums, churches, historical books and literature, and artworks. The other day we saw the ruins of a historic sobor in Odesa that was struck by a russian missile. That Ukrainian house of worship was destroyed by stalin, later rebuilt and now destroyed by putin – leaders of the same murderous people.

Consequently, once Ukraine will defeat Russia and ensure its eternal entombment, Ukrainians must begin the task of rebuilding not only the farmlands and urban infrastructure, but also recreate as much as possible all aspects of their heritage, their culture. 

Why? The russians led by their demented putin wanted to erase Ukrainians and their memory from humanity’s memory.

Here’s how a comparable tragic situation was summarized by George Clooney’s character Lt. Frank Stokes in the 2014 movie The Monuments Men, a movie about a six-man Allied squad that was tasked to locate classical artworks stolen and hidden by the nazis: “You can wipe out an entire generation, you can burn their homes to the ground and somehow they'll still find their way back. But if you destroy their history, you destroy their achievements and it’s as if they never existed. That’s what Hitler wants and that’s exactly what we are fighting for.”

That’s what putin wants and that’s exactly what we, Ukrainians and the free world are fighting for.

US Lawmakers & UN Sec-Gen Condemn russia’s attacks on Odesa

With russia’s latest inhuman twist in its 17-month war against Ukraine that now focuses on food, US lawmakers and the UN Secretary-General have loudly condemned its heartless strategy.

Earlier this week moscow abrogated its participation in the grain accord that allowed Ukraine to safely export grain from its Black Sea ports to waiting markets around the world. The kremlin now considers the southern coast of Ukraine its war zone. For the past three days it has mercilessly bombed civilian living quarters and loading docks in order to derail any seaborne exports of wheat and other grains derived from Ukrainian farms. Furthermore, russia warned that it would sink any vessel on the Black Sea steaming toward Odesa on the suspicion of it’s being a military ship. The Black Sea is now a military no man’s land. Food is as much a weapon in russia’s hands as are cluster bombs.

In addition to raining destruction on the maritime infrastructure, russian missiles have also destroyed living quarters and killed innocent civilians. As you’ve read here, there is no collateral damage in russia’s war against Ukraine because all civilian residences and civilians themselves are regarded as legitimate military targets by moscow.

The fear is that this latest cruel tactic of moscow will contribute not only to price spikes on food but also famine around the world.

Yesterday Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01), and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, released the following statement on the Black Sea Grain Deal and attack on Odesa.

“We strongly condemn Russia’s callous decision to withdraw from the multilateral agreement allowing Ukrainian grain to continue being exported through the Black Sea,” said the co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “As the ‘breadbasket of Europe’ agriculture is fundamental to Ukraine’s economy and the global food supply. Russia’s reneging on an international agreement is yet another attempt to force Ukraine into submission. This decision will not only impact Ukraine but will leave millions around the world at heightened risk of hunger and even on the brink of starvation. Putin knows his decisions will have far reaching and deadly consequences and tragically, he does not care. Russia’s overnight attacks on the port city of Odesa demonstrates their intention to completely disrupt the flow of Ukrainian grain to the rest of the world, even if that requires attacking civilian infrastructure.”

Today Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General, issued this statement attributable to the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Ukraine:

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the Russian attacks against port facilities in Odesa, and other Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
“The attacks contradict the Russian Federation’s commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations, which states that ‘the Russian Federation will facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil and fertilizers from Ukrainian controlled Black Sea ports.’
“The Secretary-General also recalls that the destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. 
“These attacks are also having an impact well beyond Ukraine. We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south.
“For his part, the Secretary-General will not relent in his efforts to ensure that Ukrainian and Russian food and fertilizer are available on international markets as part of his ongoing efforts to fight global hunger and ensure stable food prices for consumers everywhere.”

I hope that these statements, as beneficial as they are, will not be relegated to the “nice but who cares” category. The kremlin habitually disregards all public criticisms and denunciations of its heinous actions. Nonetheless, statements in support of Ukraine are needed.

Ukrainians Consider Cluster Bombs a Boon to their War Effort and Existence

Since the United States approved a couple of weeks ago sending Ukraine cluster bombs to help fight and defeat russian terrorists that have invaded Ukraine 17 months ago, the world has been appalled and panic stricken.

The reason is that this weapon can inflict collateral damage on civilians. What is collateral damage? According to the dictionary, it is injury inflicted on something other than an intended target; specifically: civilian casualties of a military operation.

If you’ve been following my blog then you’d know that in Ukraine there is no collateral damage. All of Ukraine is a legitimate target in the minds of putin, his commanders and their cutthroats. Soldiers, ammunition storages, tanks, civilians, children, apartment buildings, pizzerias, etc. are military targets for russian terrorists.

Consequently, Ukrainian civilians aren’t aghast by Washington’s decision supply their armed forces with cluster bombs. I asked a colleague, a writer and publisher in Lviv, which endured a direct hit by russian missiles on an apartment complex that killed at least a dozen civilians, his thoughts about the frenzy over cluster bombs. He replied:

“And why didn’t the world go crazy on February 24, 2022? Why didn’t it start going crazy in February 2014 (when Crimea was invaded and seized)?

“Russia has been widely using cluster bombs since last year. And how does the world react to this?

“By the way, in American cluster bombs, up to 2% do not go off after the explosion, which can later pose a danger. And up to 45% of russian cluster bombs don’t detonate! Is there a difference?

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine fire only on military targets. Not civilians. Unlike muscovites.

“Ukraine did not sign the convention on cluster munitions, which was adopted in May 2008 in Dublin, because it considers cluster munitions to be legal weapons. Ukraine will use cluster munitions only for the de-occupation of its territories within the borders of 1991, which are recognized in the international legal field. That is, the weapon can be used in the temporarily occupied territory, but will not be used for strikes on the territory of the russian federation. Ukraine commits not to use cluster munitions in cities, and will strike only in areas where russian troops are concentrated, in order to break through the enemy’s defense lines.

“Ukraine must win. Ukrainians have no other way out.”

Indeed, if Ukrainians do not fight and defeat russians, there will be no Ukraine and Ukrainians.