UN Says russian Crimes against Humanity in Ukraine Persist at ungodly Levels

The United Nations has uncovered additional heinous examples of premeditated and organized russian crimes against humanity and war crimes perpetrated during its latest war against Ukraine.

The 18-page report of Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine on the situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the russian aggression was released on October 19, 2023, and transmitted to the UN General Assembly.

The report paints a gruesome picture of the violent and bloody environment in which unarmed Ukrainian civilians have found themselves during the past 20 months of russian occupation of northern, eastern and southern Ukraine, including Crimea. It demonstrates that in Ukraine today the age-old concept of collateral damage is nonexistent because noncombatants are indiscriminately targeted by russian cutthroats as are combatants. The victims of inhumane acts are men and women, seniors and young boys and girls.

The UN investigated unlawful attacks with explosive weapons and their impact on civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and kidnapping, transfers and deportations of children.

The report stated “As the armed conflict continues in its second year, it has further contributed to suffering and hardship for thousands of affected civilians. The Commission has found new evidence that russian authorities have committed violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, and corresponding crimes, in areas that came under their control in Ukraine. It documented additional indiscriminate attacks by Russian armed forces, which have led to deaths and injuries of civilians and the destruction and damage of civilian objects.

“The collected evidence further shows that russian authorities have committed the war crimes of willful killing, torture, rape and other sexual violence, and the deportation of children to the russian Federation. The Commission’s investigations confirmed its previous finding that russian authorities have used torture in a widespread and systematic way in various types of detention facilities which they maintained. Interviews with victims and witnesses illustrated a profound disregard towards human dignity by russian authorities in these circumstances. The Commission also documented cases in which russian soldiers burst into houses of villages they occupied, raped women and a girl, and committed additional war crimes against the victims and their family members.”

For example, the Commission concluded that russian uniformed cutthroats, in violation of international humanitarian law, conducted an indiscriminate attack on a residential building in Uman city and failed to take feasible precautions to ensure that the objective was not civilian. In other words, the invaders didn’t care that it was not a military target. The Commission also determined that so-called russian soldiers have carried out indiscriminate attacks on the ATB supermarket and the OKKO gas station, have likely also carried out the attack that hit the Railway Station, all in Kherson city, and failed to take precautions to verify that the objectives are not civilian.

Torture of civilians has not been uncommon, the Commission reported: “In its report to the Human Rights Council, the Commission found that torture was widely used by Russian authorities in seven provinces of Ukraine and in the Russian Federation and detailed how it was practiced in detention facilities.13 During its second mandate, the Commission has continued to document the use of torture against numerous persons in additional detention centers in Ukraine. It focused on areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, which were controlled by Russian authorities for long periods of time. The new evidence is consistent with and reinforces the Commission’s previous finding that the Russian authorities’ use of torture was widespread and systematic.”

Furthermore, the Commission established that “Victims of torture recounted how severe physical and mental pain and suffering was inflicted upon them during confinement and interrogation. Torture often led to long-term physical and psychological trauma for the victims and their loved ones. A victim who had been subjected to electric shocks stated: ‘Every time I answered that I didn’t know or didn’t remember something, they gave me electric shocks. […] I don’t know how long it lasted. It felt like an eternity.’ The victim reported not being able to walk properly for days and suffering from deep anxiety in the aftermath. The husband of a victim, confined in a neighboring cell while she was tortured, said: ‘I will never forget her screaming of pain.’”

Several victims cited by the Commission mentioned the existence of “torture rooms” or “interrogation rooms.” One witness described how he was brought to a room where he saw tools apparently used for torture; he mentioned plyers, knives, saws, cutters, and a metal device with wires for electrocution.

Rape figured prominently in the russians’ bag of crimes. The Commission investigated reports of rape committed during detention. “Several former detainees, men and women, reported threats of rape and other sexual violence, against themselves, as well as their families and loved ones. For instance, a young woman stated that during interrogation, a russian authority warned that if she did not reveal names of informants of Ukrainian armed forces, he would bring 20-30 men to rape her. A man was told that his fiancée would be gang raped if he did not provide the required information. One former male detainee received threats to be thrown among regular prisoners who would rape him. Another former detainee mentioned threats of having his genitals cut off.” In some cases, the same perpetrator raped the victim two or more times. In two cases, perpetrators gang-raped the victims. One of the victims and her husband were shot dead by Russian soldiers after they reported the rape.

Kidnapping was also related by a host of victims. “The Commission identified three main situations in which russian authorities have transferred Ukrainian unaccompanied children from one area they controlled in Ukraine to another or to the russian federation. Transfers affected children who lost parents or contact with them during hostilities; who were separated following the detention of a parent; and children in institutions. It found that in some of the cases it investigated, such transfers occurred in violation of international humanitarian law and qualified as unlawful transfers or deportations, which is a war crime.”

Among the Commission's recommendations, as naïve as they sound, are demands that russia immediately Cease aggression and all acts of violence committed against civilians in violation of applicable international human rights and international humanitarian law and end the use of torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and other forms of ill-treatment.

It recommends, among other things, that Ukraine: As a preliminary step towards a comprehensive reparations program, establish a victims’ registry as an ‘institutional portal’ for better coordination of government services to victims; Comprehensively address mental health and psychosocial needs resulting from the armed conflict by tackling access and allocation of resources to the relevant services as well as enhancing their institutional coordination, legal regulation, monitoring, and evaluation; and consider establishing a DNA registry which would aid in the identification and recovery of missing children.

Finally, the Commission recommends that other states and regional and international organizations: Strengthen national, regional and international accountability mechanisms, both judicial and non-judicial, including by improving their coordination, and supporting the effective participation of civil society and groups representing victims and survivors; and ensure that all perpetrators, particularly commanders and other superiors, and those ordering, soliciting or inducing the commission of international crimes, are held accountable in accordance with international human rights standards.

The historic magnitude of these war crimes, perpetrated with the blessing of the russian leadership, certainly requires all russian officials from the kremlin to the village be served with arrest warrants, tried, sentenced, and executed like the nazis were before them.

President Biden Gets It!

For the past 600 days at least, President Biden has led the global crusade on behalf of Ukraine in its ongoing cold or hot, political or military battle against russia. However, in the wake of his Oval Office address to the American people last week, the President of the United States undeniably assured supporters, naysayers, enemies and others that he and his Administration are solidly on the side of Ukraine as the Ukrainian nation is engaged in its ultimate, unavoidable existential war against its age-old nemesis – russia.

Extolling the singular greatness of the United States in a unique bipartite mission of aiding Ukraine and Israel, President Biden pledged unceasing support for Ukraine and Israel as he said russia wants to annihilate Ukraine while Hamas simultaneously wants to annihilate Israel. Connect the dots between bloodshed in Ukraine and Israel and you’ll see what’s happening: Russia plus Hamas plus Iran the arms supplier are committed to annihilating Ukraine and Israel.

“Hamas and putin represent different threats, but they share this in common: They both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy — completely annihilate it,” the President said last Thursday, October 19.

America’s commander-in-chief emphasized that it is in America’s national security interest to defend Ukraine. He also assured allies near and far that the United States will stand with Ukraine, so russia won’t embark on a course of invading and conquering the neighboring former captive nations.

“So, if we don’t stop putin’s appetite for power and control in Ukraine, he won’t limit himself just to Ukraine. He’s — putin has already threatened to ‘remind’ — quote, ‘remind’ Poland that their western land was a gift from Russia,” Biden said. “One of his top advisors, a former president of russia, has called Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania russia’s ‘Baltic provinces.’  These are all NATO Allies.”

This isn’t a partisan observation but rather an obvious affirmation that the President gets it about Ukraine and Middle East better than the Republicans on Capitol Hill. The President espoused geopolitical themes that have been promoted for years by The Torn Curtain 1991 as well as Ukraine’s former captive-nation neighbors. He gets it who’s the enemy – russia, who needs to be supported – Ukraine, and who needs to be defeated – russia.

“You know, the assault on Israel echoes nearly 20 months of war, tragedy, and brutality inflicted on the people of Ukraine — people that were very badly hurt since putin launched his all-out invasion,” Biden said. “We’ve have not forgotten the mass graves, the bodies found bearing signs of torture, rape used as a weapon by the Russians, and thousands and thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly taken into Russia, stolen from their parents. It’s sick.”
Despite putin’s propaganda threat, Biden declared that the United States and its allies are not withdrawing from Ukraine.

Alluding to russia’s faltering invasion, Biden said that when putin invaded Ukraine, he claimed russia would take Kyiv and all of Ukraine in a matter of days. “Well, over a year later, putin has failed, and he continues to fail. Kyiv still stands because of the bravery of the Ukrainian people,” he said. “Ukraine has regained more than 50 percent of the territory russian troops once occupied, backed by a U.S.-led coalition of more than 50 countries around the world all doing its part to support Kyiv.”

Toward the end of his address, Biden announced that the next day he would ask Congress for an historical amount of money to help Ukraine and Israel, which turned out to be $105 billion.

“All Ukraine is asking for is help — for the weapons, munitions, the capacity, the capability to push invading russian forces off their land, and the air defense systems to shoot down russian missiles before they destroy Ukrainian cities,” he said.

Turning to domestic critics of his stalwart support for Ukraine that claim he is draining the country of needed funds, Biden pointed out that “We send Ukraine equipment sitting in our stockpiles. And when we use the money allocated by Congress, we use it to replenish our own stores — our own stockpiles with new equipment — equipment that defends America and is made in America: Patriot missiles for air defense batteries made in Arizona; artillery shells manufactured in 12 states across the country — in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas; and so much more. You know, just as in World War Two, today, patriotic American workers are building the arsenal of democracy and serving the cause of freedom.”

With russian boots still on Ukraine’s historic, highly fertile black earth, the Republican opposition growing in Congress, and war fatigue spreading, President Biden’s emphatic words assured the world that with America firmly on Ukraine’s side, it will certainly triumph.

Zelenskyy, Biden, Duda Call for Unity with Ukraine to Stave off russian aggression

Addressing the most pressing issue facing civilization today, President Biden, President Zelenskyy and President Duda passionately urged world leaders gathered at the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 19 to unconditionally support Ukraine in its existential war against russian invaders while warning against the dire consequences of a russian victory.

Denunciations against the evil empire that is russia for invading Ukraine and tearing asunder the security architecture established in the wake of World War II once again reverberated in the historic UN General Assembly Hall. These three national leaders together with others that have supported Ukraine called for a united front to stave off moscow’s military advances against Ukraine and ultimately the free world.

As Ukrainian, Polish and other Eastern European leaders have been predicting since russian armed forces crossed Ukraine’s border more than 18 months ago, if moscow defeats Ukraine then independent, democratic Eastern European countries will cease to exist.

“The United States of America [is] supporting Ukraine financially and I’m grateful for this. I just think they're not supporting only Ukraine alone. If Ukraine falls, Putin will surely go further. What will the United States of America do when Putin reaches the Baltic states? When he reaches the Polish border? He will. This is a lot of money. We have a lot of gratitude. What else must Ukraine do for everyone to measure our huge gratitude? We are dying in this war. Look, if Ukraine falls, what will happen in ten years? Just think about it. If [the Russians] reach Poland, what’s next? A Third World War?” Zelenskyy elaborated on CBS’ Sixty Minutes program on September 17.

In the United Nations, the leader of wartime Ukraine, dressed in his khaki shirt, called for global unity as the essential ingredient to defeat russia. “Please, hear me. Let unity decide everything openly. While russia is pushing the world to the final war, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after russian aggression no one in the world will dare to attack any nation. Weaponization must be restrained. War crimes must be punished. Deported people must come back home. And the occupier must return to their own land. We must be united to make it. And we will do it,” he urged.

Speaking a couple of hours earlier, President Biden told his colleagues that “We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow. That’s why the United States – together with our allies and partners around the world – will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom.”

Biden, who has been a comprehensive champion of Ukraine’s cause even as he faces partisan opposition on Capitol Hill, also asserted that the world must remain united in defending Ukraine against russian aggression, warning that no nation can be secure if “we allow Ukraine to be carved up” as the President tries to rally support for Kyiv’s effort to repel a nearly 19-month-old russian invasion.

He appealed to world leaders to not let support for Ukraine diminish, arguing that russia is counting on countries to grow tired of prolonged conflict in Kyiv which will “allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.” Russia alone is standing in the way of a resolution, Biden argued, saying that moscow’s price for peace was ‘Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory and Ukraine’s children.’”

“I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?” Biden said in his address. “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?”

He answered his own question with a simple “No.”

President Zelenskyy told the member-states that “The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our lands, our people, our resources into a weapon against you, against the international rules-based order. Many seats in the General Assembly Hall may become empty if russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression.”

He said russia as a terrorist state with a nuclear arsenal has no place in the United Nations and should be expelled. Russia threatens peace and security around the world with its weapons of mass destruction and it must be forced to surrender them, Zelenskyy said, reminding the attendees that Ukraine did so voluntarily three decades ago.

“Ukraine gave up its third largest nuclear arsenal. The world then decided russia should become a keeper of such power. Yet, history shows it was russia who deserved nuclear disarmament the most, back in the 1990s. And russia deserves it now – terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons. No right! But truly not the nukes are the scariest now,” he declared.

Zelenskyy accused moscow of weaponizing everything for the sake of defeating and subjugating Ukraine.

“There are many conventions that restrict weapons but there are no real restrictions on weaponization. First, let me give you an example – the food. Second, weaponization of energy. Now the threat is even greater. Russia is weaponizing nuclear energy. Not only is it spreading its unreliable nuclear-power-plant-construction-technologies, but it is also turning other countries’ power plants into real dirty bombs,” he detailed. 

“The third example is children. Unfortunately, various terrorist groups abduct children to put pressure on their families and societies. But never before would mass kidnapping and deportation become a part of the government policy. Not until now…Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken… This is clearly a genocide.”

President of Poland Andrzej Duda echoed his colleagues’ condemnation of russia’s crimes against humanity in Ukraine, saying “Today once again, it befell on us to live in dangerous times! As a result of Russia’s full-scale aggression on Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives or suffered injuries, millions were forced to flee their own home country, and hundreds of millions worldwide are facing the specter of famine, and serious economic disruptions. Russia’s brutal aggression brought immense global problems in its aftermath. It put to a test international world order.”

Saying that Poles “understand the tragedy of Ukraine better than any other country in the world, and the tragedy of other countries experiencing the pandemonium of war,” Duda said “When unleashing the war in Ukraine, vladimir putin wanted to restore the russian empire, to divide the world and to make Europe systematically dependent on his raw materials. He has not succeeded! It is my firm belief that he will no longer succeed.”

In a speech almost entirely devoted to the war against Ukraine, Duda said “This brutal war must end, and not be converted into a frozen war! This can only be done by restoring the full territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders!

“Poland’s position in the face of any war is clear and straightforward: we demand absolute respect for internationally recognized national borders. The inviolability of these borders is a fundamental element of the world order. Today, the victim is Ukraine. Tomorrow, it could be any one of us, if we do not follow these ironclad rules, if we do not insistently enforce compliance with international law!”

Returning to the prevailing, hopeful theme of international law and order, respect for national borders, and mutual security, Zelenskyy concluded his address by stating “Look – for the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked. This is a real chance for every nation – to ensure that aggression against your state, if it happens, God forbid, will end not because your land will be divided and you will be forced to submit to military or political pressure, but because your territory and sovereignty will be fully restored.”

Decisive Week for Ukraine and the Free World

The United States, the free world and the international community will have an historic opportunity this coming week to unitedly declare again that they will longer tolerate global terrorism and crimes against humanity as they did in 1939, when they mobilized a joint front to defeat Nazi Germany.

These countries have been patiently, with trepidation observing the latest iteration of russia’s war against Ukraine for more than a year and a half while Ukrainian civilians have been killed, their cultural heritage destroyed, and ecology of their homeland contaminated for generations to come.

The member-states of the United Nations will gather in New York City for the 78^th Session of the General Assembly, which presents a reasonably suitable venue to reassert once again the assemblage’s condemnation of moscow’s wanton violation of international law and order. This global forum has in the past adopted more than one resolution denouncing russia for illegally seizing and occupying Crimea and for invading Ukraine. It has authorized sanctions against the powerbrokers in the kremlin, beginning with putin. It should not waste this chance not only to repeat its strong position but to urge the member-states to take decisive action in defense of Ukraine for the sake of global peace and security. A return to the UN's sustainable agenda for global peace, security and development will be impossible without a defeated and humbled russia.

Ukraine can depend on the continuous supportive statements and actions by the United States, Canada, Great Britain as well as the former captive nations of Eastern Europe. It would be unimaginable that no solid action would be undertaken in the wake of such declarations. Armaments and monetary aid should continue to flow into Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, who will be one of 193 heads of states or other potentates to address the General Assembly, will meet again with President Biden in the White House.

With the pro-Ukraine mood on Capitol Hill and among Americans wavering, Zelenskyy’s task to muster American and international support for Ukraine is daunting. Today, the Republicans are creating trouble for Ukraine in the hallways of Congress. Ironically, they, descendants of Nixon, Goldwater, Reagan and McCain, must be persuaded that the fate of the free world and Ukraine depends on their support for Ukraine.

To be sure, it’s not that they’re abandoning Ukraine for the sake of russia, but rather they are bored, tiring of the war’s seemingly endless duration, forgetting at the same time that the arduous task of liberating Ukrainian towns can’t be completed haphazardly. The international community, as we witnessed at the G20 summit, fears for its livelihood, which is being torn asunder by russia’s war against Ukraine, not by Kyiv. Consequently, for the pipeline of goods and services that it needs from Ukraine and the region to remain intact, the wealthiest collection of countries must also share the burden of defeating russia or at least creating an environment for its defeat. The fundamental reasons for russia’s defeat and Ukraine’s victory have been expounded frequently at every location by politicians, academics and the citizens on the street.

Zelenskyy will surely present to Biden and the Joint Chiefs of Staff a laundry list of arms and other supplies that Ukraine needs to defeat russia. So, give Ukraine what it needs. Thus far, as we’ve been witnessing, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been successful in turning the tide of the war against russia. Towns are being liberated, acreage is being reclaimed, russian naval vessels are sunk, moscow itself is under attack, and Crimea may be freed of russian occupation.

All this signals that Ukraine has the means and skills to valiantly and triumphantly fight a 21^st century war against what has turned out to be a second-rate military power. It is incumbent upon the free world to stand with Ukraine and support all its military and political needs while not getting bogged down with claims of corruption. All countries, the United States included, suffer from corruption.

As former prime minister of the United Kingdon Boris Johnson declared “What the hell are we waiting for?” Johnson called on the U.K. to provide howitzers and Storm Shadow cruise missiles and “as much help as we can give them with drone technology.”

Johnson, who is regarded as a cult figure in war-torn Ukraine, respected for his steadfast support of its fight to repel russia’s brutal invasion, wrote in an article in the Spectator that Ukrainians did not want warm words but “weaponry to finish the job – and so I simply do not understand why we keep dragging our feet.”

“Why are we always so slow?” he asked. “How can we look these men in the eye, and explain the delay? Throughout this war we have underestimated the Ukrainians and overestimated Putin, and we are doing the same today.”

Warning about what could happen if Ukraine would lose the war, Johnson said, “If Putin wins – and all he has to do, to claim a victory, is hang on to at least a chunk of the territory he has taken since 24 February 2022 – the dreadful message will go round the world: that this was the moment when the democracies pledged to stand up to the autocracies, and we flunked it. The story of Ukraine will be of lion-hearted Ukrainian troops finally betrayed by western loss of nerve.”

Unconditional international support for Ukraine’s victory over russia is the only guarantee of global and regional peace and security. Russia upended the international security architecture that was established after World War II. It was built by the victorious allies after a long and bloody war against Nazi Germany, which is also the formula for success and peace today. Complete victory over russia will ensure the emergence of the right circumstances for rebuilding Ukraine and preserving that region of the world for generations to come.

The alternative, if russia would prevail in its war against Ukraine, would be fatal for humanity. Russia would secure dangerous allies such as Iran and North Korea. The Eastern European region, north of the Black Sea, would resemble the Middle East, where Muslim radicals periodically launch deadly missile attacks against Israel. Russia would successfully ride roughshod over developing countries in Africa and Asia. Ukraine would be the third bloody regional hotbed of regular russian attacks against unarmed civilians, sucking all democracies’ resources in the hope of containing a rabid belligerent country.

If the free world can muster the strength to halt russia’s war against Ukraine and allow Kyiv to defeat the aggressor-nation thereby allowing the world to return to a semblance of peaceful normality, then this week will surely be remembered in history as a time when dignity of captive nations and the free world was restored. 

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?