2021 military exercises close to the Russian border

If we were to get a wider perspective of the Russian's invasion of the East Ukraine's territories, we would need same information about the military drills held in 2021 on the Ukrainian territory by US and UK. 

In June 2021 US, UK, and Australia (which is not a NATO member), held naval exercises in the Black Sea and Southern Ukraine. One month later, The US, Poland, and Lithuania held another military exercise involving more than 1200 troops in West Ukraine. In addition, from 20th September to 1st October 2021 large scale war games with US, UK, and same NATO and Ukrainians troops took place close to the Belarus border. 

As it is known, Since early 1990s Ukraine has been a buffer state between Westerners and Russia. On the other hand, according to a core principle of international law, there is the right of people to decide their own destiny in the international order (principle of self-determination). That's why it's not easy to say who is right. Obviously, that has nothing to do with shellings of residential neighborhoods, railway stations and hospitals, as we have already seen in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, etc.   

Since Ukraine war began in late February, Russians have been knoking on Finland's door. In this viewpoint, the geopolitical neutral Scandinavian country was recently hit by two cyberattacks and an airspace violation by a Russian plane. If Finland's people or policy-makers of Finland try to join NATO, it would be a strategic mistake. Finland has been successfully developing economic ties with both Russia and EU. I think it would be a terrible mess for the Finnish people. 

Down the war path

I think we can not see the war in Ukraine as an isolated event.  Instead we should also look the conflict in East Europe as an integral part of a geopolitical strategy,  due to the fact that some countries are fanning its fire by applying political and economic tools. And while the Ukrainian President is still looking for partners who will give him weapons and more military assistance, the sanctions will severely damage the economy of many countries. 

In an interesting article published two days ago by an Indian news network, the author, Palki Sharma, explains three main mistakes made by the Ukraine President. According to the Indian journalist, Mr. Zelensky over-stimated Western support. In addition, he misread Ukraine importance to the Western countries. And last but not least, the Ukrainian President also misread Putin's intent to invade his country.

On the 1st of September 2021, Mr. Zelensky publicly said he thought the US President, Biden, would personally support Ukraine with regards to NATO membership. In April 2021 Zelensky seemed very confident in US & EU support due to the fact that his country would never be alone against Russian aggression.

But this doesn't mean that Western countries led Ukraine down the war path.

I do hope Russian invasion will go to an end soon!

Still room for negotiation

The Ukrainian President, Zelenskij, recently urged the EU to "prove that you are with us" in Ukraine war with Russia. As it is known, the German carmaker Volkswagen has two factories and around 4,000 employees in Russia. ENI, the Italian multinational oil and gas company, and the Russian company Gazprom  have 50% each in the Blue Stream gas pipeline to Turkey. The Norwegian company Equinor has minority stakes in three Russian oilfields. The French carmaker Renault makes 8% of its earnings in Russia (source: Citibank).

In this context, how can the Ukrainian President be so naive? Does he really think that the EU may help his country? I hope the diplomacy will be able to do a good job. There is still room for a good negotiation! It is not too late!

Civilians in the outskirts of Kyiv

If Ukraine (or Georgia) were to join NATO, other countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakistan, Uzbekistan, etc. would join NATO soon. That's why Mr. Putin can't tolerate such considerable geopolitical problem, as Russia would be surrounded by many NATO countries.

Unfortunately, when two groups don't deal about something the solution is war. But I accept military against military in war field. Those who are not fighting should not be attacked as this violate their human rights. 

Thank you to Willie, a dear blogging friend from the UK, as he sent me the powerful image above.

Land of the free

In November 2021 Angelique Coetzee, a South African Doctor, discovered the Omicron Covid-19 strain. She said that same European governments pressured her not to reveal publicly that Omicron was a mild illness. They asked her to say that it was a serious illness. She declined! Dr. Angelique Coetzee answered: "In South Africa Omicron is a mild illness, but in Europe it is a very serious one. That's what your politicians wanted to hear". 

https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus236780035/Omikron-Entdeckerin-Man-wird-mich-nicht-zum-Schweigen-bringen.html?

Never has there been a time that each and every one of us must let our voices be heard to defend our right to freedom. It's easy to see that many governments around the world are threatening with a complete disregard of laws and constitutional principles. Why are those governments forcing people to sign a piece of paper where it is written down in black and white that they didn't force them? People will not and should not undergo passively this abuse. Why are they using the tools of cowards? Those are the exact same methods of the organized crime: "pay or we burn down your home". It is called extortion!

Some people have doubt! I think people have an entitlement and freedom of choice, without bullying and harassment, blackmail, and threatening to take the job away. Not to mention of social life. Many people say no to the discrimination towards those of us who wants their free choice of not being vaccinated.

France, US, Italy, Greece, Austria, Luxembourg, etc. ... that's the land of the free. Land of the free!

Vaccine coercion activists

 

It is interesting what the French virologist, 2008 Nobel Prize Luc Montagnier, said when he was in Italy later last month. He said powerful and shocking things that it will be difficult for the propaganda to continuing to lie. The Nobel laureate did not say vaccine would kill people in two years. Luc Montaigner said the vaccine is "creating the variants". 

There is evidence that vaccine coercition activists are using the fake statement attribuited to Luc Montaigner and other scientists to discredit their valid scientific observations about the vaccine being the root cause of the variants. In this context, the problem is that many people lose their critical thinking due to the fact that fake statements continue to spread.

It is also interesting how many politicians, mainly in Western countries, say the same thing: "we are going to make unvaccinated life miserable". It is easy to see just that they have the same idea and even the same phrases.

$ 92 a barrel ... until now

If the geopolitical clouds of uncertainty, that we have over East Europe, were to materialize, they would certainly have an impact on energy prices. And there are risk and uncertainty due to the fact that incresead cost of energy may affect the whole structure of prices.

Actually, a conflict between Russia and Ukraine would have the potential to drive oil & gas prices much higher. There is a very good chance crude oil would reach $ 100 a barrel. It remains to be seen whether EU countries could handle shortfall in gas if Russia were to halt supplies.

In the meantime, it seems that Russia could be binding its time to launch an invasion to Ukraine until after Beijing Winter Games, as China is an important ally on the Eurasian continent. Russia doesn't risk its good relation with China.