Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Is this confirmed news on the official Swedish government's position or just the usual noise fro Erdoghan?

From Swedish newspaper

SWEDEN'S NATO APPLICATION

The National Prosecutor:
Two on the list of demands must not be expelled
The Swedish public prosecutor says no in a statement to the High Court until the release of two of the persons that Turkey demands to be released in order to approve Sweden's NATO application, Expressen reports.

Among other things, the two men are said to have downloaded the encrypted mobile app Bylock, which is linked to the Gülen movement, which is classified as a terrorist by Turkey, which the public prosecutor believes is not criminal in Sweden.

The public prosecutor considers that the men have not committed a crime under Swedish law and that both risk prosecution in their home country. The National Prosecutor also does not consider that court proceedings are necessary.

So as I see it...Turkey are going to prevent Sweden from becoming a member of NATO.

Found an English Article about it

https://news.am/eng/news/734053.html

Markus

Markus

[Skybird]

So its nevertheless no decision of the government to withdraw its bid for membership.

Erdoghan will do what Erdoghan will do. He may or ma ynot chnage his mind, in pricniple he gambles, there are upcomign elections. He also threatened yesterday to fire missiles into Athens. He threatened to invade Greek islands in the Aegean. He talks nationalistic garbage all day long.

There are two very big security threats now in NATO. Germany, and Turkey.

The rest of NATO should do like it does with Ukraine: deal with Finland and Sweden as if they already were members. Cooperation is very close already anyway. Let the Turks cry to the moon, who cares.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Skybird

So its nevertheless no decision of the government to withdraw its bid for membership.

Erdoghan will do what Erdoghan will do. He may or ma ynot chnage his mind, in pricniple he gambles, there are upcomign elections. He also threatened yesterday to fire missiles into Athens. He threatened to invade Greek islands in the Aegean. He talks nationalistic garbage all day long.

There are two very big security threats now in NATO. Germany, and Turkey.

The rest of NATO should do like it does with Ukraine: deal with Finland and Sweden as if they already were members. Cooperation is very close already anyway. Let the Turks cry to the moon, who cares.

Oh I can see I have given the impression that it was the Swedish government who had withdrawn its bid...

I was sitting with my back to the TV when I heard in the Swedish news that the General attorney would not send these two person to Turkey.

It was then I said to myself aha there goes the Swedish membership..

You know Sweden have fulfilled almost 80-90 % of what Erdogan have demanded from Sweden from the list he made.

Markus

[Rockstar]

Speaking of Turkey thought ya’all might appreciate this average infantryman’s opinion

[Catfish]

^ I'd rather describe Erdoghan as a loose cannon on deck than a "wildcard" .
Seriously, threatening another Nato partner (Greece) with missiles

Of course he wants to be friend with Russia so the latter kills all the Kurds and solves the problem he has with terrorists/freedom fighters challenging his position.
Maybe easier to make Erdoghan go?

[Jimbuna]

Putin cancels annual conference for first time in 17 years as coup and health claims swirl

Vladimir Putin has pulled out of his "giant end of year press conference" this year, a Kremlin official has revealed, sparking rumours that he is "critically unwell". The Russian leader has held an annual press conference in December every year since 2012, with Russian news agency Tass reporting last year that it was the 17th time Putin had held the conference. On Monday, however, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that there will "not be a press conference before the New Year".

A report from The Sun questioned whether the Russian autocrat had withdrawn from the conference due to poor health.

In an article on Monday, they wrote that Putin was "battling cancer" and "faces a coup over Ukraine", adding that he was "critically unwell".

In November, the media reported that the press conference for this year had not been prepared but it had not been cancelled.

One of the reasons for the cancellation, as the media has now reported, was the "situation at the contact line".

One of the reasons for the cancellation, as the media has now reported, was the "situation at the contact line".

While Putin is not officially in charge of the war effort in Ukraine, which he calls a "special military operation", reports have suggested he is making direct decisions, such as the continued assault in Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast.

And social media users have taken the opportunity to throw punches at the Russian leader.

One user wrote: "Mind you, it's in DECEMBER! He knows that however bad it is, in weeks, it will be much, much worse."

One Twitter user said: "It'd be great if he could also cancel himself", while another asked if the leader was "too scared to leave his bunker".

There is growing dissatisfaction with the war effort in Russia, particularly following the autocrat's announcement of mass mobilisation in September.

Thousands of Russians fled the country following the announcement in a bid to avoid being called up.

The Finnish borders were forced to temporarily stop allowing holidaying Russians across the border, so seismic was the exodus.

And discontent with the "special military operation" extended beyond the public, affecting the Kremlin itself.

The likes of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov have spoken publicly against defence minister Sergei Shoigu and his fellow war leader Sergei Surovikin.

Vladimir Putin believed the "special military operation" in Ukraine would be concluded in a matter of days.

However, as the conflict nears its tenth month,, the scale of Russian losses is closing in on 100,000 soldiers.

The prospect of an annual closing press conference might now appear uninviting to the Russian President.

Fighting on the frontlines continues to be fierce but Ukrainian forces look set to advance towards Crimea, the loss of which would be a major humiliation for Putin.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...19dc54bd9a2013

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

We will bring Putin to justice, - statement of G7

The leaders of the "Big Seven" have announced that they will bring Russian dictator Putin to justice for his war against Ukraine.

As reported by Censor.NET, this is stated in the joint statement of the G7 heads of state.

"War crimes and other atrocities cannot go unpunished. We will bring President Putin and those responsible to justice under international law. We reiterate that Russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable and that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons will have serious consequences," the statement said.

G7 leaders stressed that Russia will have to pay to rebuild critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed by its brutal war.

Also, the heads of states of the G7 declared unwavering support for Ukraine as long as it is needed.

"Russia's war of aggression must end. To date, we have seen no evidence that Russia is committed to sustained peace efforts. Russia can end this war immediately by ceasing its attacks against Ukraine and fully and unconditionally withdrawing its troops from Ukrainian territory.

We welcome and support President Zelensky's initiative for a just peace," the G7 added. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386667

Another 8 ships with 238.6 thousand tons of agricultural products for countries of Asia and Europe left ports of Odesa. PHOTOS

As part of the "Grain Initiative", 8 ships with 238.6 thousand tons of agricultural products left the ports of Odesa for Asia and Europe.

This was reported by the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine on Telegram, Censor.NET reports.

It is noted that currently 23 vessels are being processed in the ports of Odesa. 690,000 tons of Ukrainian agricultural products are loaded onto them.

Since August 1, 550 ships have left the ports of Odesa, exporting 13.8 million tons of Ukrainian food to the countries of Asia, Europe, and Africa. Source: https://censor.net/en/p3386672

[Jimbuna]

Shmyhal discussed with head of IAEA Grossi demilitarization of ZNPP and sending of permanent missions to all nuclear plants in Ukraine. PHOTO

Demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhhia NPP is point 1 of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan. This issue was discussed by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal with the head of the IAEA, Raphael Grossi, during a meeting in Paris.

Shmyhal reported this on Facebook, Censor.NET informs.

"Rafael Grossi said that in the near future the IAEA will send technical permanent missions to all nuclear plants in Ukraine.
The organization's independent experts will work at the Zaporizhzhia, Rivne, Khmelnytsky, South Ukrainian, and Chornobyl NPPs. This will significantly increase technical and technological safety," the message reads.

According to Shmyhal, the missions are aimed at securing the stations and recording all possible attempts of external influence, in particular shelling by the Russian aggressor.

"They discussed the steps necessary for the demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. He emphasized that it is necessary to stop Russia's illegal actions regarding the Ukrainian plant as soon as possible," Shmyhal adds. Source: https://censor.net/en/p3386673

Zelensky calls for EU missions to be sent to critical energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, calls on the European Union, by analogy with the permanent observation missions of the IAEA to all Ukrainian nuclear power plants, to send special missions to the objects of critical energy infrastructure, which are involved in the energy supply of Ukraine.

Zelensky said this at the international conference "Solidarity with the Ukrainian People" in Paris on Tuesday, Censor.NET informs with reference to "Interfax-Ukraine".

"Such EU missions can become a factor in stabilizing the situation and proper international control," the head of state said.

He emphasized that the stability of "our entire energy region" directly depends on these facilities.

As Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal previously noted, as a result of eight waves of Russian missile strikes, which also used kamikaze drones, all thermal and hydroelectric power plants in the country were damaged, as well as about 40% of high-voltage network facilities. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386687

[Jimbuna]

We have to help Ukrainian people to endure and survive this winter, - Macron

Ukraine needs to be helped to survive the winter, the help should be very prompt and concrete.

This was reported by French President Emmanuel Macron, Censor.NET reports with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, now, "first of all, we have to understand that we have to help the Ukrainian people to endure."

"We need to help Ukraine survive this winter... We want the results of the conference (International Conference on Solidarity with the People of Ukraine. - Ed.) to be very concrete," the French leader emphasized.

Macron explained that the conference will be about "mobilizing partners, friends of Ukraine and those who work in international humanitarian organizations, about organizing actions that will help the population get water, electricity, heat, clothes."

He also expressed hope that "our efforts will be at their best and we will help you survive the winter."

"Secondly, Volodymyr, we must together ensure that our assistance is very operational, concrete, and fast-acting...We need to have concrete answers, for this we need to coordinate very closely, and in each country there must be precise contacts to coordinate and help Ukraine arrive when needed," Macron said, addressing President Zelensky.

In addition, he noted that he had already told the Ukrainian government that more than 700 French companies would participate in long-term investments in Ukraine. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386688

There is no question of withdrawing troops from Ukraine by end of year, - Peskov

There is no question that Russia can start withdrawing troops from Ukraine by the end of this year.

This was stated by Putin's spokesman Dmytro Peskov, Censor.NET reports with reference to Interfax.

He was asked to comment on President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal that Russia should start withdrawing troops from Ukraine before Christmas.

"This is out of the question," Peskov said. He explained that "the Ukrainian side needs to accept the realities that have developed over all this time."

"These are the realities that happened because of that line, that policy, which was carried out during the last fifteen or even twenty years by the leadership of Ukraine and today's Ukrainian regime," Peskov continued.

According to him, "these realities indicate that new subjects have appeared in the Russian Federation, they appeared as a result of referendums held in these territories."

"Without taking these new realities into account, any progress is impossible," Peskov concluded.

Also remind, that earlier Zelensky suggested that Russia begin the withdrawal of troops from the territory of Ukraine on Christmas. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386697

[Jimbuna]

Lukashenko instructed to start sudden check of combat readiness of Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus

Belarusian dictator Oleksandr Lukashenko instructed to start a sudden check of the combat readiness of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Censor.NET informs about this with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus.

"By order of the President of the Republic of Belarus - the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus under the leadership of the State Secretariat of the Security Council, a sudden check of combat readiness has been launched," the message reads.

It is noted that the measures will have a complex nature, the troops must advance to the designated areas as soon as possible, implement their engineering equipment, organize security and defense, and also establish bridge crossings over the Niman and Berezina rivers.

"У цей період заплановано пересування військової техніки та особового складу, тимчасове обмеження руху громадян (транспорту) окремими дорогами загального користування та ділянками місцевості", - додали в Міноборони РБ.

The "Belarusian Hajun" monitoring group noted that the Niman and Berezina rivers are not near the border with Ukraine.

"The Niman flows in the northwestern part of the country, in the territories of Minsk and Grodno regions, and then goes to Lithuania. The Berezyna River is located entirely on the territory of Belarus and flows in 4 regions: Vitebsk, Minsk, Mogilev, and Gomel. The nearest point of this "The distance of the river to the border with Ukraine is its mouth, which is located in the village of Berehova Sloboda (Rechytsky District, Gomel Oblast). And even from that point, it is at least 80 km to the border with Ukraine," Belarusian Hajun explained.

They also published a map with the approximate location of rivers in the territory of Belarus and marked the landfills that are located nearby. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386645

[Jimbuna]

Plans to supply Patriot air defense systems from USA to Ukraine are now in final stage - CNN

The United States is finalizing plans to supply Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. The transfer may be announced this week.

As reports Censor.NЕТ, this is stated by RBC-Ukraine with reference to СNN.

According to the publication, several US officials confirm that plans for the supply are in the final stages.

CNN notes that the plan still has to be approved by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before it is sent to US President Joe Biden for signature.

"Three officials said that approval is expected," the publication emphasizes.

It is unclear exactly how many units the US plans to transfer to Ukraine, but the standard Patriot battery includes a radar system that detects and tracks targets, computers, power generating equipment, a combat control station and up to eight launchers, each of which contains four ready-to-fire missiles. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386808

Britain will provide Ukraine with 125 anti-aircraft guns

Britain has announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine in the amount of 50 million pounds.

According to Censor.NЕТ, this was stated in Twitter of of the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ukrainian military will receive 125 anti-aircraft guns and devices to counter kamikaze drones.

"The £50 million defence aid package includes 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly drones supplied by Iran, including dozens of radars and electronic warfare equipment," the statement said.

On December 12, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said that the UK may reconsider refusing to supply Ukraine with longer-range weapons if Russia continues to shoot at civilian infrastructure. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3386774

[Skybird]

FOCUS writes:
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Scholz opens a dangerous backdoor for Russia

In his recent government statement, Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned "imperialist" and aggressive Russia, with which trade relations no longer exist. Now, just a little later, the same Scholz says there could be trade relations with Russia again after the Ukraine war. How does that fit together?

You have to look at the place where Scholz spoke of cooperation with a country that Ukrainian President Volodomyr Selensky, like the European Parliament, classifies as a "terrorist" or "terrorist state." It was the East Committee of German Business, which is not to be offended if one understands it as the inventor of the later Social Democratic policy on Russia.

Change through trade was the doctrine

In 1970, the natural gas pipe deal was signed in Essen - Mannesmann supplies pipes through which Russian gas then flows to Germany, especially to its then still industrial powerhouse - the heavily industrial Ruhr area.  "If we connect through a gas pipeline, the political landscape in the Soviet Union will change for the better." So said the then chairman of the Ostausschuss, Otto Wolff von Amerongen.

Change through trade, that was the doctrine from now on. Business had invented it, first the Ruhr patron Bertold Beitz, followed by politics. The SPD's Russia doctrine cannot be explained without the pioneering role of the Ruhr industry. That it was invented in the Ruhr is no coincidence - here the Social Democrats ruled for 39 years straight - in a de facto grand coalition with industrialists and trade unions.

Change through trade - it never worked at any time. It was an illusion - at least. Rather, it was the legitimization of the business bosses to make fat deals with the Soviet dictatorship, unchallenged by politics, later even encouraged by it - the Social Democrats above all.

Signal of the Chancellor to Russia

And it was in front of this institution that the Social Democratic Chancellor now used his 70th anniversary speech to send this signal to industry: after the end of the war, Russia was still the greatest country on earth.

Scholz's green coalition partner wants nothing more to do with it. If the energy turnaround works, Germany will no longer need Russian gas, explains German Economics Minister Robert Habeck. And if the energy transition doesn't work? Then it won't either. Then the gas will come from Norway, Qatar and the USA, the world champion in fracking. Fracking is a technology that the Greens deplore, but only domestically.

Scholz's backdoor policy toward Russia is matched by the fact that the chancellor is not changing his weapons policy. Anti-aircraft guns and cheetah tanks - yes, more of them, too - but no leopards and no martens, either. "Mr. Scholz, what are you waiting for?" shouted former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh-Rasmussen at the SPD man.

Green man and FDP woman drive the chancellor

Scholz can still ignore the NATO ex. This becomes more difficult with the same voices from his own traffic light coalition. After a visit to the U.S., the chairwoman of the defense committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, says into every microphone how much her American interlocutors want Leo-Zwo deliveries to Ukraine.

Toni Hofreiter of the Green Party is also there again. He would like Germany to coordinate Leo deliveries from those 20 EU countries that are currently using it. In Ukraine, the ground is freezing at the moment, and delivering armored vehicles now would be just the thing. Scholz had already been too late once, with the "heavy weapons" that he refused to supply to Ukraine for a long time. That should not happen again, said the FDP expert from Düsseldorf.

Especially since Scholz has meanwhile taken his most important argument against further arms deliveries out of play himself. The Russians themselves, but above all the Chinese, have signed a summit declaration according to which not even threats of nuclear strikes are to be accepted.

Praise for Scholz from new ambassador

After the return of its ambassador Andrij Melnyk, Ukraine is now trying diplomacy as it is known. Ukraine is still asking for more and more weapons, but now it is thanking Scholz for what he has already delivered. And the new ambassador, Oleksij Makeiev, attests to Germany's "leadership role", which Scholz takes for granted - although the chancellor was alone in this internationally. It will be interesting to see what works better: A diplomacy of bad conscience plus name-calling or one of interest politics plus compliments.


The Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, long the Russia lobby par excellence, has since changed course. They are now concerned with the reconstruction of Ukraine and the development of new trading partners from the defunct Soviet empire - including Tashikistan. Finally, Scholz has already announced a "Marshall Plan" for Ukrainian reconstruction, which is also only in question if Ukraine passes on it.
There are hard economic and political interests at stake

Today there is a big donor conference, Scholz is going there, Selensky will be connected. Toasted by France's President Emanuel Macron, who has, originally, followed up with an all-French conference. With the crème de la crème of French industry. It's all about the Scholz Marshall Plan.

Macron wants to get as much as possible from it, which contrasts asymmetrically with France's aid to Ukraine to date. This is modest, and Macron's initiative can be seen as doubly selfish: The costs of the Russian bombardment are to be socialized at an international donor conference, while the profits from the subsequent reconstruction are to be privatized, or more precisely, nationalized.

So anyone who believes that this is primarily about human rights is naive. It is about hard economic and political interests. The Americans, Joe Biden has even said it publicly, want to keep a visibly weakened Russia down. The French, Macron in the lead, want to make money in Ukraine. And the Germans?

They don't really know yet.
-----------------------------------

[Catfish]

^ Scholz will never learn or accept that he is wrong since decades, he has to go.