A cold war

The US is sending troops to Europe and the EU starts defusing the disinformation campaign spawned by Russia. Meanwhile, the NY Times is keeping tabs on the deepening rift between the US and Russia while Putin sidles up to Xi in Beijing. 

Can't we just revel in the Olympics and start living with Covid instead of worrying about WWIII. Perhaps the chicken found infiltrating the Pentagon will be tried for spying. That will take our minds off things. 

Putin's lies and promises

Yesterday, Putin promised that the Ukrainian troops surrounded by Russian troops in Ukraine could retreat through a safe passage corridor. They were then slaughtered as they carried white flags. Putin lied.  We all know he does. That was a war crime.  Putin must be brought to justice.

Is Putin Ukraine's unintentional nationalist?

Dealing with explosive potential

Mr. Putin has been looking for another excuse to invade Ukraine for some time. When President Poroshenko announced that he was ending the 10-day unilateral cease fire with the rebels since they had not abided by it, Putin stated on television that Russia would be responding to this lack of regard for peaceful resolution, suggesting that he had the backing of the EU leaders. Putin does not have the backing of the EU; their leaders are simply unwilling to take a stronger stand against him. Now that Ukraine has signed a trade agreement with the EU, however, Putin does not have much wiggle room. I was worried that there was explosive potential and that he'd invade, but now I am not so sure that he won't retreat.

Ukraine joins the EC!

A Historic Day for Ukraine 

As Ukraine draws closer to the EU amid protests from Russia and an expiring cease-fire with separatists, hope wells up that President Petro Poroshenko can really make a difference.  I have been silent since May, watching along with the rest of the world to see if our fragile sovereign nation could hold itself together, free of Russian influence. Today, just about an hour ago, President Poroshenko signed an agreement that aligns Ukraine with Europe instead of Asia, with the west instead of the east. And it appears that Putin is looking for a way out. Let's hope he finds a reasonable one.

Look them in the eye and tell Ukraine she is on her own. Or not.

Western sanctions and anti-Russian rhetoric may have little meaning and effect...the answer may lie in China. 

I have been watching, like many Ukrainians in the diaspora, and waiting to see how things will unfold after the Russian annexation of Crimea. I cringed when the un-Russian troops marched into the Ukrainian barracks and marched the bewildered Ukrainian soldiers out, taking the Commander, Admiral Serhiy Haiduk, away as hostage. The Russians released him Thursday as they ousted Ukrainian forces from bases around Crimea.