Munich Security Conference

VP Kamala Harris delivers a speech to the Conference. "Today I will deliver remarks at the Munich Security Conference on how the United States, our allies, and our partners are demonstrating strength and unity in the face of Russian aggression."

She was clear, concise and direct. She was accompanied by a bipartisan team from Congress to uphold the US commitment to Ukraine. She did so out of duty and responsibility representing the United States and NATO.

"We are 1) exposing the truth and 2) speaking with one voice."

"Their actions simply do not match their words."

"Everyone knows it takes much more to build something up than to tear it down."  

- Madam Vice President

This taking place as news media report escalating fighting in the East, Russian troop movements along the borders and Putin supervising a nuclear exercise.

Be afraid

A map shows the Russia build-up near the Ukraine border.

Today, what it means to be Ukrainian is to be afraid. It has been clear for some time that Putin is going to invade Ukraine. He took Crimea to have a Black Sea Port. He marched into Donbas to get a foothold and an excuse to rescue the Russain-speakers. He caused trouble in Byelorus to wag the dog. He sent troops to Kazakhstan on a peacekeeping mission. Except Russia is notorious for sending in troops under the guise of peacekeeping that continue on to establish a permanent presence in the host countries. He has warned that Ukraine may not join NATO and the US and EU should not interfere. 

Today, he mounted a cyberattack on Ukraine's government computer systems. More troops are massing on the northern and southern borders now. 

And the US has accused Russia of sending saboteurs into Ukraine to stage “a false-flag operation” that would create a pretext for Moscow to invade. That's his style. A Russian analyst says Ukraine is Putin's last stand in keeping NATO away from its borders. 

Russia's Hybrid War on Europe

 

From the Telegraph

The Telegraph newspaper printed a feature today about how Putin has unleashed a 'hybrid war' on Europe, pretty much what I said yesterday. They made the point that Belarus, the test of weapons in space, the amassing of troops on the Ukraine border and the reopening of negotiations on nuclear proliferation are not separate events but part of one big strategy to split the attention of European nations and NATO. 

"How Russia's 'hybrid war' was finally unleashed on Europe

Commentators have warned for years that Russia was planning to use various methods, as well as the threat of conventional war, to undermine the West. 

Recent weeks have proven those predictions true. These are the main flashpoints in the ongoing, multi-front struggle.

Photo via @TelegraphWorld"

Discussion with astronauts on the ISS who had to shelter while passing through a debris field created by a Russian weapons test. 

Russia preparing to invade Ukraine

Satellite photo shows ground forces massing in Yelnya, Russia
November 1, 2021. Pic: Maxar /Reuters

Tanks near border

Russia is massing troops (100,000) near Ukraine's border and wagging the dog with migrants in Belarus. Macron tells Putin France is ready to defend Ukraine's 'territorial integrity', the US has delivered 80 tons of munitions to Ukraine, Sweden is ready to send a military training mission to Ukraine. Johnson wants the EU to choose between Ukraine and the gas pipeline (WTF????).

"U.S. officials warn Europe: Russia may be weighing an invasion of Ukraine" (Bloomberg) "Blinken Warns Russia Against Making a ‘Serious Mistake’ in Ukraine" NYT

"France told Russia NATO would be prepared to defend the sovereignty of Ukraine, while Western leaders sought to tackle a migrants crisis on the eastern borders of the European Union."

"Alors que les tensions entre la Russie et l'Europe semblent plus proches que jamais du point de rupture, les États-Unis ont livré 80 tonnes de munitions à l'Ukraine."

"JUST NU: Försvarsminister Peter Hultqvist (S) beredd att skicka svensk militär till Ukraina samtidigt som Ryssland rustar vid gränsen. Säger ja till förslag att träna ukrainska trupper." https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/forsva

"Boris Johnson warns EU to choose between Ukraine and Nord Stream 2" FT

"Nord Stream 2: Germany halts approval of Russian gas link" BBC

Is this the moment the next WW is triggered? Just what we need: a pandemic, a climate crisis and a world war.  Oh yes, add pestilence to the list because scorpions stung more than 500 people in Egypt after massive rainstorms flooded their homes. 

The speculation is that Russia needs to establish a land bridge to Crimea and that they plan to take that corridor forcibly. Noone has mentioned if they have moved any ships into position yet. 

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.

Russian troops aren't lost, they are on holidays in Ukraine!

The Russian troops taken prisoner by the Ukrainian military were supposedly on maneuvers when they accidentally crossed the border into Ukraine.  Putin said it was Ukraine's fault that there was an unguarded border crossing allowing them to get lost...in rebel held territory. Today Canada tweeted a a lovely snide posting of a map to help guide the Russian troops in case they get lost, which immediately went viral.  Thanks @Canada.