1. Ukraine must win but Ukraine should define the contours of this victory, not the US. Government and people should decide which outcome of war they wll accept. We will support this decision.
2. We always acknowedged Crimea as Ukraine. But the decision to liberate occupied territories, including Crimea, lies with Ukraine. We want Ukraine to win this war.
3. Weapon supplies to Ukraine from the US has changed because circumstances on the battlefield changed. Ukrainian troops need training to use some new weapons, this takes time. US has no limits for allied countries supplying weapons, e.g. planes. Just get them across the border.
4. Putin's mentions of nuclear weapons are completely irresponible. This is also in conflict with russia's own policy on the principles of using nuclear weapons.
5. On Ukraine and NATO within the context of Finland's and Sweden's quick entry: so Ukraine like any other country doesn't have to receive the Action Plan about entry and fulfill it in case it fulfills most of the requirements in general.
6. 🇺🇦 is supported by absolute majority of all Congress members. For today's 🇺🇸 politics such support is unique. Very few of those who disagree in Congress, none in the government. American administration fully suppports Ukraine.
1/4Yesterday 🇷🇺 announced that #Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant would be rerouted to supply energy to russia, and Ukraine could buy energy from it if we wanted. #UkraineUnderAttack
2/4 This power plant is largest in Europe, and supplies 20% of Ukrainian electricity. Russia's statements are a continuation of energy war.
3/4 Ukrenergo, regulating body in this area, replied that:
- The plant is in 🇺🇦 network and under control of 🇺🇦 specialists.
- UA energy system doesn't have physical connection with RU energy system, so no electricity supplies over there are physically possible at the moment
1/4 🧵Putin is not ready for negotiations. The only way to end this - is the 🇷🇺 army defeat. As for when they will be ready to accept it - I think, we need a few more months. #UkraineUnderAttaсk
2/4 Every week the desire to support the "special operation" among russians is going down. No one wants to die for Putin's insane ideas. The rupture in perception among the russians will come in July-August when the number of dead 🇷🇺 troops exceeds 50,000.
3/4 Sanctions against 🇷🇺 must get stronger. One of the ideas - to sanction Yedinaya Rossia (United Russia) members, recognize the party a criminal organization & ban all of its 144 members [in 🇷🇺Duma] from entering civilized world.
Some thoughts from an article "Why russia Will Lose the War" by Oleksander Shcherba @olex_scherba, Chief Advisor to Naftogaz CEO, diplomat.
1. putin has been preparing for this war for years. He wanted to make conquering Ukraine his main triumph. He amassed capital, raised hatred and chauvinism in russians and built up beliefs that Ukraine is waiting to be conquered.
2. When russians saw that Ukraine didn't want to be "liberated" and would put up a fight, they became disappointed and furious. This is why Bucha massacre happened, among many others.
1. "It will be difficult for Ukrainian economy to withstand a long war," - Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko.
Ukrainian GDP will shrink by almost half in 2022, by current estimates. We need about $5 billion each month to sustain expenses - supplied by other countries.
2. If war lasts more than another three or four months, very painful measures will need to be taken (drastic tax increases, spending cuts, maybe a wave of nationalization). This will undermine all the progress Ukraine has achieved in recent years in modernizing its economy.
3. There is a huge problem with transportation of crops. Ports are blocked, railroads and trucks cannot manage such a large amount for transportation. Each EU country must allow free access of UA trucks onto their territory or food shortages will become reality.
1/4 Transnistria is a Moldovan territory which has been occupied by russia for 30 years. But UN has officially recognized it as such on 15th March 2022, after russian full scale invasion to Ukraine. #UkraineRussianWar#UkraineUnderAttaсk
2/4 🇷🇺 is currently trying to "heat up" atmosphere in Transnistria, threatening with alleged 🇺🇦 attacks (which, in fact, would be carried out by 🇷🇺 secret services) to justify military actions over there. 🇷🇺 ultimate goal is to cut off south of Odesa region from 🇺🇦 control.
3/4 Trasnistrian military formations are not very numerous, don't have a lot of weapons and experience. There is also a 🇷🇺 military group of up to 2,500 people who are guarding weapons warehouse. Men are fearing mobilization, so large numbers of people are now leaving the region
I would like to tell you a little more about the women who are now traveling to Turkey to try and save their men. Each post of this thread is a story of a family that is now in great danger of never seeing each other again. #SaveAzov#SaveAzovstal#AzovstalExtraction 👇
1.Olga Boiko, wife of Ievhen Kichkir, Senior Marine, 36th brigade: "Each of our men deserves to pick up his child again, hug his wife, see his Motherland. We believe that our Defenders will be able to get evacuation to a third country and stay safe there until the war is over."
2. Natalia Zarytska, wife of Bohdan Semenets, Azov Battallion: "My husband has served in Azov since 2019. We have been together for 3,5 years, and on 17th April 2022 we got married at Azovstal. Our son Sasha, 8, drew this plea when we hid from bombs in a basement."