And as if this is not bad enough for Hungary, it is heading into recession, making it with Russia the only two countries in Europe with a projected negative growth for 2023. Fitting.. #Hungary#Russia intellinews.com/about/
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After watching the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting in whole, I’m feeling prepared to comment on it in a proper way.
Long thread incoming:
(1/7)
While the discussion was weirdly enough quite long for a press conference, it was rather civil. It was Vance‘s interjection which didn’t fit at all to the overall conversation and came almost out of the blue, crashing the situation for no good reason, especially with his weird „you are not thankful enough“ BS. The peak was when President Zelenskyy calmly asked him about the problems in Ukraine, which Vance basically responded with that he watched it on TV. This was the final dead giveaway of his manufactured outrage. He was easily outsmarted by President Zelenskyy, got louder and angrier, and at this point only repeated himself, until Trump moved in and completed that disaster.
(2/7)
For those saying that President Zelenskyy just should have been silent, I disagree with for a simple reason. Ukraine did this in the past more than once. This was about the vital question of security guarantees. This key component as seen in Minsk 1 and Minsk 2 (and btw. even in the Astana agreement in reference to Syria) was missing in all previous failed attempts, and directly contributed in the lack of achieving even a stable ceasefire, let alone peace. This is not a minor detail or technicality. It is the key feature between lasting ceasefire or not. Russia only responds to force and no deal will ever be sufficient in deterring Russia. The pile of failed deals with Russia is only exceeded by the piles of bodies being victim of them. Only force and credible deterrent will ensure meta-stable conditions. You cannot blank it out or postpone it. (3/7)
On February 24, 2022, exactly 1000 days ago Russia launched the full-scale war against Ukraine, a war which in fact started in February 2014 with the occupation and annexation of Crimea. Looking back, let is review what strategic goals Russia has (not) achieved. I summarized 10 objectives which were laid out during but also during the full scale war.
Thread:
Objective 1: Conquering Kyiv
The takeover of Gostomel airport near Kyiv was crucial for a swift takeover of Ukraine's capital and by extension the country altogether. The conscripts defending the airport, however, delayed the Russian advance of Russian VDV paratroopers long enough and blocked the runway so that no Russian reinforcements could arrive on time.
Ukrainian elite formations could establish defense perimeters around the Ukrainian capital and eventually drove the invasion back. During this process, massive amounts of Russian equipment have been taken, which will play a crucial role for the coming months and years.
Result: Decisive Russian failure
Objective 2: Toppling or at least expelling the Ukrainian government and installing a puppet regime.
The takeover of Kyiv aimed to install a puppet regime similar to Belarus. It supposed to be headed by Medvedchuk. Due to the failed takeover of Kyiv but also unwillingness of the Ukrainian government to give up the capital and especially the people on the streets, the Ukrainian government and statehood has remained intact.
Finland, a country with a long border with Russia and in striking distance to crucial Russian bases such as Murmansk naval port, Olenya air base or even Sankt Petersburg, joint NATO in 2023, but no Russian missiles or drones hit the country when it announced that it wants to join the alliance. (1/5)
Finland is the living proof for several facts:
1. Russia is not threatened by NATO. Moscow itself claimed it has "no problems Finland being NATO member"
2. If you have a strong military, Russia is deterred
3. Russia never honor treaties, only strength
4. Shared security (NATO) is essential
(2/5)
Russian excuses why they attack nations are redundant and lies. It is not about them. It is about imperial Russia. Russia is the bully which is always jealous and brutal. It is an entity where people leave in droves, where cities are decaying and life span is short. (3/5)
Putin is the biggest loser of the last 10 years and here is my list of reasons why. Let me elaborate:
1.) 2013/2014 Putin tried to install Janukovic as a puppet dictator in Ukraine, similar to Lukashenko in Belarus. His scheme fell apart and Janukovic was fleeing shortly later.
Putin failed.
2.) 2014 Putin tried to take the Donbas and to expel the Ukrainian army by using Russian troops disguised as rebels. The Ukrainian army came back, destroyed most of those elements and established a contact line.
Putin failed.
3.) During the Minsk 1/2 talks, Putin tried to carve the eastern regions out from the Ukrainian state. Ukrainians resisted that trap.
This isn’t Putin and the buildings which have been already geolocated are not the base. It is a decoy, the man and the base. #Kherson#Ukraine
The Russian army is one of the dumbest armies in the world, but even they wouldn't allow to have taken pictures that way. This very distinct water tower can be easily concealed when recording in a different angle.
They wanted us to geolocate this location.
What's more interesting is the effort Russians have put to mask that room. I think this is a windowless storage room.
You might have never heard of cities called "Khaishenvai", "Boli" or "Shuangchenzi" as well as the island of "Quedao", because that are the official names according the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources for Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Ussuriysk and Sakhalin, "newly" introduced.
I cannot say that I'm surprised, aside that it happens a earlier.
When you look into (Chinese) history you will find the chapter of "Unequal Treaties" where parts of China were carved out and integrated into imperial powers, e.g. Britain, Germany, France, Japan and...Russia.
All imperial powers have left China (feudal borders) some time ago - Portugal in Macao was the last - except for one:
Russia
Of course you will not find any discussion regarding this in China, for political reasons, yet, but the sentiment never disappeared.