Wednesday, March 09, 2022

Alexander Vindman: Ukraine Is “a Fight for the Future of the 21st Century” | Amanpour and Company

Mar 8, 2022 • Retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman joins Michel Martin today to discuss the current conflict in his homeland of Ukraine and his latest piece in Foreign Affairs Magazine, "America Must Do More to Help Ukraine Fight Russia." Vindman proposes a lend-lease program modeled on the one that provided arms and assistance to U.S. allies in Europe during WWII. He also discusses how Trump and the GOP empowered Putin, and what it is like to be sounding the alarm to no avail. Originally aired on March 8, 2022

Tuesday, March 08, 2022

"It's a Sign of Weakness" : Anderson Cooper on Putin's Law against Speaking the Truth in Russia

Mar 8, 2022 • Anderson Cooper joins us live from Lviv, Ukraine, and comments on Vladimir Putin's attempt to silence Russian opposition to his war and stifle reporting by news outlets like CNN.

Ukrainian Cities Brace for Possible Russian Assault | DW News

Mar 8, 2022 • An attempt to evacuate civilians from five Ukrainian cities seems to have largely failed. Moscow agreed to establish humanitarian corridors, but Ukraine claims Russian troops resumed shelling on the route leading away from the city of Mariupol.

Some residents of the northern city of Sumy have reportedly managed to flee. Ukraine's government shared this video, which shows Red Cross busses evacuating people before nightfall, when the ceasefire ends. Sumy has seen heavy civilian casualties. Local authorities say an airstrike last night killed at least 21 people.

Despite the increasing death toll, the Ukrainian military says that Russia is seeing major setbacks and its advance has slowed significantly.

DW speaks to Kira Rudyk, member of the Ukrainian Parliament.


Biden Bans Russian Oil Imports as Civilian Toll in Ukraine Grows

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The U.S. average gas price hit $4.17 per gallon. The Ukrainian president spoke to the British Parliament by telelink, as many of his people remained trapped in besieged cities. A humanitarian corridor allowed hundreds to escape one city.

A Ukrainian soldier who died in the battle against Russian forces was buried in Lviv on Tuesday. | Brendan Hoffman for The New York Times

Nearly two weeks into a grinding war that has denied Russia the quick victory it anticipated, the first enduring humanitarian corridor took hold in Ukraine on Tuesday as refugees across the country scrambled to flee, and President Biden raised the economic stakes for Moscow by banning the importation of Russian oil and natural gas into the United States.

Mr. Biden announced the latest sanctions against Russia on Tuesday morning, an escalation of economic penalties that could also have consequences at home and internationally.

The move shuts off the flow of Russian fuel into the United States and could raise gas prices, which have hit a national average of $4.17 per gallon, and further rattle global energy markets. In a coordinated move, Britain announced that it would phase out imports of Russian oil by the end of the year. The United States receives less than 10 percent of its energy resources from Russia.

In a speech streamed to a packed meeting of the British Parliament on Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine underlined his country’s challenges, making a comparison to Britain’s situation in World War II. “We do not want to lose what we have, what is ours, just in the same way as you didn’t want to lose your country,” he said. “The question for us is to be or not to be,” he added, invoking Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The answer, he said, is “yes, to be.”

Here are the latest developments: » | Dan Bilefsky | Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Wie die USA ohne Öl aus Russland zurechtkommen wollen: Joe Biden wagt des Balanceakt. Amerikas Präsident stoppt Öllieferungen aus Russland – und versucht die Benzinpreise niedrig zu halten. »

McDonald’s, Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Pepsi suspend Russian operations: ‘Our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine,’ says burger chain’s chief executive »

Zelenskiy Invokes Churchill as He Calls on UK to Do More to Help Ukraine

THE GUARDIAN: President tells Commons Ukraine will fight Russia ‘in the forests, the fields, the shores and in the streets’

Ukraine will not lose to Russia, vowed Zelenskiy. Photograph: Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament

The president of Ukraine echoed Winston Churchill and invoked the fight against Nazism as he made a direct plea to Britain to do more to help protect his country in the fight against the Russian invasion.

In an unprecedented and emotional speech broadcast live to the House of Commons, Volodymyr Zelenskiy channelled Churchill when he told a packed chamber: “We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, the fields, the shores and in the streets.”

Ukraine “will not lose” to Russia, he vowed. Zelenskiy, who received long ovations from MPs before and after his speech, also cited Shakespeare to describe the plight of his country under Russian invasion, saying it was a question of “to be or not to be”.

“For 13 days this question could have been asked but now I can give you a definitive answer. It’s definitely yes, to be,” he said, according to a translation of his speech, which was delivered in Ukrainian and broadcast live from Kyiv.

“And I would like to remind you the words that the United Kingdom has already heard, which are important again. We will not give up and we will not lose.” » | Peter Walker, Political correspondent | Tuesday, March 8, 2022


Zelenskiy brings down the house with his speech to the Commons: Looking tired, determined and painfully human, Ukraine’s president carefully makes the case for his country »

Trump and Putin (2/2) | DW Documentary


Part 1.

Trump and Putin (1/2) | DW Documentary

Aug 8, 2020 • Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are two men with the same mission: They say they want to make their countries "great again." Trump was Moscow’s preferred candidate in the 2016 US election. But now, the Kremlin may be having second thoughts.

Donald Trump was elected to the US presidency on 9 November 2016, defeating Hillary Clinton, who was anything but popular with the Russian government. Yet a short time later, after relations between the two countries had become as bad as they’d been since the Cold War, Moscow may have been changing its mind. The relationship has been dogged by scrutiny in the US, in particular the Mueller investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential poll.

How will Russian-US relations develop now? What deals can Moscow offer to Trump, who thrives on bluster, bluff and berating opponents? And how does that square with Putin’s ambitions to make Russia a global superpower again?

This documentary examines the ebb and flow of Russian-US relations and the personal ties between the two presidents. Politicians, insiders and experts discuss what the two men have in common and the limits of cooperation between them. The filmmakers also talk to people such as the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Duma, Piotr Tolstoi. Journalists Evgeniya Albaz and Mikhail Sygar and Kremlin mastermind Sergei Karaganov round out the Russian perspective on the relationship between the two men and their countries.


Moldawien: Die Furcht vor dem russischen Bären | ARTE Reportage

Mar 8, 2022 • Seit Tagen kommen immer mehr ukrainische Flüchtlinge in das benachbarte Moldawien. Das kleine Land liegt zwischen Rumänien und der Ukraine, früher einmal gehörte es zur Sowjetunion, seit 1991 ist es unabhängig und eher in Richtung EU orientiert.

Allerdings fürchten viele Moldawier nun, das ihr Land als nächstes auf Putins Liste von wieder einzugliedernden Staaten stehen könnte. Trotzdem erfüllt die kleine Republik ihre humanitäre Pflicht, obwohl sie eines der ärmsten Länder Europas ist: 41.000 Ukrainerinnen und Ukrainer nahmen sie alleine in den ersten vier Tagen auf.

Video auf Youtube verfügbar bis zum 07/03/2025


How Hard Will Sanctions Hurt Russia's Oligarchs? | DW News

Mar 8, 2022 • Russian oligarchs have long enjoyed the European high life, with their yachts, jets and multi-million euro mansions dotted around the continent's beauty spots. However they're now the target of strict sanctions from the EU and other European nations, as well as the US, aimed at hurting Russia's richest and most powerful.

The "Lady M," is a luxury yacht worth around 65 million euros. The vessel was seized over the weekend on the Italian Mediterranean coast. The owner: Alexei Mordashov, one of the richest men in Russia is a major shareholder in the German tourism company TUI.

Yachts, airplanes, company shares and luxury real estate abroad are considered assets and therefore fall under the sanctions against the country.

On the Cote d' Azur, a mega-yacht owned by Russian billionaire and Putin supporter Igor Setchin was prevented from sailing. Literally at the last minute. It is valued at around 120 million euros.

Sanctions are hitting the richest Russians, such as Putin confidant and entrepreneur, Alisher Usmanov. His luxury yacht is one of the largest in the world, worth around 600 million euros. It’s docked in a shipyard in Hamburg and could soon be confiscated.

The US has also imposed sanctions on Usmanov and seven other oligarchs close to Putin. These include Nikolay Tokarev, the head of energy giant Transneft, as well as billionaire Arkady Rotenberg and his brother. There are also visa restrictions on 19 other Russian billionaires. Yevgeny Prigozhin is on the FBI's wanted list. He is known as Putin's cook, running a catering company that serves meals to the Kremlin. He is also believed to be one of the founders of the Wagner Group, a paramilitary unit that recently sent 400 mercenaries in an attempt to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.


Der saudische Bösewicht lässt Biden zappeln

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Der amerikanische Präsident nannte Saudiarabien im Wahlkampf einen «Paria». Um die Erdölpreise trotz harten Sanktionen gegen Russland zu zügeln, braucht er nun aber Riads Hilfe. Bidens Berater erwägen deshalb einen Besuch im Wüstenstaat.

Der saudische Kronprinz Mohammed bin Salman scheint nun die Gunst der Stunde nutzen zu wollen. | Leon Neal / Getty

Das Ende der Sowjetunion hat verschiedene Gründe. Eine wichtige Ursache war ein starker Zerfall der Erdölpreise Mitte der achtziger Jahre, nachdem Saudiarabien seine Produktion stark erhöht hatte. Moskau fehlte danach schlicht das Geld, um sein Imperium aufrechtzuerhalten. Die damalige amerikanische Regierung unter Präsident Reagan soll in Riad für diesen Schritt geworben haben, um nicht nur die Sowjetunion, sondern auch Iran zu schwächen.

Fast vier Jahrzehnte später wäre die saudische «Erdölwaffe» für die USA auch im Kampf mit Putins Russland ein wirksames Mittel. Dies umso mehr, als der Druck auf Präsident Joe Biden steigt, die Sanktionen gegen Russland vom Finanzsektor auch auf den Export von Erdöl und Erdgas auszuweiten. «Russland verdient keinen Cent mehr von den USA», twitterte der republikanische Minderheitsführer im Repräsentantenhaus, Kevin McCarthy, am Sonntag. Gleichzeitig kritisieren die Republikaner Biden dafür, die eigene Erdölindustrie durch Umweltauflagen einzuschränken. «Anstatt mehr einheimisches Erdöl zu produzieren, bevorzugt diese Regierung, mehr von Ländern wie Iran oder Venezuela zu kaufen», twitterte der Abgeordnete Pat Fallon. Washington schickt Delegation nach Venezuela » | Christian Weisflog, Washington | Dienstag, 8. März 2022

Is Putin Trying to Wipe Out Ukrainian Identity and Culture? | DW News

Mar 8, 2022 • Since the start of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine's museums, galleries and cultural institutions have been scrambling to protect their collections. Many have shipped pieces abroad, but this is becoming increasingly difficult. Heavy shelling has already caused considerable damage - so museum workers are staying behind to save what's left. Ukrainians fear for the survival of their cultural history and identity.

The nation's heritage is being packed up in boxes. The Andrey Sheptytsky National Museum in Lviv is Ukraine's largest art museum - its doors have been closed since the Russian invasion began. The museum already survived World War II, but whether it will survive this one unscathed is unclear. Its extensive collections are being packed away into the cellar.

Many of the city's sculptures have been carefully cloaked in foam wrap. Maybe a futile attempt to protect them, but better than doing nothing at all.

Empty walls fill the museum in Lviv. As this new chapter of Ukraine's history begins, hope and grief are constant companions.


Eric Zemmour visé par de nouvelles accusations d’agressions sexuelles et de comportements inappropriés envers des femmes

LE MONDE : Le candidat d’extrême droite est accusé de faits présumés lorsqu’il était journaliste, de 1999 à 2019. Son entourage accuse Mediapart de « recycle[r] » des témoignages.

Dans une enquête vidéo publiée par Mediapart mardi 8 mars au matin, huit femmes, dont certaines à visage découvert, accusent Eric Zemmour de comportements inappropriés et d’agressions sexuelles, pour des faits présumés allant de 1999 à 2019, lorsqu’il était journaliste. L’entourage du candidat d’extrême droite a réagi auprès de l’Agence France-Presse (AFP) estimant que « Mediapart veut faire un coup le jour de la journée [des droits] de la femme en recyclant des témoignages déjà sortis l’an dernier. Minable à cinq semaines du premier tour » de l’élection présidentielle. Le candidat a, lui, refusé de répondre aux questions des journalistes du site d’information. » | Le Monde avec AFP | mardi 8 mars 2022

LIRE AUSSI :

Eric Zemmour, du mépris des femmes à la hantise de l’immigration : L’équipe de campagne du candidat à l’élection présidentielle lui a fait comprendre qu’il valait mieux désormais éviter les propos misogynes, qui lui coûtent dans les sondages. »

Democracy Now! US News & World Headlines – March 8, 2022

Russian News Anchor Says Millions of Russians Feel Invasion Is a Catastrophe

Mar 6, 2022 • Russian news director and anchor, Ekaterina Kotrikadze, speaks to CNN's Fareed Zakaria about the state of the country's news media after her station, TV Rain, shut down due to the Russian government's crackdown on local media over unfavorable coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Russia: Thousands Arrested in Anti-war Protests

Guerre en Ukraine : Zelensky critique «ceux qui n'ont pas été capables de prendre une décision en Occident depuis 13 jours»

Le président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky. UKRAINE PRESIDENCY / AFP

LE FIGARO : Le président ukrainien s'en est pris à «ceux qui n'ont pas été capables de prendre une décision en Occident» depuis le début de l'offensive russe.

Le président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky a dénoncé mardi 8 mars les «promesses» non tenues des Occidentaux pour protéger l'Ukraine des attaques russes. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mardi 8 mars 2022

President Zelenskyy's Exclusive Interview with David Muir: ABC News

March 8, 2022 : Streamed live 10 hours ago


The West needs to create a no-fly zone to help the Ukrainians. The West needs to find its mojo and defy and challenge the Russians. Putin will never be satisfied with Ukraine alone. After Ukraine, he will move on to the Baltic states or the previous Soviet satellites such as Poland and Rumania. The longer we delay, the worse it will be for the West. We need to grow a spine. War with Putin is what we will get whichever way we play it. Weakness never won any war We need to stand four-square behind the Ukraine. – © Mark

„Verpisst Euch! Geht nach Hause!“

ZIVILER WIDERSTAND IN UKRAINE

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Mitten im Krieg protestieren Tausende Ukrainer in besetzten Städten gegen die russischen Truppen – manch einer in Jogginghose und Schlappen. Die Menschen entlarven das russische Narrativ der „Befreiung“ als Lüge.

Aus den ersten zwölf Tagen des Krieges gibt es zahllose Beispiele dafür, in welch unmittelbarer Gefahr Ukrainerinnen und Ukrainer dieser Tage leben. Foto- und Videoaufnahmen zeigen sterbende Kinder in den Armen ihrer verzweifelten Eltern, auf der Flucht getötete Familien, zerbombte Wohnhäuser, Schulen und Kliniken, zerstörte Autos. Sie sind Zeugnis bewusster Angriffe auf Zivilisten durch die russischen Truppen. » | Von Sofia Dreisbach, Redakteurin in der Politik. | Montag, 7. März 2022

Russland ohne Zara und Co

Nach dem Rückzug zahlreicher großer Firmen stellt nun auch der Zara-Mutterkonzern Inditex wegen des Ukraine-Krieges den Betrieb in Russland bis auf Weiteres ein. | Bild: DPA

MODEHANDEL

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Beliebte Modekonzerne wie Inditex und H&M schließen Filialen in Russland und stoppen Lieferungen. Andere Händler wollen ihre Läden noch offen lassen.

Immer mehr Modehändler verlassen den russischen Markt. Der spanische Textilkonzern Inditex , zu dessen acht Marken Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka und Pull & Bear gehören, zog am Wochenende nach. Der Konzern traf damit eine wirtschaftlich schmerzhafte Entscheidung, denn Russland ist nach Spanien der zweitwichtigste Markt. Inditex teilte am Samstag mit, dass man derzeit die „Kontinuität der Geschäftstätigkeit und der Handelsbedingungen in der Russischen Föderation nicht garantieren kann und die Tätigkeit in den 502 Geschäften (davon 86 Zara) und über den Onlinekanal in dem Land vorübergehend einstellt“. Aktienkurs im Sinkflug » | Von Hans-Christian Rößler, Politischer Korrespondent für die Iberische Halbinsel und den Maghreb mit Sitz in Madrid; Stefanie Diemand, Redakteurin in der Wirtschaft. | Montag, 7. März 2022

For Foreign Fighters, Ukraine Offers Purpose, Camaraderie and a Cause

REUTERS.COM: LVIV, Ukraine, March 7 (Reuters) - Michael Ferkol, who once served as a supply specialist with engineer battalions in the U.S. Army, had been in Rome studying archaeology when he heard the Ukrainian president's appeal for foreign fighters.

Within days, Ferkol said, he presented himself at a military recruiting office in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, hoping to be taken on as a frontline paramedic.

"I told them I wanted to triage patients," said the 29-year- old, who has no combat experience. "There was a Finnish guy there too, and he was like, 'I just want to kill Russians.'"

Ukraine has established an "international" legion for people from abroad and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has publicly urged foreigners to "fight side-by-side with Ukrainians against the Russian war criminals" to show support for his country. Last week, Zelenskiy said that more than 16,000 foreigners had volunteered, without specifying how many had arrived.

Some foreign fighters arriving in Ukraine say they are attracted by the cause: to halt what they view as an unprovoked attack in a once-in-a-generation showdown between the forces of democracy and dictatorship. For others, many of them veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Ukraine war also offers a chance to use fighting skills they felt their own governments no longer appreciated. » | Andrew R.c. Marshall | Monday, March 7, 2022

Monday, March 07, 2022

Guerre en Ukraine : minée par les inégalités, la Russie se dirige vers une récession historique

LE MONDE : Sous l’effet des sanctions imposées en réaction à l’invasion de l’Ukraine, le produit intérieur brut russe pourrait chuter de 5 % à 10 % cette année.

« Dès les premières sanctions, ma mère a dit : “Surtout, fais le plein de médicaments”, raconte Youlia, une ingénieure moscovite, qui préfère garder l’anonymat. Nous avons vite compris qu’elle avait raison : tout ce qui vient de l’étranger va bientôt manquer. » Pour protéger ses économies face à l’effondrement du rouble, la jeune femme de 31 ans s’est précipitée en magasin pour acheter une poignée de bijoux et un ordinateur. « Cela vaudra toujours quelque chose. » Son frère Ivan, lui, s’est tourné vers les cryptomonnaies. « Mais, moi, je n’ai pas confiance. Si notre économie s’effondre, ce n’est pas avec des sous virtuels qu’on achètera du pain. » » | Par Marie Charrel | dimanche 6 mars 2022

Article réservé aux abonnés

Don Winslow Films - #PutinIsLying

There are two wars raging:

1. The one on the ground in Ukraine.
2. The misinformation war Putin is waging.

Both must be won


Thousands Arrested across Russia at Anti-war Protests

Mar 7, 2022 • Police in Russia detained more than 4,300 people on Sunday at anti-war protests across different cities, according to an independent protest monitoring group.

With New Limits on Media, Putin Closes a Door on Russia’s ‘Openness’

THE NEW YORK TIMES: One of the paradoxical things about Vladimir V. Putin’s increasingly authoritarian rule of Russia was how relatively open society always remained.

For all the state’s control of media, people could read or watch what they wanted, including foreign newscasts like BBC and CNN. The internet was largely unfettered, a portal to the rest of the world. Unlike, say, China, you could criticize the president with some assurance that the police would not knock at the door.

Until now.

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Mr. Putin has strangled the vestiges of a free press to justify an invasion that has been almost universally condemned — and with that moved closer to the stultifying orthodoxy of the Soviet Union. The result will be to isolate the country, as Mr. Putin has isolated himself, leaving it with a one-sided view of the world no longer subject to debate. » | Steven Lee Myers | Monday, March 7, 2022

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch in der Gedenkstunde für die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus im Bundestag

Jan 31, 2018 • Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Überlebende des Holocaust, mit einer beeindruckenden Rede zum Gedenken an die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus am 31. Januar 2018 im Deutschen Bundestag. Quelle: Deutscher Bundestag


Deutscher Bundestag: Remembering the victims of National Socialism with Anita Lasker-Wallfisch.

WIKIPEDIA:

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch (English version)

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch (deutsche Version)

Les Ukrainiens unis par l’esprit de résistance face à la Russie

Des Ukrainiens préparent une barrière avec des sacs de sable, à Kiev, lundi 7 mars. GLEB GARANICH/REUTERS

LE FIGARO : REPORTAGE - Au coin des rues bombardées, dans les maternités ou leurs immeubles dévastés, femmes et hommes de tous les âges jurent de contrer l’ennemi.

Envoyé spécial à Irpin

La vieille dame, élégante dans son manteau de fourrure et sa toque, avance d’un pas lent sous le tonnerre des canons. Au milieu du flot d’habitants d’Irpin, qui fuient leur ville à la hâte sous les tirs dans une atmosphère d’apocalypse, elle est à bout de forces, mais refuse toute assistance. Calme, elle porte d’un bras son sac à main en cuir et de l’autre quelques provisions dans un sac en plastique avec une saisissante dignité. Des chiens apeurés par une rafale de kalachnikov courent entre ses jambes. Elle regarde devant elle, imperturbable. «Que Dieu nous garde, qu’il nous protège.» Machinalement, elle murmure une prière lorsqu’elle croise un soldat ukrainien ou un secouriste. Elle laisse derrière elle les ruines et les flammes de sa ville, écrasée par les bombes de l’armée russe et où les combats font rage depuis plus de dix jours, les forces ukrainiennes défendant pied à pied ce dernier verrou au nord-ouest de Kiev sur la route du centre-ville. » | Par Patrick Saint-Paul | lundi 7 mars 2022

Réservé aux abonnés

‘They Are Frozen’: Poland Praised for Generous Welcome to 1m Ukrainians

THE GUARDIAN: Volunteers leading response to growing number of people fleeing Russian invasion, as country announces £1.3bn fund for refugees

People wait for transportation after fleeing from Ukraine and arriving at the border crossing in Medyka, Poland, on Monday. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images

More than 1 million people have crossed from Ukraine into Poland since the Russian invasion began on 24 February, the Polish border guard has said.

Poland, which shares a 310-mile border with Ukraine, has taken in the majority of the 1.7 million people who have left their homes since the war began, with aid efforts largely operated by volunteers, as well as NGOs and municipalities.

“Traffic on the Polish-Ukrainian border is growing, today at 7am, 42,000 people arrived in Poland from Ukraine,” the border guard tweeted on Monday. Most people arriving in Poland have found short-term accommodation provided by citizens and private businesses.

Poland has announced plans to set up an 8bn zloty (£1.34bn) fund for people fleeing Ukraine, including the provision of a one-off payment of 300 zloty (£50) for each refugee. » | Karen McVeigh | Monday, March 7, 2022

Ukrainian refugees, meet Britain’s ‘hostile environment’. We should be ashamed: You could hardly imagine a frostier welcome for these desperate people. The comparison with Europe tells you everything »

"Boris Can Be Churchill If He Acts Now": Ukrainian Activist on the War against Russia | Red Box

Mar 7, 2022 • It's already one of the defining images of the conflict that has reshaped the world. Daria Kaleniuk, the Ukranian human rights campaigner, confronting Boris Johnson over NATO's refusal to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine. With the west still refusing to yield to her calls, and president Putin's campaign of aggression escalating, Times Red Box Editor Patrick Maguire spoke to her about Britain's response to the conflict.

In Dubai wird der arabische Traum wahr

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Immer mehr junge Menschen aus dem Nahen Osten zieht es nach Dubai. Die Stadt am Golf steht für ein Leben jenseits von Kriegen und Krisen. Und vor allem jenseits der Politik.

Die Wüstenstadt am Meer hat eine Sonnenseite, die viel individuelle Freiheiten lässt, aber auch Schatten der Armut. | Francois Nel / Getty

Marcel steht in einem Nachtklub im vierzigsten Stock eines Hochhauses. Unter ihm leuchten die Lichter von Dubai. Es ist Freitagnacht, der Klub ist voll. Marcel ist Libanese, aber Libanon sei am Ende, sagt er: «Das Land ist völlig zu Grunde gerichtet. Es gibt dort keine Zukunft mehr.» Seit ein paar Wochen arbeitet er deshalb in Dubai im Nachtklub B018. Immer wieder verschwindet er zwischen den Gästen in teuren Sneakers und Jeans, um dafür zu sorgen, dass in den Eiskübeln auf den Tischen der Nachschub an Gin- und Wodkaflaschen nicht ausgeht.

Das B018 ist der Ableger eines gleichnamigen Techno-Klubs in Beirut. Dort sieht der Klub aus wie ein Bunker und befindet sich an einem Ort, an dem im libanesischen Bürgerkrieg einst ein Massaker stattgefunden hat. Der neugegründete Ableger in Dubai befindet sich dagegen in einem Luxushotel. «Mehr braucht man über den Unterschied zwischen den beiden Städten eigentlich gar nicht zu sagen», sagt Marcel.

Tausende junger Libanesen haben in den vergangenen zwei Jahren ihr wirtschaftlich kaputtes Land verlassen. Viele von ihnen sind wie Marcel nach Dubai gegangen, in jene Stadt in den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten, die ihnen all das bietet, was es in der Heimat nicht gibt: Sicherheit, Arbeit, eine funktionierende Verwaltung. Und vor allem ein ganz normales Leben. » | Daniel Böhm, Dubai | Montag, 7. März 2022

Alle NZZ-Abonnements sind hier erhältlich.

LESEN SIE AUCH:

Der Araber der Zukunft: Was man an der Expo in Dubai über den Nahen Osten lernen kann: Die Weltausstellung in dem Golf-Emirat feiert Toleranz, Innovation und Optimismus. Mit der Realität im Nahen Osten hat das auf den ersten Blick wenig zu tun. Oder doch? Ein Streifzug durch ein Utopia im Wüstensand. »

Russia Has Long History of Homophobia

Aug 10, 2013 • CNN's Matthew Chance reports on new anti-gay laws in Russia.

Gabe Concas : Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Sauce

Oven Temp: 375°F for 20 min | Internal Temp. of Pork: 140°F

INGREDIENTS:

- 3-4 lbs Pork Tenderloin
- Salt/Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Stick Butter (a “stick” of butter equates to 4oz or 113g)
- 2 Large Shallots
- 1 Tbsp Garlic
- 1/2 Cup White Wine
- 1 Cup Chicken Stock
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream | Known as double cream in the UK, but not extra thick double cream!
- 2 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Thyme
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Rosemary


Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23 - Anna Fedorova | Live Concert HD

Oct 15, 2018 • Pianist Anna Fedorova and the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie led by Yves Abel perform Tchaikovsky's 'Piano Concerto No. 1' in The Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam. The concert is part of the NPO Radio 4-series The Sunday Morning Concert.

Russia's First Gay Married Couple Had ro Run for Their Lives (HBO)

Sep 2, 2018 • Yevgeny Voitsekhovsky and Pavel Stotsko aren't just a married gay couple — they were the first married gay couple in Russia after their January marriage was officially recognized by a government official. But their bliss was short lived, and they were quickly forced to flee the country in fear for their lives.

The couple has been staying ever since in a small town in the Netherlands, where they spoke exclusively to VICE News.

Although gay marriage is illegal in Russia, Voitsekhovsky and Stotsko took advantage of a loophole earlier this year after discovering the government recognizes foreign marriages.

The couple wed in Denmark in January, seven years after they first started dating. On their return to Russia, they took their internal passports to a government office to be officially registered.

To their surprise, registering at the municipality office went off without a hitch. …


From the Archives: Putin’s Pride? Six Famous Gay Sons of Russia

CHANNEL 4 NEWS: Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay propaganda laws have sought to stifle homosexual expression – but Sochi’s opening ceremony featured some of the most prominent homosexuals in international history.


The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony referenced prominent gay Russians from the field of literature, ballet, music and film – including Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Vaslav Nijinsky and Sergei Eisenstein.

Article Six of the Olympic charter states that “any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic movement”.

Channel 4 News lists below six, of the many, gay Russians that Vladimir Putin should be proud of: Pyotr Tchaikovsky » | Saturday, February 8, 2014

Tchaikovsky and the secret gay loves censors tried to hide: New volume includes once-hidden passages about the composer’s homosexuality »

How US Right-wing Views Putin amid Russian War on Ukraine

AL JAZEERA: Russian president has enjoyed support among US conservatives, but Ukraine attack now prompts criticism.

As Russia’s deadly invasion of Ukraine continues, a number of prominent American conservatives who had previously been complimentary of Vladimir Putin have been forced to confront past comments praising the Russian president. For years, Putin has enjoyed support from an unlikely coalition of elected Republican officials, conservative Christian leaders and right-wing television hosts, whose praise has ranged from admiration of his intelligence to his hardline position against progressive cultural ideas.

“The question of the American right’s support for Putin and Russia is a complex, many-layered issue,” Devin Burghart, president of the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, told Al Jazeera.

“There is an attraction to Putin’s hardline authoritarian stance and his aggressive foreign policy. Others are attracted to the brand of traditionalist Christianity Putin has expressed. Some like Putin’s attacks on the Russian LGBTQ community.”

In many ways, the American right’s Putin problem starts at the top.

Former President Donald Trump, who has voiced admiration for Putin for years, appeared to praise the Russian leader’s advances days before the invasion on February 24, calling the moves “smart” and “savvy”. “Putin is smart,” Trump also told a gathering in Mar-a-lago, Florida, on the eve of Russian forces’ all-out attack on Ukraine, which has killed hundreds of civilians and forced more than a million people to flee. “He’s taken over a country for two dollars worth of sanctions. I’d say that’s pretty smart.” » | Chris Moody | Friday, March 4, 2022

Putin: Redrawing Borders, Rewriting History | The Listening Post

Feb 26, 2022 • As news of Russia's invasion of Ukraine floods the airwaves, and with the prospect of a wider conflict brewing in Eastern Europe between Russia and the NATO alliance, we are dispensing with our usual format.

Guerre en Ukraine : Kiev dans la ligne de mire de l’armée russe

LE MONDE : REPORTAGE | A Irpin, située dans sa banlieue, au moins huit civils ont été tués par des frappes. L’armée ukrainienne craint soit un puissant assaut, soit un encerclement et l’instauration d’un siège.

Ils sont peut-être les derniers à pouvoir fuir Irpin avant que la ville tombe aux mains de l’armée russe. L’artillerie frappe à intervalles réguliers. Des combats à l’arme automatique s’engagent. Au nord-ouest de la capitale ukrainienne, Irpin est, dimanche 6 mars, en train de sombrer. Des combattants ukrainiens, dont beaucoup ont déjà quitté leurs positions pour se replier aux abords de Kiev, aident des familles à avancer vers la forêt ou à s’engouffrer dans les rares voitures encore disponibles. Ils ont déjà fait sauter le pont d’Irpin afin de ralentir l’avancée des chars russes vers la capitale. La conquête imminente du pont marquera officiellement l’arrivée de l’armée de Moscou à la limite administrative de Kiev.

Au-delà des raids aériens, des tirs de missiles et des incursions d’unités de forces spéciales qui rythment la guerre à Kiev depuis le 24 février – Moscou étant par ailleurs encore loin d’utiliser sa force aérienne contre la ville et les derniers jours ayant été relativement calmes –, l’arrivée de l’assaillant aux portes de la capitale signifiera sans nul doute une nouvelle étape dans l’offensive russe. L’armée ukrainienne craint soit un puissant assaut, soit un encerclement et l’instauration d’un siège. » | Par Rémy Ourdan (Kiev, envoyé spécial) | ;undi 7 mars 2022

Réservé aux abonnés

LIRE AUSSI :

Guerre en Ukraine, en direct : Emmanuel Macron dénonce le « cynisme moral et politique » de Vladimir Poutine : Dans une vidéo diffusée lundi, le président ukrainien a demandé l’intervention des Occidentaux. Il a aussi réclamé de nouvelles sanctions contre la Russie, en proposant notamment un boycott du pétrole. »

Nucléaire : la France envoie «des produits médicaux», dont de l'iode, à l'Ukraine

Le ministre des Affaires étrangères Jean-Yves Le Drian. OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP

LE FIGARO : Le ministre des Affaires étrangères a annoncé la fourniture à l'Ukraine de produits médicaux pour se prémunir contre le risque d'un accident nucléaire.

La France a envoyé à l'Ukraine «différents produits médicaux», dont de l'iode, pour se prémunir contre le risque d'un accident nucléaire lors des combats avec l'armée russe, a indiqué dimanche 6 mars au soir son ministre des Affaires étrangères Jean-Yves Le Drian.

«Oui, on a envoyé différents produits médicaux», a déclaré Jean-Yves Le Drian sur la chaîne France 2, en réponse à une question sur l'éventuel envoi d'iode à l'Ukraine. «On a envoyé beaucoup d'équipements médicaux, ça en fait partie», a-t-il par la suite confirmé sur la chaîne France 5. Auparavant, l'ambassadeur de France en Ukraine, Étienne de Poncins, avait fait état, sur la chaîne BFMTV, de la fourniture dans les prochains jours de «2,5 millions de doses d'iode pour pouvoir parer à tout danger nucléaire». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | lundi 7 mars 2022

Moskau bezweifelt Österreichs Neutralität und droht Wien

Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) am 1. März in Wien | Bild: DPA

KRIEG IN DER UKRAINE

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Moskau weist die Kritik des österreichischen Kanzlers Nehammer am Überfall auf die Ukraine scharf zurück. Unterschwellig wird gedroht: Man werde das „künftig berücksichtigen“.

Zwischen Moskau und Wien ist am Wochenende ein scharfer Wortwechsel über die österreichische Neutralität ausgetragen worden. Das russische Außenministerium verbreitete eine Erklärung, in der der Bundeskanzler des „scheinbar neutralen Ös-terreichs“ hart kritisiert wurde. Er ha¬be in den vergangenen Tagen „einsei¬tige und empörende Aussagen“ zur Situation in der Ukraine getätigt und eine „emotionale antirussische Rhetorik“ gebraucht.

Dabei bezieht sich Moskau auf Äu¬ßerungen von Bundeskanzler Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) über die einseitige Entfesselung des Ukrainekriegs durch Russland, Kriegsverbrechen sowie Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit. Ferner wird eine Bemerkung Nehammers kritisiert, die Neutralität sei Österreich nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg durch sow¬jetische Kommunisten „aufgezwungen“ worden. In diesem Zusammenhang erinnert Moskau daran, dass die Rote Armee für die „Befreiung des Territoriums dieses Landes“, also Ös¬terreichs, einen hohen Preis entrichtet habe, mehr als 26.000 Soldaten seien dabei gefallen. » | Von Stephan Löwenstein, Politischer Korrespondent mit Sitz in Wien. | Sonntag, 6. März 2022

Zelensky Warns of New Russian Attacks in Ukraine

THE NEW YORK TIMES: As fighting takes an increasing toll on civilians, Russian and Ukrainian representatives were expected to meet for a third round of talks on Monday. Russian police detained thousands of antiwar protesters over the weekend.

Several rockets landed in a neighborhood of heavy concentrated apartment blocks in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, on Monday, blowing out windows and sending shrapnel through walls and home appliances. | Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

MYKOLAIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Ukraine on Monday to expect a renewed bombardment of major cities, as Russian forces attempt to renew their assault after being stalled by stiff resistance and suffering unexpected heavy losses.

Before dawn, a huge explosion on the outskirts of the coastal city of Mykolaiv lit up the sky and artillery fire rang out as Russian troops continue their push to take the city, a vital point on the road to Odessa. Here are the latest developments: » | Michael Schwirtz and Marc Santora | Monday, March 7, 2022

Ukraine: Angry Zelensky Vows to Punish Russian Atrocities

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said everyone who commits atrocities against Ukraine's civilians will be punished.: He said Ukrainians would not forgive or forget, and accused invading Russian troops of deliberate murder. »

Sunday, March 06, 2022

The Terrifying Reality of Life under Russia's Anti-Gay Laws

Jan 6, 2014 • The Iron Closet: Russia's draconian anti-gay laws effectively licensing violent vigilante gangs to target the LGBT community.

Brutally beaten and forced to drink their own urine while being filmed for internet broadcasts, homosexuals lured into the hands of vigilante groups like Occupy Pedofilyaj (who uniformly view gays as paedophiles) should be very afraid. But they can't expect any help from the police: if they're caught the police arrest the victims and not their torturers. "The objective is to look for paedophile-minded residents and film a video that will them leave them publicly disgraced", Yekaterina Zigunova, of the group Occupy Pedofilyaj, boasts unashamedly.

The encouragement and free hand they're given is one of the more confronting features of Russia's anti-gay stance. The law has left homosexuals living in fear. Even an expression that you believe in equal rights, or any public display, could result in arrest. "Theoretically it's possible to start hauling us into the police station today", Masha Gessen says about co-habiting with her partner. But they're not giving up and see the Olympics as a great opportunity to confront Russian society. As one activist, Polina, says, "I would call on Games participants to come here and to do visible things in support of LGBT people. Only this way will we have a public discussion".


< ?center>

Ukraine War: Investigate Claim PM Intervened to Help Evgeny Lebedev Get Peerage, Says Starmer

PA MEDIA

BBC: Sir Keir Starmer has called for a senior parliamentary committee to investigate claims Boris Johnson pushed for a Russian-born businessman to get a peerage, despite security concerns.

The Sunday Times reports the security services withdrew an assessment that giving Evgeny Lebedev an honour posed a security risk after the PM intervened.

The Labour leader said he was "very concerned" about the case.

However, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab insisted there was no "impropriety".

Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Morning programme, Mr Raab said: "There is a very strict and stringent process when anyone is granted a peerage".

He added that the rules around the honours process were "applied very rigorously in this case."

"This was done properly and correctly and we have procedures and systems in place to make sure it is." » | BBC | Sunday, March 6, 2022

Russia: Thousands Arrested in Anti-war Protests

Mar 6, 2022 • Despite the Kremlin's draconian crackdown, crowds of people have turned out at anti-war protests across Russia.

One monitoring group said more than 4,000 people had been arrested in dozens of cities across the country.

But none of that could stop many ordinary Russians from simply 'going for a walk'.

The faces of the interviewees have been blurred in this report for their own safety.


Ukraine: Russian Forces Attack Civilians Near Kyiv, as Mauripol Evacuation Halted for Second Time

Mar 6, 2022 • Warning: There are distressing scenes from the beginning of this report.

They were trying to escape the wreckage of what was once their homes when they came under direct attack.

In Irpin, just outside Kyiv, at least three members of a family - including children - were killed.

To the south, renewed Russian shelling forced the Red Cross to abandon a second attempt to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol.

President Zelenskyy appealed to the West again to enforce a no-fly zone, something they have refused to do, but today US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said they have given the green light to Nato countries to provide fighter jets to Ukraine.



Time for the West to Grow a Spine!

Schumann - Kinderszenen Op.15, "Scenes from Childhood" | Vladimir Horowitz

Kinderszenen, "Scenes from Childhood", Opus 15 is a set of thirteen pieces of music for piano written on during the spring of 1838. In this work, Schumann provides us with his adult reminiscences of childhood. When Schumann wrote Kinderszenen, he was deeply in love with Clara Wieck, soon to become his wife over the objections of her overbearing father. The composer worked at a feverish pace, composing these pieces in just several days. …


WIKIPEDIA: Vladimir Horowitz.

Anita Lasker Wallfisch: Mich hat Auschwitz nie verlassen

Streamed live on May 28, 2018 • Zeitzeugen im Gespräch – Erfahrungen und Schicksale deutscher Juden im Nationalsozialismus

Warlord Who Helped Oversee Chechnya’s Brutal ‘Gay Purge’ Killed in Ukraine

Magomed Tushayev (L) and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. (Twitter/@IAPonomarenko)

PINK NEWS: Magomed Tushayev, one of the leaders behind the horrific “gay purge” in Chechnya, has been killed in Ukraine.

Tushayev was a top advisor and military commander for Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and helped oversee a brutal so-called “purge” of LGBT+ people in the region since at least 2017.

He was reportedly killed while heading up the 141 motorised regiment of the Chechnya National Guard on Saturday (26 February), the Ukrainian news agency the Kyiv Independent reported.

Tushayev’s death was confirmed by Illia Ponomarenko, defence reporter for the Kyiv Independent, and by a spokesperson for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the Los Angeles Blade. » | Maggie Baska | Monday, February 28, 2022

Former Top Russian Diplomat: ‘People Will Realize Their Sons Are Dying’

Mar 1, 2022 • ABC News’ Linsey Davis speaks with former Russian foreign affairs minister Andrei Kozyrev about Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine and how the Russian people are responding.

France Accuses UK of ‘Lack of Humanity’ over Ukrainian Refugees

THE GUARDIAN: French interior minister writes to Priti Patel urging government to set up proper consular services in Calais

France’s interior minister has accused the British government of showing a “lack of humanity” when it comes to helping the Ukrainian refugees who have fled the Russian invasion and are now waiting in Calais for permission to join their families in the UK.

Hundreds of Ukrainians have come to the northern French port in the last few days in the hope of crossing the Channel so they can be with relatives who are already established in the UK.

According to the French interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, 400 Ukrainian refugees have presented themselves at Calais border crossings in recent days – only for 150 of them to be told to go away and obtain visas at UK consulates in Paris or Brussels.

In a letter to the UK home secretary, Priti Patel, Darmanin called on the British government to set up a proper consular service in Calais, adding that its response so far was “completely unsuitable” and showed a “lack of humanity“ towards refugees who were often “in distress”. » | Sam Jones, Amelia Gentleman and Aubrey Allegretti | Sunday, March 6, 2022

Could Israel or Turkey Broker Peace in Ukraine? | DW News

Mar 6, 2022 • Israel appears to be emerging as a diplomatic dark horse. On Saturday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett became the first world leader to meet with Vladimir Putin since the invasion began. The surprise meeting was followed by talks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Bennett then travelled on to Germany – the second time this week the two leaders met, after Scholz visited Jerusalem on Wednesday to discuss a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Bennett has offered to act as a mediator, with Israel maintaining good relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Turkey's President Erdogan has held a phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The Turkish leader was expected to urge Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Turkey has close relations with both Moscow and Kyiv but recently moved to limit the passage of Russian warships into the Black Sea. Under the Montreux Convention Ankara can block ships from passing through its straits during wartime but can't prevent them from returning to their home ports.

Volodymyr Zelensky: From Actor and Comedian to Ukraine's Wartime Leader | 60 Minutes Australia

For ten days now the world has watched a country of 44 million people come under relentless attack. But while Ukraine is being destroyed, the resolve of Ukrainians isn't. And that's in large part to their leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky, a former actor and comedian, who really did stumble into statesmanship. But what a role he's performing, especially considering the price on his head. Reports suggest Putin has tasked a kill squad with the job of eliminating him. So far though, they've failed.

The War in Ukraine Holds a Warning for the World Order

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The multinational response shows that liberalism has some life left. But the challenges posed by waning U.S. power and rising authoritarianism remain formidable.

The liberal world order has been on life support for a while. President Biden, in his inaugural address, called democracy “fragile.” President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said two years ago that “the liberal idea” had “outlived its purpose,” while China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has extolled the strength of an all-powerful state and, as he put it last March, “self-confidence in our system.”

The multinational response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown that the demise of the global postwar rules-based order may not be inevitable. A month ago, no one predicted that Germany would reverse decades of military hesitancy and pour 100 billion euros into its defense budget, or that Switzerland would freeze the assets of Russian oligarchs, or that YouTube, World Cup soccer and global energy companies would all cut ties to Russia.

But the reappearance of war in Europe is also an omen. With toddlers sheltering in subway tunnels, and nuclear power plants under threat, it is a global air raid siren — a warning that the American-led system of internationalism needs to get itself back into gear, for the war at hand and for the struggle against authoritarianism to come. » | Damien Cave | Friday, March 4, 2022

”Desperation”: Ex-Intelligence Chief on Putin's Decision to Deploy Mercenaries in Ukraine

Mar 5, 2022 • Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper reacts to indications that Russia is poised to deploy up to 1,000 more mercenaries to Ukraine.

Visa and Mastercard Will Both Suspend Operations in Russia

THE GUARDIAN: Transactions to be cut off after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged companies to take action

Visa and Mastercard have announced tonight they will be suspending operations in Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.

Visa said in a statement that it would cut off transactions “over the coming days” and consequently cards issued in Russia would not work abroad as well as foreign issued cards in Russia.

Alfred Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of the US-based digital payments company, said: “We are compelled to act following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the unacceptable events that we have witnessed.

“We regret the impact this will have on our valued colleagues, and on the clients, partners, merchants and cardholders we serve in Russia. » | Nadeem Badshah | Saturday, March 5, 2022

Mit Gott und Granaten


Patriarch Kirill Ende Februar bei einem Gottesdienst in Moskau. | Bild: AFP

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Kritiker werfen dem russischen Präsidenten eine Sakralisierung seiner Politik vor. Bei seinem Angriff auf die Ukraine spielt die russisch-orthodoxe Kirche eine Schlüsselrolle

PUTINS GESCHICHTSBILD

Gut siebentausend russische Wissenschaftler haben in einem Auf¬ruf gegen den von Russlands Präsident Wladimir Putin befohlenen Angriff auf die Ukraine pro-testiert und ihr Land als „militärischen Ag¬gressor“ und „Schurkenstaat“ kritisiert. Der politischen Führung in Moskau haben sie „historiosophische Fantasien“ vor-geworfen. Sie schmähten damit nicht nur das aus ihrer Sicht imperiale Gebaren eines Autokraten, der eine nationale Mission zu erfüllen glaubt, sondern auch die Sakra-lisierung der russischen Politik in den zu¬rückliegenden beiden Jahrzehnten.

Putin selbst sieht sich im Dienste einer na¬tio¬nalen Mission und will verlorenes Terri-torium zurückholen. Das ist ein Narrativ, das den Zaren ebenso diente wie Katharina II., die damit die Teilung Polens rechtfer¬tigte. » | Von Heike Schmoll, Politische Korrespondentin in Berlin, zuständig für die „Bildungswelten“. | Samstag, 5. März 2022

LIRE AUSSI :

« L’Ukraine catalyse une crise au sein du monde orthodoxe entre Moscou et Constantinople » : La guerre menée par la Russie en Ukraine est aussi religieuse, décrypte l’historien Antoine Arjakovsky, qui explique comment ce conflit oppose le patriarche de Moscou, devenu idéologue de l’impérialisme du Kremlin, à une Eglise orthodoxe d’Ukraine qui s’est émancipée de la tutelle russe en 2019. »

Saturday, March 05, 2022

Defiant Putin Warns the West: Your Sanctions Are Akin to an Act of War

THE OBSERVER: Ukraine told: your statehood is in doubt as Russian bombs end ceasefire in Mariupol

Vladimir Putin delivered a chilling warning to the west over the imposition of sanctions on Russia on Saturday, warning that measures designed to cripple his country’s economy were “akin to an act of war”.

In comments that were both defiant and threatening, the Russian president also told Ukraine’s leaders that their nation risked being dismantled as an independent sovereign state if they continued to resist Russia’s invasion.

“The current leadership needs to understand that if they continue doing what they are doing, they risk the future of Ukrainian statehood,” Putin said. “If that happens they will have to be blamed for that.”

His intervention, in which he hinted the conflict could soon spread beyond Ukraine unless the west changed course, came as Moscow broke a ceasefire agreement to allow Ukrainian civilians to flee after 10 days of bombing and devastation.

Later, Russia’s foreign ministry followed up Putin’s warning by specifically singling out the UK for what it called “sanctions hysteria” and its prominent role in supporting Ukraine. Maria Zakharova, the foreign ministry spokeswoman, said Russia would not forget the UK’s cooperation with Kyiv. » | Toby Helm, Luke Harding in Lviv, Daniel Boffey in Brussels & Julian Borger in Washington | Saturday, March 5, 2022

Related.

Zelenskiy Calls for US to Send Aircraft to Ukraine in Video Call with US Congress

THE GUARDIAN: President made a ‘desperate plea’ for military aid to more than 280 senators and representatives as Congress works on $10bn package

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked the US for planes, drones and anti-aircraft missiles. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidency Press Offic/Zuma Press Wire Service/Rex/Shutterstock

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, urged US lawmakers to help provide aircraft to defend the country against Russian invasion during a video meeting with members of Congress on Saturday.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said Zelenskiy “made a desperate plea” for the military aid, which would include planes, drones and anti-aircraft missiles. The Ukrainian president praised sanctions placed upon Russia during the meeting but pressed US lawmakers to go further by banning oil imports from Moscow.

“These planes are very much needed,” Schumer, a Democrat, said in a statement following the gathering of more than 280 senators and House of Representative members. “And I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer.” » | Oliver Milman in New York | Saturday, March 5, 2022

Putin Threatens to Strip Ukraine of Statehood, As Russian Advance Slows

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Russian leader escalated his threats as Ukrainian forces continued to resist. Protests broke out in the first major city captured by Russia. A limited cease-fire collapsed in a besieged city. Israel’s prime minister visits Moscow.

LVIV, Ukraine — As his troops continued to run into stiff resistance in Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia delivered an ominous message to Ukrainians on Saturday, telling government leaders they might lose their statehood and likening the withering sanctions imposed on his country to a “declaration of war.”

“The current leadership needs to understand that if they continue doing what they are doing, they risk the future of Ukrainian statehood,” Mr. Putin said. He also said any third-party countries that tried to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be considered enemy combatants. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has beseeched Western countries to declare such a no-fly zone.

Mr. Putin issued his threats as Ukrainians across the country continued to engage in defiant displays of patriotism, even in places that have been overtaken by the Russians. In Kherson, the first major city to fall to Russian troops, hundreds of protesters gathered in the central square at 10 a.m. on Saturday, many waving Ukrainian flags, according to video streamed live from the scene and verified by The New York Times. » |Marc Santora | Saturday, March 5, 2022

Un général russe de haut rang tué en Ukraine

A g., le général Andrei Sukhovetsky en 2021. A droite, le chef militaire tchétchène Magomed Tushayev Wikicommons/Twitter

LE FIGARO : Si elle était officiellement annoncée, la mort du général Sukhovetsky pourrait jouer fortement sur le moral de l'armée russe. L'armée ukrainienne a également annoncé avoir tué un général tchétchène.

Un général russe de haut-rang a été tué durant des combats en Ukraine, ce qui pourrait constituer une lourde perte pour Vladimir Poutine, rapporte The Independant , citant des sources locales militaires ukrainiennes et russes.

Andrei Sukhovetsky était le commandant général de la 7e Airborne division de Russie, et commandant en chef de la 41e Armée combinée. Il serait ainsi la figure russe militaire la plus importante tuée depuis le début du conflit, selon The Independant. » | Par Le Figaro | samedi 5 mars 2022

Zelenskiy Attacks Nato 'Weakness' for Refusing No-fly Zone over Ukraine

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has criticised Nato for refusing to implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying the decision gave 'the green light for further bombing' of the country.

In an emotional nighttime address, he said: 'All the people who die from this day forward will also die because of you, because of your weakness, because of your lack of unity.'

Nato warned on Friday that imposing a no-fly zone could provoke full-fledged war in Europe with Russia.

Zelenskiy said Nato countries had created a narrative that a no-fly zone would provoke Russian aggression against Nato



I called for the exact same thing in my essay posted on March 1st. Read it here.

La Suisse, paradis perdu des milliardaires proches du Kremlin

Le ministre des Affaires étrangères suisses, Ignazio Cassis, prononce un discours lors d’une session du Conseil des droits de l’homme de l’ONU, lundi, à Genève. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP

LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - La confédération helvétique est sortie de sa réserve habituelle en reprenant «l’intégralité» des sanctions économiques de l’UE contre la Russie au détriment des oligarques russes proches de Poutine.

Genève

«Nous avons franchi le pas et le Conseil fédéral le fait avec conviction, de manière réfléchie et sans équivoque» a déclaré lundi le ministre des Affaires étrangères suisses, Ignazio Cassis, à l’issue d’une session extraordinaire consacrée à la crise russo-ukrainienne à Berne. Ce pas, qualifié de «difficile» par celui qui est aussi le président en exercice de la Confédération, a consisté à reprendre intégralement les sanctions infligées par l’UE à la Russie.

Après quelques jours de tergiversations et un week-end de mobilisation de la population suisse, la position d’équilibriste helvète n’était plus tenable. «La neutralité, ce n’est pas se taire», avait tonné la présidente verte du Conseil national (Chambre basse), Irène Kälin, en ouvrant les débats parlementaires lundi matin. » | Par Marion Moussadek Emonot | Publié : jeudi 3 mars 2022 ; mis à jour : vendredi 4 mars 2022

Réservé aux abonnés

Russian Investment in Brexit and the Tories Now Paying Off

Mar 5, 2022 • As the tragedy in Ukraine continues to unfold, all my thoughts and sympathies are with the Ukrainian people resisting the invasion and those seeking to protect their families, and I want our government to do everything it can to help these people. You just have to ask the question: Why is this government, brought into power on the back of a Russian-funded Brexit campaign, a Tory Party in government that has received millions of pounds of donations from Russian billionaires, taking so long to sanction Russian billionaires?

A Message from a Russian LGBT+ Activist

OPEN DEMOCRACY – OPINION: We can’t stop this war, started by our own government, but we can express our solidarity and support for Ukraine and all its people

‘Love is stronger than war’ reads the banner at a May Day demonstration in St Petersburg, 2014 | Andrey Pronin / ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo. All rights reserved

Working in human rights in Russia can give one a misleading sense of invincibility. Despite the dehumanising legislation and fact that the government sees enemies in its own citizens, human rights activists have learned to adapt and persevere. This is especially true for Russian LGBT+ activists, who grapple not only with legitimised state homophobia, but considerable social stigma. And yet nothing could have prepared us for what happened on the morning of 24 February, when our country invaded Ukraine.

Ironically, I had never felt more Russian than I did in that moment. The immediate reaction is to dissociate yourself from it. The government’s actions are appalling, violence is never the answer, and we, as the Russian people, obviously did not choose this. This is not our war. Right?

But it is impossible to escape the thought that, somehow, you have let the unforgivable happen right under your nose; that right now, on the other side of the Ukrainian border, people are fleeing their homes and fearing for their lives because of troops carrying your flag. The helplessness that comes with that realisation is too overwhelming to bear. Slogans, petitions and statements » | Diane Garshina | Friday, March 4, 2022

Michael Lambert: Patel Lets Desperate Ukrainians Know They Are Not Welcome in the UK

Mar 5, 2022 • Whilst the whole world looks on in horror at the terrible events happening in Ukraine, the UK Home Secretary, Priti Patel, the daughter of immigrants, does everything possible to make it difficult for desperate refugees to come to the UK. Her first reaction was to make it clear that any refugees wanting to come to the UK would have to subject themselves to our new points-based immigration system involving lengthy bureaucracy including testing for English proficiency and general knowledge about the UK.

Whilst other countries all over Europe were abandoning all controls for these desperate people, Patel went to the Commons and announced that certain people might be permitted to come to the UK, but only if they could prove they had very close relatives in the UK. In the meantime, one of her ministers, Kevin Foster, announced that the refugees could apply to come to the UK to pick fruit!

Under Pate,l the government's immigration is in chaos. Following Brexit, whole families are coming to the UK from the Third World to replace individual former EU nurses, and others. Furthermore, money launderers operate with impunity and many others are able to employ workers for cash-in-hand and make no payments to the Pat-As-You-Earn scheme( PAYE) or make any National Insurance contributions (NIC.)

Applicants for asylum or British nationality are kept waiting for up to ten years or more whilst being told they are not permitted to work.



You can view Michael Lambert's earlier video on Priti Patel here.

Volodymyr Zelensky’s Home Town’s Blunt Message: ‘Welcome to Hell, Russians’

THE TIMES: Ukrainians are ready to die for their country and their president

The blunt message was scrawled across a banner on a bridge over the entry road to Kryvyi Rih, the mining city whose most famous son, once a stand-up comedian, now leads his country in war. “Welcome to Hell, Russian Occupant”, it said.

As they toil in preparation for street battles with the Russian troops pushing northward, erecting barricades and digging trenches and tank traps, every man and woman here expresses their respect for President Zelensky and their readiness to fight for him. » | Anthony Loyd in Kryvyi Rih | Friday March 4, 2022

Enjoy unlimited digital access to The Times, free for one month. Check out the offer here.