Dave Keating Thursday, March 10, 2022 worldpoliticsreview

The European Union’s 27 leaders are in Versailles today for a summit that could prove to be historic. They are expected to sign the “Versailles Declaration,” intended to formalize the far-reaching but ad hoc policy changes the EU has implemented in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is now entering its third week. The measures under discussion would strengthen the union’s existing military, economic and border control capabilities, while also giving the bloc new powers in those areas that will push it further down the path toward federalism.

The symbolism of the decision to sign the declaration at the Palace of Versailles—where the Versailles Treaty, another pivotal document that proved central to the remaking of Europe after World War I, was signed in 1919—is not lost on anyone. In 1919, Europe’s leaders got it very wrong. Will they get it right this time? It’s very hard to say, since nobody knows what the world that emerges after the war in Ukraine will look like.

Continue reading The War in Ukraine is transforming the EU →

Nikkei – 50 years ago a major event in the history of money occurred — the “Nixon shock” of August 15, 1971. The “floating exchange rate system” that became the norm after this spurred the development of the global postwar economy. However, it has also frequently caused crises in emerging countries. Recently “digital currencies” have begun to spread, and there are signs that the reserve currency system based on the dollar may be changing. How will the future of currency impact the global economy?

Continue reading Currency adrift – 50 years after the “Nixon shock” →

nikkei – Feb. 21 marks the 50th anniversary of U.S. President Richard Nixon’s trip to China, a turning point in international relations.

Washington and Beijing joined together to counter the Soviet Union, but China did not democratize as the U.S. hoped. It has now become an economic and military powerhouse under the one-party rule of the Communist Party. A half-century after the handshake that changed the world, cooperation has turned to confrontation. The U.S.-China relationship and global affairs have all undergone tumultuous change.

Continue reading A handshake that changed the world: 50 years after Nixon’s trip to China →

thebulletin.org

By George M. Moore | March 6, 2022

 Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. The two tall smokestacks are at a coal-fired generating station about 3km beyond the nuclear plant. Photo credit: Ralf1969 via Wikimedia Commons.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine began to unfold, Russia’s swift occupation of the Chernobyl reactor complex and the surrounding exclusion zone sparked widespread speculation and concern.[1] The concern was not limited to whether the occupation would cause further radioactive release from Chernobyl;[2] it also included possible Russian military action against other Ukrainian nuclear facilities. These fears were further accelerated when Russian forces shelled and apparently occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power complex near Enerhodar, Ukraine.[3] There have also been reports of attacks on a former Radon disposal site near Kyiv.[4]

Continue reading How international law applies to attacks on nuclear and associated facilities in Ukraine →

New Delhi has been silent on Russia’s actions in Ukraine so far.

thediplomat – By Sudha Ramachandran – February 25, 2022

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 has put India in a particularly difficult spot. Since the conflict between Moscow and the U.S. over Ukraine began escalating late last year, India has avoided taking sides. But with Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, that cautious approach will become increasingly untenable for New Delhi. It could hurt India’s interests in the long-run.

Continue reading India’s ‘neutrality’ on the Ukraine conflict could hurt it in the long run →

usnews – By Reuters – March 6, 2022, at 7:29 a.m.

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan leave after their joint news conference following the talks in Moscow, Russia March 5, 2020. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Sunday to declare a ceasefire in Ukraine, open humanitarian corridors and sign a peace agreement, his office said.

NATO member Turkey shares a maritime border with Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea and has good ties with both. Ankara has called Russia’s invasion unacceptable and offered to host talks, but has opposed sanctions on Moscow.

Continue reading Erdogan urges Putin to declare Ukraine ceasefire, make peace →

Recent public pushback shows that Vladimir Putin could be meeting his match – not just with Ukrainians, but also his own people who are tiring of constant wars.

usnews – By Elliott Davis Jr. – March 4, 2022, at 5:00 a.m.

Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest against Russia’s attack on Ukraine in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Feb. 27. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Russian President Vladimir Putin might not have predicted the resistance he has seen since he ordered an invasion of Ukraine.

But it’s not just the Ukrainian people who are putting up a surprising fight.

Continue reading Putin’s War at Home →

Ukraine nuclear power plant attack: All you need to know

aljazeera.com

Russian troops seize Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, after attack sparks fire.

Published On 4 Mar 20224 Mar 2022

Russian forces have captured Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, according to regional officials.

Ukrainian authorities said on Friday Russian shelling had caused a fire at a building in the plant complex that was later put out. The blaze raised alarm from leaders worldwide of a potential massive disaster. Russia blamed the attack on Ukrainian saboteurs, calling it a “monstrous provocation”.

Continue reading Russian troops seize Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine →

cnbc – MON, FEB 28 20224:18 AM

People paint over a Soviet Army monument with Ukrainian flag colors in Bulgaria, February 27, 2022. Nikolay Doychinov | Afp | Getty Images

The following commentary was authored by 10 ambassadors and high commissioners resident in Singapore:

• Kateryna Zelenko, Ukrainian Ambassador to Singapore
• William Hodgman, High Commissioner of Australia to Singapore
• Jean-Dominique Ieraci, High Commissioner of Canada to Singapore
• Iwona Piórko, European Union Ambassador to Singapore, on behalf of the ambassadors to Singapore of all EU member states
• Jun Yamazaki, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore
• Jo Tyndall, High Commissioner of New Zealand to Singapore
• Eivind S. Homme, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Singapore
• Mehmet Burçin Gönenli, Ambassador of Turkey
• Kara Owen, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Singapore
• Jonathan Kaplan, United States Ambassador to Singapore

The EU, G-7, Allies, and partners are united in denouncing Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified attack against Ukraine.

Continue reading Freedom will prevail in Ukraine →

24/02/2022 17:41 GMT+7

TTO – Tiền đề dẫn đến căng thẳng giữa Nga và Ukraine, đỉnh điểm là “chiến dịch quân sự đặc biệt” của Nga ở đông Ukraine sáng 24-2, không xảy ra trong một sớm một chiều. Đây là kết quả của tương tác chính trị giữa 2 nước trong suốt 30 năm qua.

Thiết giáp Nga tập trận gần biên giới Ukraine tháng 12-2021 – Ảnh: SPUTNIK

Quãng đường 30 năm có thể chia làm 3 giai đoạn, mỗi giai đoạn kéo dài một thập niên với những sự kiện bước ngoặt riêng. Đài DW của Đức tóm tắt như sau:

Continue reading 30 năm dẫn đến xung đột Nga – Ukraine →

 

 

United States Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
February 25, 2022

Joint Statement Following a Vote on a UN Security Council Resolution on Russia’s Aggression Toward Ukraine

The following is a joint statement as delivered by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, on behalf of Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

This afternoon, the Security Council voted on a resolution to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine, to protect civilians, including children, and call for the facilitation of rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance to those in need.

This resolution was vital and straightforward. Fundamentally, it was about whether the countries on the Security Council – charged with maintaining international peace and security – believe in upholding the UN Charter.

The UN Charter was written with the express purpose of preventing a war like the one President Putin just started. This war has brought, in just its first days, devastating losses of life – and Russia alone is accountable.

President Putin chose to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty. President Putin chose to violate international law. President Putin chose to violate the UN Charter. President Putin chose to drop bombs on Kyiv, to force families to stuff their lives into backpacks and shelter in subway stations. President Putin is the aggressor here. There is no middle ground.

We believe we have a particular responsibility to stand up to this violation of the UN Charter because Russia is a Permanent Member of the Security Council who is culpable. Those of us standing here today continue to believe in the Security Council’s solemn duty and highest purpose – to prevent conflict and avert the scourge of war.

Russia has abused its power today to veto our strong resolution. But Russia cannot veto our voices. Russia cannot veto the Ukrainian people. Russia cannot veto their own people protesting this war in the streets. Russia cannot veto the UN Charter. Russia cannot, and will not, veto accountability.

We thank the Member States who signed on as co-sponsors of this resolution for standing with Ukraine and with the UN Charter today.

We will be taking this matter to the General Assembly, where the Russian veto does not apply and the nations of the world will continue to hold Russia accountable.

###

By United States Mission to the United Nations | 25 February, 2022

Fifty countries issue joint statement saying Russia abused its power in vetoing UN Security Council resolution

CNN

Fifty counties have issued a joint statement saying Russia abused its veto power by blocking a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The statement was read aloud by the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, after Friday’s meeting of the Security Council in New York City.

Thomas-Greenfield was joined at the podium by representatives of many of the countries who signed on to the statement.

“Those of us standing here today continue to believe in the Security Council’s solemn duty and highest purpose – to prevent conflict and avert the scourge of war,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “Russia has abused its power today to veto our strong resolution.”

Some context: Earlier Friday, Russia used its veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council to block the resolution from being adopted. 11 countries voted in favor of adopting. China, India, and the UAE abstained. 

 

 

 

 

TRÚC ANH 25/2/2022 6:10 GMT+7

TTCT – Nhà tù kiểm duyệt sách đã đành, ngay ở chốn học đường, chuyện cấm sách cũng đã liên tục diễn ra trong hơn một thế kỷ qua ở Mỹ, nhân danh bảo vệ trẻ em. Làn sóng đó đã trở lại và vẫn tiếp diễn, từ cuối 2021 đến nay.

Tại Tennessee, nơi những quyển sách văn học hư cấu bị vùi trong lửa, hội đồng trường học quận McMinn hồi cuối tháng 1 yêu cầu cấm Maus, hồi ký dưới dạng truyện tranh về nạn diệt chủng Holocaust của tác giả Art Spiegelman, lưu hành trong trường học. Các quan chức giáo dục McMinn cho rằng họ không phản đối chuyện dạy về thảm sát, nhưng những lời nói tục tĩu, cảnh khỏa thân, hình ảnh bạo lực và mô tả cảnh tự tử trong Maus “quá người lớn để được dùng trong nhà trường”.

Continue reading Khi sách bị cấm ở trường học →

New York Times newsletter

A power station in Luhansk, Ukraine, after being bombed.Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Continue reading Good morning. The last round of sanctions on Russia didn’t seem to work. Will this one? →