Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

There are times when telling just part of the truth is effectively a lie.

One lie, alone, tears the fabric of reality.

“Until such time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on.”

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

Come on, man.

Our messy unity will be our strength.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires.

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

We still have time to mess this up!

You cannot love your country only when you win.

My right to basic bodily autonomy is not on the table. that’s the new deal.

You passed on an opportunity to be offended? What are you even doing here?

The Giant Orange Man Baby is having a bad day.

I am pretty sure these ‘journalists’ were not always such a bootlicking sycophants.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

The republican ‘Pastor’ of the House is an odious authoritarian little creep.

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

Dumb motherfuckers cannot understand a consequence that most 4 year olds have fully sorted out.

Trump should be leading, not lying.

You are here: Home / Foreign Affairs / War for Ukraine Day 564: Another Day Another Russian War Crime – Russia Targets Non-combatant Relief Workers in Chasiv Yar

War for Ukraine Day 564: Another Day Another Russian War Crime – Russia Targets Non-combatant Relief Workers in Chasiv Yar

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(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Russia attacked vehicles belonging to the aid NGO Road2Relief in Chasiv Yar. They killed the organization’s director, a Spanish citizen, and one of the other three volunteers with her who was a Canadian citizen. The other two volunteers, one German and one Swedish, were wounded.

Today, russian terrorists attacked a vehicle of the international humanitarian organisation Road2Relief in Chasiv Yar, killing two volunteers – the director of Road2Relief, Emma Igual, a Spanish citizen who studied at the University of California at Berkeley, and Anthony Ihnat, a Canadian citizen. Two other volunteers, both German citizens, were injured. Road2Relief’s efforts are entirely focused on civilian projects: the evacuation of civilians in war zones, medical evacuation, humanitarian aid distribution to frontline communities, and the provision of mobile clinics that assist local residents who are unable to leave their homes.
They make every effort every day to mitigate the consequences of the systematic terror of civilians by the russian occupiers. A painful, irreparable loss. Emma and Anthony will forever be in our hearts.

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

Front: over the past seven days, we have advanced – address by the President of Ukraine

10 September 2023 – 22:28

Fellow Ukrainians!

At the end of this week, it is important to say a few things. First of all, the frontline.

Over the past seven days, we have advanced.

There is movement in the Tavria directions. There is movement in the Bakhmut direction.

Kupyansk and Lyman directions, Avdiivka and Maryinka – we are holding our ground there.

I am grateful to all the warriors who make this possible! Every week, our warriors continuously keep the initiative in the hands of Ukraine.

It is Ukrainian heroism that determines how this war will end. We must all remember this.

Secondly, I want to thank all our people who have been helping to overcome the consequences of Russian shelling and rescuing people over the past week. Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk region, Donetsk region, cities of Odesa region. Thank you!

Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region. Paramedic Ruslan Hubanov, Police Lieutenant. After the Russian terrorists attacked, he rescued the wounded and pulled people out of the rubble. In total, he saved 82 people during his time on duty. Thank you, Ruslan! Police Lieutenant Oleh Sizov also works as a paramedic. He saved 153 people during his time on duty. Just imagine how many lives are saved by one person. Thank you, Oleh! Police Captain Olena Vasylenko arrives at the sites of the attacks, documents the consequences of the shelling, and helps the wounded. She herself came under artillery fire, was wounded, and returned to duty. Thank you, Olena!

And I thank the guys, the Ukrainian rescuers who were the first to arrive after the Russian attack on Kostiantynivka, on the market: firefighter-rescuer Roman Dychko, Chief Master Sergeant Denys Sukhanov, Captain of the Civil Defense Service Serhiy Chikin.

Brutal shelling of Kryvyi Rih. One person was killed. My condolences to the family… 60 wounded. I thank each and every one of you who helped save people! And I would like to especially mention Vadym Kuchkurda, Yevheniy Huba and Vladyslav Kurasov, employees of our State Emergency Service. The guys rescued three people from under the rubble. Thank you! I would also like to mention police officers Bohdan Kovalenko and Valeriy Velykyi. They were among the first to arrive at the site of the attack and began to get people out of the rubble.

Sumy. Police Senior Lieutenant Yaroslav Kuts arrived at the site of the Russian shelling and quickly extinguished the fire in close proximity to people trapped under the rubble. I thank you for this speed, Yaroslav! I would also like to recognize the employees of the Sumy region’s State Emergency Service: Sergeants of the Civil Defense Service Pavlo Zhuk and Ihor Tokarenko, and Colonel of the Civil Defense Service Serhiy Halat. Thank you guys for saving the lives of our people!

Odesa region, the city of Kiliya. Andriy Nosov, Andriy Mosienko, Andriy Vasylenko – our firefighters. Thank you, guys! The city of Reni. I would like to recognize a police officer, Major Denys Bandarenko. After the Russian attack by “Shaheds”, he saved four people, provided them with medical care and took them to the hospital. I thank you, Denys!

I also thank every Ukrainian doctor, every nurse and all Ukrainian combat medics who save the lives of our people and restore their strength! This is truly a great job.

And one more thing.

Today, near the city of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Russian terrorists attacked a volunteer vehicle. A direct hit from an anti-tank missile system. As of this time, we know for sure that Anthony Ignat of Canada was killed. Unfortunately, Emma Igual of Spain is also likely to have been killed. My condolences to their families. Two other volunteers were taken to Dnipro hospitals – German citizen Mawick Ruben and Swedish citizen Johan Mathias – and they are being provided with the necessary assistance. This Russian shelling once again confirms how close the war against Ukraine is to everyone in the world who truly values human life and who believes it is the common moral duty of humanity to stop terror and defeat evil.

Glory to all our warriors! Glory to all our people! I thank everyone in the world who helps Ukraine survive and protect lives! We will definitely prevail!

Glory to Ukraine!

The rationalizations here should be good…

From The Financial Times: (emphasis mine)

It took until close to midnight on Friday for a handful of leading developing countries to propose their compromise. Accept this, was the pitch, or bear the consequences of a fractured G20.

After five days of gruelling discussions, the western delegates took the deal. When their bosses assembled the next day at the summit in New Delhi, the scale of their concession was made stark.

The US, EU and other western allies had agreed to remove condemnation of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine from the meeting’s communique, in exchange for pledges from all 20 states — including Russia and China — to respect territorial integrity and work towards a “just peace” for Kyiv.

“This is a climbdown,” said Sarang Shidore, director of the Quincy Institute’s Global South programme.

The degree to which the western allies were willing to compromise, despite Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Putin skipping the summit, highlighted just how keen they were to salvage the credibility of a grouping that had come under severe pressure since Russia invaded Ukraine just over 18 months ago.

“If we would be writing the text ourselves, it would be looking very different,” said a senior EU official. “It’s a process of building a global consensus. So if this means formulating compromises, then this is what . . . needs to be done.”

US officials echoed that argument. The west needed big developing countries onside to have any chance of them pressurising Russia to keep in check with global rules and achieve peace in Ukraine.

“The major economies of the world — including, by the way, Brazil, India, South Africa — are united on the need to uphold international law and for Russia to respect international law,” said Jon Finer, the deputy US national security adviser.

Russia’s lead negotiator praised the statement — which also calls for a return to the Black Sea grain deal to export Ukrainian foodstuffs that Moscow has withdrawn from — as “balanced”. Ukraine, however, condemned the shift in rhetoric as “nothing to be proud of”.

Having accepted that they cannot force Putin to back down alone, the New Delhi declaration represents the most far-reaching effort by Washington, Brussels and other western capitals to forge a shared position with the world’s most powerful developing economies.

It is also a largely unexpected win for Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, who is facing national elections next year. Modi’s decision to parlay his rotating G20 presidency into a year-long platform to promote India’s culture, foreign policy goals, and ambition to serve as a leader of the so-called Global South developing countries has paid off, analysts said.

“Washington clearly has gone the extra mile to ensure that its burgeoning and increasingly close partner India was not embarrassed with what would otherwise have been the first G20 without a joint declaration,” Shidore said.

“There were question marks about the future of the G20. And I think India’s strong leadership has preserved the G20,” the senior EU official said.

Western diplomats argued that their willingness to compromise on dropping the reference to Russian “aggression” had ensured China and others agreed to wording on stopping attacks on infrastructure, restoring the Black Sea grain deal, and upholding territorial integrity.

However, other western delegates claimed this weekend’s compromise will aid their efforts to persuade developing nations to pressure Moscow into ending the war. Their negotiating partners would now go back to their capitals with pledges on preserving Ukraine’s territory and infrastructure in mind.

“It’s not the end of the discussion,” the senior EU official added. “But it’s another stepping stone in the right direction.”

Next year’s G20 is in Brazil. Its president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva courted controversy late on Saturday when he said Putin could travel to Rio de Janeiro without fear of reprisal, despite being the subject of an international arrest warrant.

“What I can tell you is that if I am president of Brazil and he goes to Brazil there is no way he will be arrested,” Lula, who has repeatedly accused the US and EU of “encouraging” the war in Ukraine, told local media in India.

This section:

US officials echoed that argument. The west needed big developing countries onside to have any chance of them pressurising Russia to keep in check with global rules and achieve peace in Ukraine.

And this one:

Next year’s G20 is in Brazil. Its president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva courted controversy late on Saturday when he said Putin could travel to Rio de Janeiro without fear of reprisal, despite being the subject of an international arrest warrant.

“What I can tell you is that if I am president of Brazil and he goes to Brazil there is no way he will be arrested,” Lula, who has repeatedly accused the US and EU of “encouraging” the war in Ukraine, told local media in India.

Are in complete opposition.

This agreement IS ABSOLUTELY FUCKING TERRIBLE!!!! Russia is not going to be constrained by it and neither is the PRC. Brazil’s position before and during the summit regarding how they’re going to deal with Putin and Russia indicates that the document isn’t even overcome by events (OBE) because the events preceded the summit communique’s drafting. This isn’t diplomacy, this is strategic incoherence. The US and our EU allies should be ashamed of themselves. All they’ve done here is given Russia and Putin a win while pumping up Modi who is a Hindu religious extremist that if given a chance will further degrade India into an illiberal democracy. No communique would have been better than this.

Novoprokopivka:

Robotyne:

Avdiivka:

Bakhmut Axis:

Kyiv:

For the Russian military equipment goes kablooey enthusiasts:

Commenter Feathers sent along the following:

Long time reader and commenter (Feathers) first time emailer. Thanks again for all you do on keeping the invasion of Ukrainian and the Russian war on the West front and center in people’s minds.

I just read last night’s post, saw that yesterday was Ukraine’s Sports Day. By happy coincidence, Iryna Pidgaina and Artem Koval, one of Ukraine’s junior ice dance teams (the under-18 division, but taken very seriously) won the Junior Grand Prix competition in Istanbul. The Grand Prix is the top level competition series in each division.

Attempts Larry King voice:

Poughkeepsie hello!

More seriously, here’s what Feathers sent along:

The video of the Ukrainian ice dancers performance:

The playing of the Ukrainian national anthem at the award ceremony:

The post performance and post awarding of the gold medal interview, which is in English so no subtitles needed:

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There’s a new slide show at Patron’s official TikTok. The slideshows don’t embed here, so click across to see it.

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

57Comments

  1. 1.

    Gin & Tonic

    No communique would have been better than this.

    As I said last night.

    And this morning, since my dear wife likes to have the TV on for background noise, I heard Antony Blinken on Jake Tapper’s show. Made me want to puke. Was waiting for him to say “Peace for our time.”

  2. 2.

    Anonymous At Work

    Modi and Lula and others trying to “court” Putin.  Do they think he’ll reciprocate if they were in danger?  Do they think that NATO and others will “forget” that they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Iran and Russia after this is over?  Or will NATO and others try to paper over the past to be “diplomatic”?

  4. 4.

    eversor

    Russia’s support in America came straight out of the churches but we can’t talk about that here.  Christians dragged the GOP and FOX along with them to it.  Ya’ll walking straight into the mass graves while stomping your feet and screaming “conservatism, republicanism, white people, rich people, masculinity, but NOT CHRISTIANITY” when the giant monster staring you down is the cross and the bible and until you get that through your heads we are all fucking doomed and voting and activism is a worthless and laughable joke.

    You’re either anti Christian or you are pro fascist and anti human.  There is no more middle ground and that’s either going to result in dealing with Christians as we do the worst of the worst or a blood bath where who knows what side wins.  But Christianity cannot exist alongside freedom, democracy, or rights.

  5. 5.

    Adam L Silverman

    @eversor: Actually I’ve written about the Russian-American white Evangelical connection several times here. All those Russian Duma members, siloviki, oligarchs, and Bratva leaders weren’t coming to the national and regional prayer breakfasts because they had the best bacon and pancakes on the planet. They were coming to infiltrate and influence.

  12. 12.

    Alison Rose

    Oh great, the bigot had to show up here, too. Well, at least I get to see lots of pictures of yummy and/or cute things. But could someone at least go to their house and break all their fingers so they can’t type out their disgusting swill anymore.

    ANYWAY.

    I like those tweets from MacDonald. I think “unsane” is a far better way to think about putin than “insane”. It works for a number of GOPers, too. Although if he does ever end up dragged to The Hague, I wonder if he’d fake going full Blackadder-wibble to try to get out of punishment.

    Olena Zelenska’s speech a few days ago at the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen was really lovely (has English subtitles).

    Thank you as always, Adam. Too bad the thread had to be poisoned by someone who thinks even this is a fine place to take a dump.

  13. 13.

    Chetan Murthy

    @Alison Rose: Two quotes came to mind:

    1. “a fanatic is one who can neither change the subject, nor change his mind”
    2. Prince Feisal: With Major Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me, it is merely good manners. You may judge which motive is the more reliable.
  17. 17.

    Adam L Silverman

    @eversor: & @Ksmiami: Both of you: dial it back! If you can’t find other ways to express what you want to express in your comments, you’re going to get a time out. Is that clear?

  19. 19.

    Bill Arnold

    Don’t know how reliable this person is, but maybe (and 100k followers):

    I reached out to a source close to the Ukrainian drone programme about these claims. They confirmed Starlink had been previously enabled in the area in question – which is why Ukraine had used USVs that relied on Starlink for navigation – and that Musk had “turned it off”. https://t.co/144TXjdjyE— Jimmy Rushton (@JimmySecUK) September 10, 2023

    This aligns with the original E. Musk interview in the book, and is also consistent with how one conducts actual operations; testing that Starlink works in the areas being involved in the planned attack(s) would have been normal procedure. Whether Ukraine makes hay of it is their choice; Musk is thin-skinned and vindictive, which is a key consideration.

  20. 20.

    oldster

    For a palate cleanser, have a look at the kids ice-dancing.

    It’s not a sport I follow, but it’s nice to see them swooping around.

    Poor young things — I think they get a bit tired towards the end of their program!

    Humans are not always horrible. That’s worth keeping in mind.

  21. 21.

    Rocks

    @Ksmiami: Though you have a florid way of expressing yourself, you raise an important point.  Suppose the Russian government does collapse – what happens to the almost 6,000 nuclear warheads that they possess?  I’m sure President Biden and the DOD are thinking about it and gaming out different scenarios.  I’m equally sure Donal Trump is trying to figure out how to monitize them by selling them to Elon Musk.

  22. 22.

    Tony G

    “Leftists” “Medea” Benjamin and Christ Hedges support this murder.  They should be reminded of that fact every day until they die.

  26. 26.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Bill Arnold: Rushton is legit. He’s also quoting Oliver Carroll of The Economist who reported on this back in March. It was Carroll and his reporting that I was referring to last night in regard we had an actual journalist report on this last Spring.

    This is, by the way, exactly what Walter Isaacson originally wrote – both in his biography of Elon Musk, and in an op-ed for the Washington Post, promoting said book.https://t.co/lGbK46wxGH pic.twitter.com/E0ivtHL9CD— Jimmy Rushton (@JimmySecUK) September 10, 2023

    See for example https://t.co/SI58rCpN6m— Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) September 10, 2023

  30. 30.

    Yarrow

    Thank you Adam, as always. The Patron slide show is very cute. Mostly puppy pictures. Awww…. Congrats to the ice dancers.

  32. 32.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Ksmiami: That is also a good comment. I get that you’re angry and frustrated. You’re not the only one. All I’m saying is that if our actual Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American commenters can keep it civil so can you.

  33. 33.

    xephyr

    Needless to say, Putin is a vile piece of crap impersonating a human being. A pox on his house and all who support him, domestic and otherwise.

  35. 35.

    Carlo Graziani

    Kofman and Lee are right. I hadn’t noticed it in the various drone-kaboom videos until they pointed it out, but the offensive really is a “war of treelines.” There appear to be large stands of trees by every road shown in those videos, which the Russians use for concealment, covering approaches from roads and open fields, and hiding to the extent possible from drones.

    Another WWII echo, in a limited way, perhaps: Hedgerow Country in the Norman battlefield was another case of extensive vegetation shaping the tactics of the armies locked in a close-quarters infantry struggle.

  36. 36.

    YY_Sima Qian

    I think the West has this backwards. It is absolutely critical to get the Global South countries on side, away from any tilt toward Russia (& at least contest Chinese influence). However, the way to do so is to positive address the issues central to the Global South countries – developmental needs, debt relief, AGW mitigation, investment & tech transfer. Be seen as credible & reliable partners that center the agency & needs of Global South countries (i’.e., their priorities), & the West is more likely to gain support from these countries on the West’s priorities. Global South countries want to be wooed by all of the great powers, rather than putting their eggs in any one basket.

    (Along these lines, the US-EU-KSA-UAE-India deal to construct a railway across the Arabian Peninsula that was announced on the sidelines of the G20 Summit is interesting. However, I am not sure about the larger economic rationale of such a line for India & the EU. & as China, Türkiye, South Korea & Japan are not involved, I am not sure who will build such a line in a timely or cost effective manner.)

    OTOH, to compromise on issues central to the West, the same ones that are largely peripheral to the Global South (except in its 2nd & 3rd order effects), is not effective. & Modi does not strike me as someone who remembers & returns favors. His religio- & ethno-nationalism is evident from using Bharat in place of “India” at official G20 functions. Better not to have included Ukraine in the statement at all, & instead cover only the topics where there is actually some degree of global agreement (or at least performative gestures in that direction).

    The reason the US is bending over backwards to accommodate Modi (& the Vietnamese Communist regime, as Biden is in Hanoi) is obvious – Great Power Competition w/ China. In service of the Great Power Competition, the US is quite prepared to overlook Indian human rights abuses in Kashmir that is reminiscent of Chinese ones in Xinjiang, or that the the current VCP leader (Trong) has consolidated a personalized leadership w/ elevated securitocracy reminiscent of Xi (& in his 3rd term, too). While sensible realpolitik, the U.S. does not have to genuflect quite so much to achieve the needed collaboration from India or Vietnam. Counterbalancing the PRC are in their vital national interests (but not Cold War-like emnity/decoupling, or choosing sides). Or the U.S. can dial back the “democracy vs. autocracy” framing that supposedly guides its “values based” diplomacy.

  37. 37.

    Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom

    Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada fought against the releasing of that statement &, as a Canadian, I’m proud of that. He made it clear he doesn’t like Modi & since I don’t either I’m pretty pleased with that too. You can read about the rest of the shenanigans for yourself, if you’re so inclined.

    I am outraged about the deaths of innocent civilian volunteers!😡 How many fucking Russian war crimes have there been? I hope someone is keeping track! This makes the release of that mealy mouthed statement even worse. Oh, & fuck Lula! I don’t care how much he’s done to protect the Amazon. Just brushing aside international law & war crimes doesn’t make you a statesman. It makes you an entitled arsehole.

    Thank you, Adam for all  you do. Your blunt commentary alone would make these updates worth reading.

  39. 39.

    Betty

    Grateful for the respite provided by the ice dancers. Talented young people representing their country well.

  40. 40.

    YY_Sima Qian

    @Villago Delenda Est: The US did this as a favor to Modi, taking advantage of the fact that Xi had sent Premier Li Qiang to New Delhi instead (which Modi probably interprets as a snub), & if it gets anything in return it will not be wrt Russia, but w/ China.

  41. 41.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom: I read the Indian readout of Trudeau’s meeting with Modi. It is ugly. Other Indian government officials have been on social media rubbing the noses of Ukraine, the US’s, and the other states supporting Ukraine in the fact that India dictated the terms of the statement and that statement didn’t condemn Russia. I’ll include some in tomorrow night’s update.

  42. 42.

    Adam L Silverman

    @YY_Sima Qian: The US will not get anything in return. Modi’s catspaws are all over social media rubbing the US’s nose in the statement language and taking victory lap that India has managed to get one over on the US.

  43. 43.

    Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom

    @Adam L Silverman: Thank you. Sometimes words truly fail me, & I’m left struggling not to cry. I’m so proud of our prime minister standing up to that horrible man. (Ask Schrodinger’s Cat what she thinks of Modi.) The deaths & injuries to the volunteers, one a Canadian, just darkens the whole awful business even more. Thanks again & take care.🖖

  44. 44.

    NutmegAgain

    @Gin & Tonic: Once I learned how much Blinken admires Kissinger* it’s been hard not to interpret his crap diplomacy in that light. Not saying he always does the wrong thing, but this kind of flexing a little realpolitik does have the sulphurous stink of Kissinger.   *(wrote his thesis on Hank the Crank, I believe)

  45. 45.

    Another Scott

    I’m no diplomat, but the New Delhi Declaration (37 page .pdf) seems pretty decent to me. Sure, it should be stronger on Ukraine, but it’s 20 very different countries…

    Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly (A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6) and underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety. In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.

    The listed UN resolutions condemn Putin’s invasion and his nuclear threats, and lists lots and lots of reasons why.

    (Continuing in the Declaration:)

    We call on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, and efforts to address crises as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical. We will unite in our endeavour to address the adverse impact of the war on the global economy and welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine that will uphold all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of peaceful, friendly, and good neighbourly relations among nations in the spirit of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

    Xi’s CCP continuously made a huge deal about sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, etc., in international relations (especially when it comes to their claims about Taiwan) before February 24, 2022. Pressure on China to stand behind that rhetoric elsewhere is a good thing.

    I assume this Declaration will ultimately have as much importance as the 2019 meeting in Osaka did. But getting everyone on board in New Delhi is a decent accomplishment here.

    FWIW.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  46. 46.

    Torrey

    I may be coming in too late for this request, but in last night’s thread, Lyrebird mentioned that Adam had published Tatarigami’s list of ways to help, and specifically mentioned tutoring. I’ve looked back for that information but haven’t found it. Could anyone guide me to it? (Maybe I should hold this request for tomorrow night’s Ukraine thread.)

  48. 48.

    Lyrebird

    @Torrey: And my apologies, because I mangled what I said.  Some other commenter had mentioned tutoring – it’s not on Tatarigami’s list, it’s just something I am more likely to be able to do than to donate a truck.  Wish I could do both.

    FWIW ENGin  needs English conversation partners for young adults in Ukraine, and Tutors4Ukraine needs fluent English speakers to lead online classes for small groups of Ukrainian refugees.  There are likely other orgs.  (ETA: both of these offer lesson plans.)

  49. 49.

    YY_Sima Qian

    @Adam L Silverman: In the meantime, VCP propaganda is proclaiming how Biden’s state visit is a sign of respect for Vietnam’s political system. I am pretty sure the CPC regime made similar claims when US presidents visited the PRC in the past. Of course, these comments were made to box the US into not overtly question their legitimacy or undermine their rule, to reassure the domestic populations that relations w/ the US are stable, & warn domestic dissidents that the US will prove an unreliable ally.

  50. 50.

    YY_Sima Qian

    @Another Scott:

    We will unite in our endeavour to address the adverse impact of the war on the global economy…

    That is a useful nod to matters that actually concern the Global South countries, as far as the invasion of Ukraine is concerned. However, the West needs to match words w/ deeds to have credibility. Russia exiting the Black Sea Grains deal, & attacking Ukraine’s grains export infrastructure, should present a golden opportunity, but I am not sure the US & the EU has really taken advantage. Their policymakers still do not devote nearly enough mind space/share to the Global South.

  51. 51.

    pieceofpeace

    Can’t imagine what or if I’d read about Ukraine and this horrid war, but with you, Adam, here I am, with fair to good knowledge from having this front row seat.  Thank you again.

  53. 53.

    Torrey

    @Lyrebird: ​
      Thank you for this information! It sounds well worth looking into.
    And, by way of trading information, Lutheran Social Services seems to have a good refugee organization, and they’re glad to have tutors. (Also, you don’t have to be Lutheran, or even religious. As I understand it, they keep those activities separate.)

  54. 54.

    way2blue

    I’m missing something.  Why does there even need to be a grain agreement with Russia?  Aren’t the ships transporting the grain flagged to other (non Ukrainian) countries?  So a Russian attack on them would be an attack on, again, a non Ukrainian country.  Why can’t these ships be protected (escorted if need be) by western allies?

    As far at Russia’s stepped up attack on Ukrainian ports & grain storage depots—would love to see greatly enhanced offensive strikes by Ukraine.  (But what else is new…  )

  56. 56.

    Geminid

    @way2blue: Right now, Turkiye is exercising it’s rights under the Treaty of Montreux and blocking warships from other nations into the Black Sea. But the Turkish Navy is capable of escorting grain ships from Odesa and nearby ports to the Bosphorus (and sweeping for mines).

    There were a couple days last November when it looked like Turkiye might do this, when Russia suspended the deal, but Russia backed down and rejoined.

    But for now, Erdogan is pressing for a diplomatic solution whereby Russia renews the deal. He’s not that concerned about concessions to Russia; after all, his own nation’s trade with Russia last totaled $62 billion.

    Last year though, when Russia suspended the deal,  Erdogan (and his Defense Minister) said continuation of the Grain Initiative was “a vital national interest” of Turkiye’s. That is diplomacy-speak for, “we will fight for this.”

    So now, Erdogan has to either make the deal happen, announce that Turkiye will guarantee security for grain ships, or admit that Turkiye will not maintain its vital interests.

  57. 57.

    Lyrebird

    @Torrey: Thanks, in case you look back at this, I appreciate the info!

    And yeah I have heard of Lutheran Soc. Services doing good work.  I think it’s a bit like the HIAS, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, where you don’t have to have personal ties to Hebrew or Judaism to help or to be helped.

Comments are closed.