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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 18, 2023 18:00:56 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 18, 2023 18:00:56 GMT

Sept 16, 2023 11:11:37 GMT @420broman said:

Yeah! We've still got a lot of Ukrainians lined up to sacrifice on the altar of "democracy." Why would we want to interfere with THEIR right to sacrifice themselves for OUR national interests?? (Ignore that the sacrifices have to be hunted down and forced to the front...nothing to see there.)

Only interfering with the rights of the people who can't afford to leave:

Ex-deacon accused of disguising men as missionaries to avoid conscription in Ukraine

Odysseus
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 19, 2023 7:50:46 GMT

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Post by Odysseus on Sept 19, 2023 7:50:46 GMT

Sept 18, 2023 17:58:57 GMT demos said:

Sept 16, 2023 5:02:04 GMT Odysseus said:

OK, I might be misunderstanding, but if the concerned nations (Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) are allowed to continue to ban their consumption of Ukrainian grain, as long as they permit the transit of it to other nations, what's the problem?

These stories should answer your question:

Farm trade dispute creates rift between Ukraine and allies

A dispute over agricultural trade created a rift on Monday between Ukraine and some its strongest allies in the European Union after three member states imposed unilateral measures to restrict imports from the war-torn country. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced restrictions on imports on Friday after the European Commission decided not to extend a ban on sales within Ukraine's five EU neighbours, which also include Romania and Bulgaria...

Ukraine files WTO case against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over their unilateral grain bans

Ukraine has launched legal action against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over their unilateral bans on grain exports, which it considers to be a "violation of their international obligations." "It is fundamentally important for us to prove that individual member states cannot ban the import of Ukrainian goods. That is why we are filing lawsuits against them," said Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's first deputy prime minister, in a statement...

Bulgarian farmers to pressure government to ban Ukrainian grain imports

Bulgarian grain producers are preparing to block key roads in Sofia to pressure the government to change its position and ban agricultural imports from Ukraine. Bulgarian grain producers say the state is not doing enough to help them cope with cheap Ukrainian imports and should ban imports of grain, vegetables, milk, honey and meat from the war-torn country. They want to pressure the government to force local production plants and biofuels to buy their production at prices about 15-20% higher than world markets...

As Slovakia’s trust in democracy fades, its election frontrunner campaigns against aid to Ukraine

A populist former prime minister whose party is favored to win Slovakia’s early parliamentary election plans to reverse the country’s military and political support for neighboring Ukraine, in a direct challenge to the European Union and NATO, if he returns to power... More recently, shipments of Ukrainian grain have crossed the border, much to the unhappiness of local farmers, who say it’s undercutting their markets. When an EU deal to keep Ukrainian grain in transit and out of local markets lapsed earlier this month, Slovakia said it would extend its own ban on imports until the end of the year...

And more globally:

Biden, at U.N., faces a tough sell on extending support for Ukraine

President Biden has a clear agenda for this week’s annual meeting of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly here in New York: Maintain robust global support for Ukraine... The conflict’s toll on food and energy prices has accelerated calls in the developing world for a negotiated settlement. And support among the American public has been slipping as a segment of the Republican Party criticizes the war effort’s estimated $73 billion price tag...

What would be most helpful would be a simple paragraph explaining what is going on in that part of the world.

“Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.” ― George Bernard Shaw

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 19, 2023 14:42:23 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 19, 2023 14:42:23 GMT

Sept 19, 2023 7:50:46 GMT Odysseus said:

What would be most helpful would be a simple paragraph explaining what is going on in that part of the world.

This issue was already straining relationships within the EU and between Ukraine and its neighbors. With the WTO suit, this strain is going to grow and potentially create a greater rift within the EU. It could also impact elections, such as in Slovakia, leading to changes in those states' support for Ukraine. Globally, this issue makes it harder for the US and the West to woo the Global South which was already in favor of a settlement of this conflict.

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 19, 2023 18:12:27 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 19, 2023 18:12:27 GMT

Erdogan says Turkey will 'step up' diplomatic efforts to end Ukraine war

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to increase his diplomatic efforts to seek an end to Russia's war in Ukraine in his UN address. "We have been endeavoring to keep both our Russian and Ukrainian friends around the table with a thesis that war will have no winners and peace will have no losers," Erdogan said in a speech to the General Assembly. "We will step up our efforts to end the war through diplomacy and dialogue on the basis of Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity," he added...

Coal from Russian-annexed Ukraine sold in NATO member Turkey

At least $14.3 million worth of coal produced in areas of Ukraine annexed by Russia has been exported to NATO member Turkey this year, according to Russian customs data reviewed by Reuters. Between February and July 2023, about 160,400 tonnes of coal from the annexed eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk arrived in Turkey, the data showed. Three producers listed in the customs data confirmed to Reuters they had shipped coal from the two regions to Turkey during that period...

And more on the grain issue:

Croatia won’t import Ukrainian grain, says prime minister

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said his country will not import Ukrainian grain and did not rule out a ban on such imports in line with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. "Croatia's stance and desire is that we are a transit country, not a country receiving enormous amounts of Ukrainian grain that is cheaper than ours, which would mean our farmers are in trouble," Croatian national broadcaster HINA quoted Plenković as saying...

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 20, 2023 18:22:13 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 20, 2023 18:22:13 GMT

Grain spat drags Ukraine’s ties with ally Poland to lowest point since start of Russian invasion

A dispute about whether Ukrainian grain should be allowed to enter the domestic markets of Poland and other European Union countries has pushed the tight relationship between Kyiv and Warsaw to its lowest point since Russia invaded Ukraine last year. Polish leaders have compared Ukraine to a drowning person hurting his helper and threatened to expand a ban on food products from the war-torn country. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that EU allies that are prohibiting imports of his nation’s grain are helping Russia...

Related:

Polish government raises possibility of reducing support for Ukraine over grain crisis

Poland summons Ukrainian ambassador over Zelenskiy comments

Poland ramps up Ukraine criticism ahead of elections

Why are several eastern EU members banning Ukrainian grain?

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 21, 2023 17:58:07 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 21, 2023 17:58:07 GMT

Poland is done sending arms to Ukraine, Polish leader says as trade dispute escalates

Poland’s prime minister said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine as a trade dispute between the neighboring states escalates and his populist party faces pressure from the far right in the upcoming national election. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a television interview late Wednesday that Poland is “no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons” in a military modernization plan spurred by fears of Russian aggression in the region. He did not elaborate or explain how the two actions were mutually exclusive...

Ukraine pushes for diplomatic solution with Poland, Slovakia on grain

Ukraine agreed to license its grain exports to Slovakia on Thursday and pushed for a deal with Poland to end restrictions by its neighbours on grain that it has been forced to send overland since Russia's invasion last year. Slovakia, Poland and Hungary imposed national restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports last week after the European Union executive decided not to extend its ban on imports into those countries and fellow bloc members Bulgaria and Romania...

Related:

Why is Poland stopping sending weapons to Ukraine - and what is the dispute over?

Poland says it will stop arming Ukraine. How did we get here – and what does it mean for the war?

Poland’s ruling party pivots away from Ukraine in attempt to shore up votes

Poland has provided a significant amount of aid to Ukraine.

And Slovakia is giving in to the EU and dropping its ban; that probably helps the opposition candidate.

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 22, 2023 16:52:29 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 22, 2023 16:52:29 GMT

Zelensky Seeks to Persuade More Skeptical West That Ukraine War Is Worth the Aid

Volodymyr Zelensky got the pomp and circumstance of a close ally visiting Washington, but intimate meetings with U.S. leaders couldn’t mask the new reality that Ukraine’s war with Russia is proving a tougher sell to his Western backers... Intertwined with those contentious negotiations in Washington are rising concerns in European capitals about the war, particularly if Washington’s support shows signs of flagging. While European backing for Ukraine generally remains solid, cracks are starting to surface as weapons stockpiles from some allies dwindle and others hesitate to fill the gaps...

In that vein:

Czechia struggles to finance arms for Ukraine

A shadow of 'Ukraine fatigue' hangs over Polish politics

And a blast from the past (from April 2022):

In closer ties to Ukraine, U.S. officials long saw promise and peril

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 25, 2023 17:39:37 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 25, 2023 17:39:37 GMT

Sergei Lavrov dismisses Ukraine peace plan and UN effort to revive grain deal

Russia’s foreign minister has told the UN that Ukraine’s proposed peace plan and the latest proposals to revive the Black Sea grain initiative were “not realistic”... “It is completely not feasible,” Lavrov said of a 10-point peace blueprint promoted by Kyiv. “It is not possible to implement this. It’s not realistic and everybody understands this but, at the same time, they say this is the only basis for negotiations”...

Not surprising.

Related:

Hungary PM Orban lashes out at Kyiv

Slovak election hopeful Fico: 'illusory' to deal with Ukraine's EU membership now

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 27, 2023 18:10:42 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 27, 2023 18:10:42 GMT

Some things to watch:

Slovakia’s knife-edge election to determine stance on Ukraine

Robert Fico, Slovakia’s three-time prime minister, has a chance to return to power in a closely fought early election on Saturday, raising the prospect of the central European country dropping its staunch support of neighbouring Ukraine. Fico’s SMER-SSD party has a narrow lead over liberal Progressive Slovakia (PS), which has pledged to stay the course on foreign policy, in two out of four final opinion polls...

A hard-right party gathers strength in Poland, pushing a new, less friendly course on Ukraine

Poland’s hard-right Confederation party opened its electoral campaign convention as if it were a rock concert, with a singer riding up on a motorcycle, its engine revving, and a pyrotechnic show of flames and sparklers. The party has been growing in popularity, especially among young men fed up with the political parties that have dominated Poland for most of the post-Communist era. Its convention in Katowice on Saturday, billed as its largest ahead of parliamentary elections on Oct. 15, was aimed at energizing more voters and at playing down antisemitism and other extreme views among some of its members...

See also:

With 10 Leopard 2 tanks, Sweden has given Ukraine 'all that we can'

Germany Stalling Long-Range Cruise Missile Delivery to Ukraine

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Sept 28, 2023 19:29:39 GMT

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Post by demos on Sept 28, 2023 19:29:39 GMT

Put this in the WTF category:

<excerpt> Iranian kamikaze drones used in the latest attacks on Ukrainian cities are filled with European components, according to a secret document sent by Kyiv to its western allies in which it appeals for long-range missiles to attack production sites in Russia, Iran and Syria... Among the suggestions for action by Ukraine’s western allies – at which they would probably baulk – are “missile strikes on the production plants of these UAVs in Iran, Syria, as well as on a potential production site in the Russian federation”. The document goes on: “The above may be carried out by the Ukrainian defence forces if partners provide the necessary means of destruction”... <excerpt>

Hey guys, let's expand this war to Iran, because what we really need at this point is a general conflagration across the Middle East. /sarcasm

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 2, 2023 17:34:01 GMT

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Post by demos on Oct 2, 2023 17:34:01 GMT

Pro-Russian politician wins Slovakia’s parliamentary election

A party headed by a pro-Kremlin figure came out top after securing more votes than expected in an election in Slovakia, official results show, in what could pose a challenge to NATO and EU unity on Ukraine. According to the final tallies released by Slovakia’s Statistical Office on Sunday, Robert Fico’s populist SMER party won 22.9% of the vote. Progressive Slovakia (PS), a liberal and pro-Ukrainian party won 18%...

Robert Fico doubles down on pro-Russia stance after Slovakia election win

Slovakia’s populist former prime minister, Robert Fico, who campaigned on a pledge to end military aid to Ukraine, has said his position “has not changed” after his party’s clear election win made him favourite to lead the country for a fourth time. Fico told reporters he was waiting for Slovakia’s president to give him a mandate to start forming a government – expected on Monday – after officials said on Sunday that Smer-SD had scored 22.9% in Saturday’s vote with 99.98% of ballots counted...

See also:

Slovakia: An Election Result That Embodies Ukraine Fatigue

What Slovakia's pro-Russia election result means for Ukraine

Analysis: Fico's win in Slovakia shows war fatigue in CEE but no major policy turn

jasmine
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 3, 2023 4:03:22 GMT

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Post by jasmine on Oct 3, 2023 4:03:22 GMT

Oct 2, 2023 17:34:01 GMT demos said:

Pro-Russian politician wins Slovakia’s parliamentary election

A party headed by a pro-Kremlin figure came out top after securing more votes than expected in an election in Slovakia, official results show, in what could pose a challenge to NATO and EU unity on Ukraine. According to the final tallies released by Slovakia’s Statistical Office on Sunday, Robert Fico’s populist SMER party won 22.9% of the vote. Progressive Slovakia (PS), a liberal and pro-Ukrainian party won 18%...

Robert Fico doubles down on pro-Russia stance after Slovakia election win

Slovakia’s populist former prime minister, Robert Fico, who campaigned on a pledge to end military aid to Ukraine, has said his position “has not changed” after his party’s clear election win made him favourite to lead the country for a fourth time. Fico told reporters he was waiting for Slovakia’s president to give him a mandate to start forming a government – expected on Monday – after officials said on Sunday that Smer-SD had scored 22.9% in Saturday’s vote with 99.98% of ballots counted...

See also:

Slovakia: An Election Result That Embodies Ukraine Fatigue

What Slovakia's pro-Russia election result means for Ukraine

Analysis: Fico's win in Slovakia shows war fatigue in CEE but no major policy turn

No worries. Biden will probably boost his monetary support for Ukraine to make up the difference. He’s a clown.

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 3, 2023 17:24:33 GMT

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Post by demos on Oct 3, 2023 17:24:33 GMT

Ukraine war: Western allies say they are running out of ammunition

Western military powers are running out of ammunition to give Ukraine to defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion, the UK and Nato have warned. Adm Rob Bauer, Nato's most senior military official, told the Warsaw Security Forum that "the bottom of the barrel is now visible". He said governments and defence manufacturers now had to "ramp up production in a much higher tempo"...

See also:

Small-Town Revolt Reveals Larger German Concerns About Arming Ukraine

UK has run out of arms to send to Ukraine and other countries should step in, says military chief

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 4, 2023 17:51:38 GMT

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Post by demos on Oct 4, 2023 17:51:38 GMT

Ukraine Is Losing Eastern European Allies

The weekend of September 30 marked an ominous turning point in international support for Ukraine—not just in Washington, D.C., but in two of the beleaguered country’s once-staunch supporters in Eastern Europe. On the 30th, the now former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made an eleventh-hour budget deal to avoid a government shutdown, conditional on zeroing out U.S. support for Ukraine. The same day, halfway around the world, voters in Slovakia handed a major electoral victory to the party of the corrupt, pro-Russian conspiracy theorist Robert Fico, who campaigned on the rousing slogan “Not a single round”—meaning, no more ammunition from Slovakia for Ukraine...

And more on the ammo issue:

Western ammo stocks at ‘bottom of the barrel’ as Ukraine war drags on, NATO official warns

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 5, 2023 17:30:18 GMT

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Post by demos on Oct 5, 2023 17:30:18 GMT

Backlash grows against Ukraine’s EU accession

French President Emmanuel Macron will aim to rally countries behind a historic expansion that would integrate war-torn Ukraine and several other candidate countries into the European Union during a gathering of leaders in the Spanish city of Granada that kicks off Thursday. But concerns among member states about the mechanics and viability of such a large expansion present a serious threat to a project Macron and other leaders, like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have staked their credibility upon...

European leaders say they can’t fully replace U.S. support to Ukraine as funding fears grow

European leaders said Thursday that the 27-nation bloc would not be able to fully replace U.S. support for war-torn Ukraine but made clear they were “absolutely convinced” Kyiv’s biggest financial and military backer would soon come to an agreement to provide further assistance. Gathering in Granada, Spain, for a summit of the European Political Community, European leaders sought to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine amid Russia’s full-scale invasion. The meeting comes shortly after political upheavals on both sides of the Atlantic...

MojoJojo
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 5, 2023 21:13:56 GMT

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Post by MojoJojo on Oct 5, 2023 21:13:56 GMT

I must say, one of the few "good" things coming from our dysfunctional House is that Europe knows they can't rely on the US to do all the heavy lifting for Ukraine. If they're serious about stopping Putin's aggression (more serious than the current MAGA flavored GOP here in the States) then they need to step up their game. Those closest to the issue should be contributing the most. Those far removed can help, but shouldn't be expected to do the lion's share of it.

Germany and France, I'm looking at you.

Last Edit: Oct 6, 2023 16:01:56 GMT by MojoJojo

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demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 8, 2023 15:01:27 GMT

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Post by demos on Oct 8, 2023 15:01:27 GMT

Probably could've posted this in any number of threads, but most relevant here:

The War in Ukraine Is Fraying the Global Security Order

<excerpt> But the dual crises unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh and Kosovo, while concerning in and of themselves, point to how the war in Ukraine is also fraying the global security order. The concern since the war began, and indeed one of the reasons often given for supporting Kyiv, is that if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, then Russian President Vladimir Putin will turn his sights elsewhere, with Moldova and the Baltic states often mentioned as being particularly vulnerable. That has not happened and seems unlikely to, given Russia’s difficulties in achieving a decisive military victory in Ukraine so far. But the war is nevertheless breaking down the international security order, for three reasons. </excerpt>

thor
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 9, 2023 0:13:08 GMT

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Post by thor on Oct 9, 2023 0:13:08 GMT

Oct 8, 2023 15:01:27 GMT demos said:

Probably could've posted this in any number of threads, but most relevant here:

The War in Ukraine Is Fraying the Global Security Order

<excerpt> But the dual crises unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh and Kosovo, while concerning in and of themselves, point to how the war in Ukraine is also fraying the global security order. The concern since the war began, and indeed one of the reasons often given for supporting Kyiv, is that if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, then Russian President Vladimir Putin will turn his sights elsewhere, with Moldova and the Baltic states often mentioned as being particularly vulnerable. That has not happened and seems unlikely to, given Russia’s difficulties in achieving a decisive military victory in Ukraine so far. But the war is nevertheless breaking down the international security order, for three reasons. </excerpt>

Gosh. What country invaded Ukraine again?

demos Legend Posts: 9,199	Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 9, 2023 14:25:52 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by demos on Oct 9, 2023 14:25:52 GMT Oct 9, 2023 0:13:08 GMT thor said: Gosh. What country invaded Ukraine again? If you don't know by now, I can't help you. But your sarcastic response doesn't really have much to do with the article.

demos
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Russia-Ukraine Negotiations Oct 10, 2023 17:51:00 GMT

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Post by demos on Oct 10, 2023 17:51:00 GMT

Russia backs away from treaty to give Putin option of nuclear tests

Russian MPs have been given 10 days to work out how best to revoke Moscow’s ratification of a landmark treaty banning nuclear tests, which would hand President Vladimir Putin the option to resume them. The step is viewed by some Western security analysts as a pointed reminder from Moscow that it still possesses the world’s largest nuclear arsenal at a time when it is locked in a stand-off with the West over Ukraine...