Ing’s Peace Poems & Hope for Ukraine not to be Destroyed by Russia
Ing’s Peace Poems & Hope for Ukraine not to be Destroyed by Russia
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Ing’s Peace Poems
No More War!
Artists create sculpture for pleasure
For others to view with amusement
And thinking points for activating the brain
Farmers cultivate plants
For consumers to survive
Both are busy constructing things
For mankind
War is destructive
With tears and sadness
Let us be constructive
No more war!
No more war!!!
Ing-On Vibulbhan-Watts, Thursday, May 16, 2013, 12:06 am
The Chinese Foo Dog is guarding blackberry plants that show some buds and some little white flowers. Pretty soon I will have blackberry fruit with no pesticide.
Cultivate
Mr. Frog is playing music for our garden.
What tune are you playing sir?
I envy you sitting by beautiful Geraniums and Jade plants
Thanks for serenading our garden
Beautiful flowers and beautiful music
Make the world a happy place
Don’t fight!
Don’t fight!
There is no time to waste
“Cultivate”
Said Voltaire
Ing-On Vibulbhan-Watts, Thursday, May 16, 2013, 12:16 am
For more Information, please visit the following link:
Hope for Ukraine from not to be Destroyed by Russia
Humanity Prevails: All Democrats of the House, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and some Republican congress members in the House, The Senate and President Biden, passedthe $95 billion foreign aid package.
The Morning: Ukraine’s new hope
The New York Times<nytdirect@nytimes.com>
By German Lopez
April 22, 2024
Fighting in eastern Ukraine. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
Help is on the way
You have probably read that the war in Ukraine is a stalemate. But conditions have changed in recent months — in Russia’s favor. It has captured more territory, and it seems likely to launch a larger offensive later this spring or summer. In the meantime, Ukraine’s ability to fight back has deteriorated since the U.S. largely stopped sending aid in December.
The $60 billion in Ukraine aid that the House passed over the weekend has the potential to change the situation yet again. The Senate is likely to pass the bill in the coming days, and President Biden has signaled that he will sign it.
In today’s newsletter, I’ll explain how the aid package could affect the war.
Ukraine’s needs
American funds will help Ukraine restock two things that have played pivotal roles in the war: artillery shells and antiaircraft munitions.
The war has often revolved around artillery, which are large guns that armies use to fire explosive shells and hit targets from a great distance. Both sides have used artillery to kill troops and destroy tanks and bunkers from miles away, weakening the enemy before an attack. Artillery has also stopped advancing armies.
In recent months, though, Ukraine has started to run out of artillery shells. Russian forces have fired five to 10 times as many shells as Ukraine. “That’s just not sustainable,” my colleague Eric Schmitt, who covers national security, told me. “Ukraine would eventually have to give up territory and pull back.”
In the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Nicole Tung for The New York Times
Ukraine has also relied on antiaircraft weapons, such as U.S.-made Patriot missiles, that can shoot down planes and missiles. The threat of these weapons has kept Russia from unleashing the full might of its air force, because it fears that Ukraine would destroy its expensive planes. Russia has instead resorted to long-range missiles, and Ukraine has shot down many of them.
But Ukraine had started to run out of those munitions, too. Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Ukraine’s short supplies for its inability to stop a Russian missile barrage that killed at least 17 people north of Kyiv. “This would not have happened if Ukraine had received enough air defense equipment,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine has also relied on antiaircraft weapons, such as U.S.-made Patriot missiles, that can shoot down planes and missiles. The threat of these weapons has kept Russia from unleashing the full might of its air force, because it fears that Ukraine would destroy its expensive planes. Russia has instead resorted to long-range missiles, and Ukraine has shot down many of them.
But Ukraine had started to run out of those munitions, too. Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Ukraine’s short supplies for its inability to stop a Russian missile barrage that killed at least 17 people north of Kyiv. “This would not have happened if Ukraine had received enough air defense equipment,” Zelensky said.
What comes next
Once the aid starts arriving, Ukraine is likely to put it to work on the eastern front, where Russia has recently taken the city of Avdiivka. It could halt Russia’s recent progress and prevent much larger advances. Some analysts have worried that an undersupplied Ukraine would struggle to defend the countryside around Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, after Kyiv, and its remaining territory along the Black Sea coastline.
By The New York Times
“With more aid, Ukraine will probably be able to solidify its defenses and keep its most important cities,” said my colleague Julian Barnes, who covers intelligence and national security.
If all goes well, Ukraine could launch an offensive campaign in 2025, perhaps to retake territory in the country’s east and southeast. One important goal: to drive a wedge between Russia’s holdings in the eastern region of the Donbas and the southern peninsula of Crimea.
Ukraine’s official goal is to retake all of the Donbas and Crimea. Many experts are skeptical that Ukraine can do that, especially after last year’s disappointing counteroffensive. And some critics of the aid package argue that it won’t even allow Ukraine to stop Russia’s advance. Senator J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican, says that U.S. manufacturing can’t currently keep pace with Russian weapons production. The war simply matters more to Russia than the West, and Russia is dedicating more resources to it, these critics have argued.
Still, most experts believe the additional aid will make a meaningful difference. They worry that an easier Russian victory could encourage it to invade other countries, or encourage China to invade Taiwan, by undermining confidence in the U.S. and its allies.
The most realistic scenario for Ukraine is probably not a return to the prewar borders. The nation would be smaller, but it could retain most of its territory, then integrate itself economically and strategically with Europe. That’s a lot better than outright defeat.
For more
Ukraine is building trenches and laying obstacles called dragon’s teeth to fend off Russian attacks. These graphics show the defenses.
The Donbas region was an industrial hub for Ukraine. It’s now the focal point for Russia’s ground offensives.
1 big thing: Speaker’s historic road-to-Kyiv conversion
Speaker Johnson speaks at the Capitol after yesterday’s historic votes. Photo: Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did something rarely, if ever, seen in the MAGA era when he won passage yesterday of a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, Axios’ Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen write in the Behind the Curtain column.
· He defied the loudest, most threatening GOP personalities, dug deep into government intelligence — and shifted his position on the most vital foreign policy legislation in years.
Why it matters: It’s hard to overstate the importance of Johnson’s road-to-Kyiv political conversion. He not only shifted his own position on funding and arming Ukraine, but defied a majority of his party to do it.
· Oh, and he risked his speakership to pull it off.
The big picture: In an era of tribal politics and congressional dysfunction, the country witnessed a rare triumph of consequential bipartisanship. If you’re a fan of both sides working together to do hard things, this was it.
· The other three top congressional leaders — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) — pushed Johnson on how Russia would expand its war beyond Ukraine absent new weapons. Jeffries called it a “Churchill or Chamberlain moment.”
· President Biden’s national security team, most importantly CIA Director Bill Burns, methodically walked Johnson through the damning intelligence.
The intelligence was so eye-opening to Johnson that he soon begged colleagues to go to the secure government chamber to see it themselves, the N.Y. Times reported
Johnson, 52, a new leader with predictable early stumbles, didn’t just roll over. He prayed. He then helped pull together a package of other national security imperatives, including funding Israel and banning TikTok, to help the medicine go down for his angriest party members.
Reality check: Yes, this was messier and more time-consuming than necessary. But given the current dynamics among House Republicans, and where things stood a few short weeks ago, it’s a wonder it happened at all.
The end result: Johnson passed the Ukraine bill with a majority of Republicans against it, but other parts with sweeping majorities.
Lost in the headlinesover Ukraine: Funding for Israel and the Indo-Pacific + the TikTok ban passed by extraordinarily wide margins.
All these votes underscore how Jeffries, leader of House Dems, is an unsung hero in all of this — the only one to deliver majorities of his members on every bill. In many ways, he’s Johnson’s savior.
Speaker Johnson’s notes while talking to reporters yesterday. Photo: Nathan Howard/Getty Images
Zoom in: Focus on Ukraine for a minute, though. Republicans have a long history of never, ever allowing a vote on something most in the GOP opposed. So, jamming this through was all the more stunning.
Some of the most powerfulGOP committee chairs voted against Johnson on Ukraine.
The three House GOP chairs of the Biden impeachment inquiry— Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), James Comer (R-Ky.) and Jason Smith (R-Mo.) — all voted no.
So didHomeland Security Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) and GOP leadership member and Trump ally Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).
The other side: Johnson is “a real Reagan Republican. It reminds me of Reagan’s handling of Gorbachev,” Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.) told Axios.
The bottom line: This Congress has been a hot mess. Republicans have spent as much time firing or threatening to fire their leader as legislating. But this was an interruption of historic import. Ukraine will get its weapons, Israel its financial assistance and TikTok its reckoning.
House Speaker Mike Johnson discusses the foreign aid package. (Drew Angerer/AFP/Getty Images)
the weekend that was
House Democrats joined Republicans to pass a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region. The measures now go to the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson defied the right flank of his party to shepherd the legislation through.
President Joe Biden signed a bill that reauthorizes a key surveillance authorityafter the Senate passed the legislation despite a contentious debate over privacy concerns, avoiding a lapse in th
e controversial program.
The News York Times: BREAKING NEWS May 8, 2024
Kenny Holston/The New York Times
Johnson Survives Greene’s Ouster Attempt as Democrats Join G.O.P. to Kill It
Speaker Mike Johnson easily batted down an attempt by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia to oust him from his post, after Democrats linked arms with most Republicans to fend off the effort.
Russian forces unleashed a nighttime barrage of more than 50 cruise missiles and explosive drones at Ukraine’s power grid Wednesday, targeting a wide area in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a “massive” attack on the day the country celebrates the defeat of Nazism in World War II. Read More.
In Ukraine, thousands more civilians have fled Russia’s renewed ground offensive on the northeastern front. Kyiv has sent reinforcements to the border of the Kharkiv region where there are intense battles with artillery and mortar fire. Russia says it has captured several villages. Ukraine’s military chief admitted the situation is difficult but said his forces are doing everything to hold defensive lines and positions. #ukrainerussiawar#kharkiv#ukraine Chapters 00:00 Situation at Ukraine’s Kharkiv front 02:16 Marina Miron, War Studies Department at King’s College London Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutsche… For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ Follow DW on social media: ?Facebook: / deutschewellenews ?Twitter: / dwnews ?Instagram: / dwnews ?Twitch: / dwnews_hangout Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: / dwdeutsch
The Ukrainian military has conceded that Russian troops are making gains along its northeastern border. Their advance deeper into the Kharkiv region has prompted fears among Western allies of a major assault on Ukraine’s second-largest city. …
4:10 mins
Ukraine says situation worsening in Kharkiv | BBC News
Ukraine says there is heavy fighting taking place in Kharkiv, as Russia intensifies its attacks on the region. This follows Friday’s surprise incursions across the border, seizing at least nine villages and settlements in one of the most significant ground attacks since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have fled towards Kharkiv, and there are concerns among Ukrainian commanders about what could happen if Russian forces get within artillery range of the city. Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov said Russia was deliberately trying to stretch the front line by attacking in small groups in new directions. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog Read more on the BBC News website: https://bbc.in/4agYXmr#Kharkiv#Ukraine#BBCNews
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45:28 mins
Could Russia take Ukraine’s second city? Putin on the offensive • FRANCE 24 English
Moscow reopening a new front with the taking of villages near Kharkiv. Could fresh ammo and military hardware pledged by NATO allies arrive too late? Moscow’s spring offensive taking form as Vladimir Putin replaces defense minister Sergei Shoigu with another Kremlin loyalist… Andrei Belousov, the deputy prime minister in charge of the economy. Why the reshuffle? In a nation that’s fully embraced the transition to a war economy, what prospects as Russia’s president embarks on a fifth term…and what prospects for an outmanned and outgunned Ukraine which for the sake of its own survival can neither afford to keep fighting nor to embrace peace on Putin’s terms. #Ukraine#Russia#Kharkiv ? Subscribe to France 24 now: https://f24.my/YTen ? LIVE – Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: https://f24.my/YTliveEN ? Read the latest International News and Top Stories: https://www.france24.com/en/ Like us on Facebook: https://f24.my/FBen Follow us on X (Twitter): https://f24.my/Xen Browse the news in pictures on Instagram: https://f24.my/IGen Discover our TikTok videos: https://f24.my/TKen Get the latest top stories on Telegram: https://f24.my/TGen
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Russia’s new Defense Minister Belousov brought in to clean up shop? | DW News
President Vladimir Putin has replaced his defense minister Sergei Shoigu in a dramatic shakeup of his national security. Shoigu’s replacement is Andrei Belousov – an economist and former deputy prime minister. Shoigu, who oversaw Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will now run the National Security Council. Interviews and analysis with DW’s Russia Analyst Konstantin Eggert and Justin Crump, CEO of the intelligence consultancy Sybilline. 00:00 Intro 00:28 Interview Konstantin Eggert 04:51 Interview Justin Crump #russia#shoigu#belousov Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutsche… For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ Follow DW on social media: ?Facebook: / deutschewellenews ?Twitter: / dwnews ?Instagram: / dwnews ?Twitch: / dwnews_hangout Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: / dwdeutsch
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PBS News weekly
6.54 mins
Former NATO chief on what’s at stake as U.S. debates military aid for Ukraine
Ukraine has “no chance” of fending off Russia without aid from the U.S. That was the desperate message from President Zelenskyy in an exclusive interview with PBS NewsHour’s Amna Nawaz this week. After two years of fighting, Ukraine finds itself outmanned, outgunned, and losing territory to Russia’s relentless assault. We take a look at Amna’s conversation with Zelenskyy and explore the the struggle in Congress over U.S. military aid in this episode of PBS News Weekly. Subscribe: Newsletters: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/subscribe PBS NewsHour podcasts: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG Find more from PBS NewsHour at https://www.pbs.org/newshour Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2HfsCD6 Follow us: TikTok: / pbsnews Twitter: / newshour Instagram: / newshour Facebook: http://www.pbs.org/newshour
12:10.24 mins
Zelenskyy makes his case to Congress for more U.S. aid in Ukraine’s fight against Russia
By German Lopez
Zoom in: Focus on Ukraine for a minute, though. Republicans have a long history of never, ever allowing a vote on something most in the GOP opposed. So, jamming this through was all the more stunning.
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