Russia – Western Edifice
April 20, 2022
Russia – Western Edifice
Padmini Arhant
The recent exit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan was largely associated by the subject as western conspiracy behind his incomplete term in office, though the development is not unique in Pakistan’s politics.
The outgoing Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan also publicly stated during the rally and address to his nation that the former administration was chided by western represented emissary viz. EU and the United States for the ex- Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow at the onset of Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The former Prime Minister Imran Khan drew parallel in this context by citing the next door neighbor and adversary India’s relation with Russia. The former Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated that economic ties between India and Russia in energy and defense procurement continued slighting western sanctions against Russia.
The former Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed disappointment and noted western discriminatory practice against his administration in particular reference to the Moscow trip on the eve of Russian invasion of Ukraine which the ex-Prime Minister and his former cabinet colleagues like the ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Quereshi said was pre-arranged diplomatic tour long before the Ukraine war.
All said and done – here are the glaring dichotomy in the entire international foreign policy.
First of all, the former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s anti-western anguish doesn’t quite fit into the backdrop of the cricket sports star who has been promoted with extravagant publicity from the United States ally Britain with enthusiastic support from Israel.
The cricket sportsman turned politician Imran khan has overwhelmingly enjoyed special favorable coverage from London all along with national media like BBC including Fleet Street fawning over the cricketer never having enough of Mr. Khan’s profile extending beyond the running commentary of first class cricket test match and international series. Although the cricketer Imran Khan led the Pakistan cricket team as the captain and not England with the latter even defeated in the final world cup tournament in 1992 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Pakistan winning the world cup that year.
As for Israel’s affinity towards Mr. Imran Khan, the sentiment is largely related to Mr.Khan’s former wife Jemima Goldsmith, the British citizen of Jewish descent and wealthy background.
The anti-west turn around from the former Prime Minister Imran Khan prior to political turmoil was conspicuously to appease China. Pakistan’s largest creditor and investor China, especially in the complex CPEC – China Pakistan Economic Corridor in Pakistan’s gwadar port is ongoing strenuous undertaking.
On the other hand, Pakistan and Russia relations basically developed following United States and NATO failure in neighboring Afghanistan which in fact is interesting considering Pakistan’s close ties with United States in the aftermath of former Soviet Union’s defeat in Afghanistan earlier. The partners were reversed as situation changed in the two Islamic states.
Russia and Pakistan conducted first joint military exercise in 2016 much to New Delhi’s angst and concern. The relation between the two countries further advanced into arms sales and military training of Pakistan soldiers by Russia in August 2018 and later in 2020 which happens to be during former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s term in office.
It is fair to say Russian defense strategy in the Indian sub-continent pivoted towards Pakistan as Moscow noted New Delhi drawn closer towards United States mostly to attract India with defense procurement from the U.S. despite India until now remains the largest buyer of defense hardware from Russia.
There is a shift in partnering in the Indian sub-continent with Moscow wooing Islamabad to convey New Delhi on Moscow’s discomfort regarding India’s intimacy with the United States in defense as well as other strategic alliance such as Quad in the Indo-Pacific.
While this is going on in South Asia, the European and Russian relation beckons focus.
The Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer visit to Russia on April 12, 2022 after direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin were described by Russian academia and scholars as follows.
“The Austrians stick to more balanced approaches than even the Germans, claiming the role of a global mediator and a negotiating platform. This is why, despite being an EU member, they refused to provide weapons to Ukraine,” Associate Professor with the Department of International Relations, Political Science and Foreign Area Studies at the Russian State University for the Humanities Vadim Trukhachev stated.”
“Austria opposes an oil and gas embargo on Moscow. Vienna depends a lot on Russia in terms of energy. Austria used to be a big advocate of Nord Stream 2. And now, they keep stressing that although they support EU sanctions, their national interests should not suffer. Those interests particularly include Russian gas supplies,” Vladimir Schweitzer, Head of the Department for Social and Political Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Europe noted.”
The major economic power in EU – Germany signed contract with Russia for gas pipeline Nord Stream 1 in 2011 and Nord Steam 2 pipeline back in 2012 during the former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s term in office.
The five large stake holders in the Nord Stream energy pipeline project are – “Shareholders of the company are the Russian gas company Gazprom (51% of shares), German companies Wintershall Dea and PEG Infrastruktur AG (E. ON) (both 15.5%), the Dutch gas company Gasunie (9%), and the French gas company Engie (9%).
OMV, about 32% of which is owned by the Austrian state, has put around 730 million euros ($813.95 million) into Nord Stream 2. The other financial investors in Nord Stream 2 are Shell (SHEL. L), France’s Engie and Germany’s Uniper (UN01.DE) and Wintershall DEA (WINT. UL)” Feb 27, 2022.
According to International Energy Agency – IEA .org
“In 2021, the European Union imported 155 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Russia, accounting for around 45% of EU gas imports and close to 40% of its total gas consumption. Nobody is under any illusions anymore. Russia’s use of its natural gas resources as an economic and political weapon show Europe needs to act quickly…said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.” – IEA Press Release – March 3, 2022.”
International news agency : “The Hungarian government opposes a ban on Russian energy supplies and will continue to defend its position at meetings of the European Union, the country’s Foreign Ministry, Peter Szijjarto said on Monday. He was taking part in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.”
It is abundantly clear from the international reports and western European energy companies stakes in Russian energy production – Nord stream 1 & 2 pipeline projects, the energy inter-dependency between Russia and EU as supplier and consumer respectively continued till date amid ongoing war in Ukraine with EU members like Austria and NATO ally Hungary defending their stance on anti-sanctions against Russian oil & energy.
Juxtaposed Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s similar position on the Moscow trip and energy deals with Moscow emphasized in Pakistan’s national interest unfortunately resulted in the Pakistan former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ouster from power.
The ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ties with Moscow synonymous to EU counterparts like Austria, Germany, Hungary and others in Western as well as eastern Europe were treated differently causing political change in the islamic state in South Asia.
Yet another contradiction among EU members is while they remain Russian energy importers quoting national requirement, their supply of arms to Ukraine from some EU states is quoted as aiding Ukraine to defend democracy. Notwithstanding they are financing Russian invasion of Ukraine via energy consumption.
Russia on its part positioned as anti-west and anti-NATO apparently has no problem in supplying energy products to any and all of them maintaining cash flow from economic activities with them amidst bombing and shelling Ukraine for over two months now.
In effect, both EU and Russia fearing security threats from each other in the region fail to realize their symmetrical role in the energy deals contributing to Russian financial resources on the one side and Russia enabling NATO military capability with Russian exported energy on the other end. There is no recognition from either in terms of self-generated security reality.
Ukraine in the middle of this predicament expected to be neutral, bare arms and bear the brunt of nuclear Russia and EU convenient economic policy.
In the whole gamut, the Ukrainian civilians are paying the price with their lives and property destroyed in Russian heavy artillery hitting every possible standing structure in Ukrainian cities and coastal towns of the once beautiful country.
Meanwhile, the western edifice is justified as necessity prioritizing economic interests over own security considering the spill over effects already experienced with Ukrainian refugees forced to flee their homeland to neighboring Poland, Hungary and Moldova…
Above all the possibility of prolonged war in Ukraine becoming the protracted battle across Europe cannot be ruled out with the status quo.
Unwise to fuel the fire for it might sooner than later engulf the entire zone.
Had EU then respected Ukraine’s economic relations with Russia in 2014 and refrained from cooperation with United States violent insurrection overthrowing Ukraine’s democratically elected incumbent government of President Viktor Yanukovich in 2014 over Kiev and Moscow economic treaty, the situation could have been economically beneficial and politically peaceful for Ukraine and eastern Europe unlike the present time.
Not to mention, the western dogma – what is good for the goose not appropriate for the gander.
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
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Ukraine Conflict – World Food Crisis
April 19, 2022
Ukraine Conflict
World Food Crisis
Padmini Arhant
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing conflict has been catastrophic not only for Ukrainian citizens but also for the rest of the world.
The food crisis is upon the world population with wheat production and exports from Russia and Ukraine to global regions drastically affected since Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
The population survival impact Russia as well. The economic repercussions outweigh any military and political goals in the war against Ukraine.
All the more reason for Russian Federation and Russian President Vladimir Putin to ceasefire in entirety ending aerial strikes, missiles, rockets and air raids besides naval and ground activities in and around Ukraine.
The immediate and urgent requirement is for Russia and Ukraine to resume peace talks with a sincere commitment to resolve the conflict peacefully through dialogue and discourse abandoning the current aggression and violence.
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
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According to International report-
Nezavisimaya Gazeta: One fifth of world’s population about to face food crisis
“The global food price index has reached historic highs as wheat prices rose by 20% in March. According to the United Nations’ estimates, the Ukrainian conflict is putting 1.7 bln people around the world at risk of hunger, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes.
“Russia is one of the major wheat exporters, accounting for about five percent of the world’s total. The special operation has sent wheat prices soaring to record highs.
Forecasts say that Ukraine’s wheat exports will halve, so the market is going to face a shortage of 9.5 million tonnes of wheat. Besides, countries may fail to receive wheat from Russia because of delivery and payment issues stemming from political reasons. Certain countries are extremely likely to face starvation.”
The overall food crisis is creating risks for Russia as well, said TeleTrade Chief Analyst Mark Goikhman. Logistics disruptions may bring down Russia’s crop exports, and accordingly, the revenues of farmers and the country’s budget will drop.
“Russia is unlikely to face food shortages but food prices may continue to rise,” Leading Analyst at Otkritie Investment Oleg Syrovatkin emphasized.”
Ukraine – End to Russian Aggression and Violence
April 11, 2022
Ukraine – End to Russian Aggression and Violence
Padmini Arhant
The post will feature relevant and critical questions seeking direct response and actions from the Russian President Vladimir Putin – the head of the Russian Federation and chief authority authorizing and conducting relentless bombing, shelling in Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Sumy leading to decimation of sovereign Ukraine.
Not to mention the grotesque violence and inhumane war crimes committed against innocent civilians in Bucha, Irpin and other towns and territories where Ukrainian population have been subject to serious human rights violations thus far with no end in sight.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022 and continued into the second month with massive destruction of lives and infrastructure.
What is the end game for the Russian President Vladimir Putin?
When is the end if at all anything along that line considered as the option in the so-called special operations from Russia evolved into endless massacre, mass graves and atrocities by distraught, disillusioned and distressed Russian forces on the ground and air deployed in the most violent aggression?
What happened to the peace talks between Ukraine and Russian teams that were in progress to mitigate the crisis?
Why is the Russian President Vladimir Putin committed to violence and prolonged bombardment of Ukraine rather than investment of resources and political will towards peaceful resolution with Ukraine?
These and more questions along with in-depth proposal to wind the Russian military intervention in Ukraine will be presented shortly.
More on the topic will resume with other content.
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
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Pakistan – Deja Vu
April 10, 2022
Pakistan – Deja Vu
Padmini Arhant
The latest development in Pakistan’s politics is nothing new. In fact it is Deja vu.
The following posts that were published earlier in this domain and sub-domain prove the repeat of events in Pakistan from 2012 replayed in 2022. The episodes again clarify the shadow powers behind political upheavals in Pakistan.
Pakistan democracy survival and sustainability is dependent on Pakistan republic i.e. the people of Pakistan’s will to reject external meddling and influence alongside letting the internal forces know such as Pakistan’s intelligence services (ISI) and army to strictly remain committed to national defense and security besides preventing domestic and cross border terrorism at all costs to save lives all around. This is the most important step moving forward with the new government now and in the future.
Pakistan’s army and intelligence owe the people of Pakistan long overdue freedom and democratic system without being brought down even before the formation of any elected government.
In the seventy five years since India’s partition in 1947, the citizens in Pakistan have been subject to perpetual freedom struggle with little or no hope to emerge and remain an independent sovereign nation. No democratically elected government is allowed to complete the entire term in office leaving Pakistan in the foreign powers’ intended status viz. the failed state and terror haven lacking in political stability without any acknowledgment from the accusers such as foreign forces involvement in Pakistan’s status.
The west has zero tolerance to foreign interference in their election or internal affairs as witnessed in the false claims in 2016 election results.
However similar respect to other nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is not considered necessary by them.
Case in point is United States led insurrection and EU direct engagement in Kiev Maidan Square in Ukraine in 2014 resulted in 2022 status quo. Pakistan and many nations near and far are ruined by western interventionist foreign policy in elections and politics.
It is about time the west recognized, appreciated and practiced the concept of mutual respect and treating others – the nations and their citizens with dignity renouncing imposition of undemocratic principles and conditions attributing vassal statehood.
Pakistan’s youth and general population at large in unison denying access to foreign intrusion in their domestic matter would be the beginning of the end to hegemony control over destiny of millions of citizens in Pakistan.
The post – Pakistan – BBC Projection on General Election was published on July 27, 2018 – Right before Pakistan’s National Election in August 2018 when PTI led by leader Imran Khan was elected to office in 2018.
Please click on the link below and then click on the hyperlink to view content. Thank you.
Pakistan – BBC Projection on General Election
Earlier, the article below was published on June 20, 2012 in reference to Pakistan’s routine political turmoil. At that time it was Pakistan People Party (PPP) government headed by then Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was under fire as elaborated in the article under.
Pakistan – Democracy Under Siege – Published on June 20, 2012.
https://www.padminiarhant.com/pakistan-democracy-under-siege/
Padmini Arhant
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Ukraine War – Double Jeopardy
April 1, 2022
Ukraine War – Double Jeopardy
Padmini Arhant
Ukraine is confronted with Russian aerial shelling on one side and simultaneously western shortcomings in supply of useful effective combat military ammunition resulting in severe damages to infrastructure and civilian areas in Mariupol and other war zones in eastern and northern Ukraine.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s cry for air defense system and artillery from the west to limit extensive bombing and air strikes by Russia is yet to be heard or noticed thus far. The Ukraine President address to all western Parliaments and Congress emphasizing the urgent need on the defensive military equipment is not being responded much to Russia’s favor in raining aerial bombardment.
Ukraine left to fend for itself without adequate military defense mechanism ranging from tanks, missiles to efficient precision air and ground anti-aircraft, counter air and air retaliation is a major factor in preventing substantial structural destruction in civilian dwellings and residential complex.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s public statement that western military delivery comprising pistols and air rifles without the above outlined heavy duty ammunition is indicative of frustration and disappointment. The weapons cache from the west apparently not provided free of cost with Ukraine charged for the military provisions in billions of dollars as per Ukrainian authority.
Accordingly, the Ukrainian military and political authority request to the west to meet the appropriate military armament for the price is reasonable and fair.
Making matters worse are the Russian energy procurement by Germany, India and others categorically ignore western sanctions and continue fueling the Russian firepower into the second month of Ukraine invasion.
In a way, Ukraine is expected to defend their sovereignty with limited or non-resourceful military power against the aggressor’s relentless air raids reducing any and every building and residential apartments to rubbles in the most disproportionate violence witnessed since Russian invasion on February 24, 2022.
The western role in this regard is significantly confined to suit western energy requirements viz. energy dependence on Russia and military deficiency in enabling Ukraine to mitigate aerial bombing and cluster munitions dropped on Ukraine.
The west and others’ energy imports from Russia alongside declaring to assist Ukraine in humanitarian aid and other form of assistance are essentially facilitating double jeopardy against Ukraine.
Nonetheless, despite substantial military might not barring nuclear status of Russia, the Ukrainian will and resolve to defend their motherland and territorial rights are admirable.
As stated earlier in this domain, the right not the might wins the battle regardless of extreme means and fury from the unrelenting invader having suffered enormous casualties and invited economic collapse in the domestic front.
The peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul reportedly showing signs of progress is to be translated into action with immediate Russian ceasefire, ending air assaults and withdrawal of forces from Ukrainian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin having defaulted on own positions prior to Ukraine invasion and thereafter changing course i.e. pivoting from military attacks to meaningful peaceful negotiations with Ukrainian leadership representing Ukraine citizens is the priority and constructive strategy to resolution.
The Russian policy to regroup and reorganize in the attempt to prolong or protract the war is egregious and not guaranteed to produce desirable outcome.
The only reality is the Russian invasion draining the debilitated Russian economy and demoralizing the disillusioned Russian military force and para militia from Chechen, Siberia, Moldavia and Belarus…contracted in the warfare.
The sensible and rational approach is for Russia to conclude offense and hostility against Ukrainian population. The Ukrainian people are subject to misery with extended Russian relatives on both sides experiencing pain and suffering in the tragedy inflicted on them.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has the choice to welcome peace and desperately required economic growth and development for Russians paying the price along with their fellow citizens – the Ukrainians neighbor and family in Ukraine.
Peace to independent sovereign Ukraine and Russia!
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
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Russian Energy Clients
March 24, 2022
Update: Russia Invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin’s evasion on Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu whereabouts is intriguing. The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu public appearance was noted in the Moscow televised National Security Council meeting on March 11 briefing the Russian President Vladimir Putin on the ongoing war.
The Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is known to be one of the key war strategists in President Vladimir Putin’s so-called special operations against Ukraine.
The Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu’s absence during the critical time raise questions and speculations all around.
The information regarding Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s reported truancy quoting alleged ill-health and the other assumption on the Minister Shoigu’s purported defection to Finland across the Russian Border could all be laid to rest with Kremlin’s transparency on the matter.
However, the confirmation on the latest top Kremlin aide and prominent official Anatoly Chubais’s resignation over disapproval of Ukraine war is an acknowledged fact.
Importantly, the highest Kremlin figure Anatoly Chubais is notably the former boss of the incumbent President Vladimir Putin during the latter government position in then President Boris Yeltsin’s term in office.
Accordingly, the high-profile Kremlin member Anatoly Chubais’s departure from the political circle and the country is self-explanatory on internal dissent within on the Ukraine military invasion.
Padmini Arhant
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Russian Energy Clients
Padmini Arhant
In the normal environment, the economic activity between Russia and the rest of the world would be understandable.
However, lured by discounted price on cheap energy imports from Russia subsequent to the belligerent invasion and ongoing merciless shelling of cities and civilian areas in neighboring Ukraine, those forging energy deals with the aggressor at this time are essentially declaring themselves contributors to violence against Ukrainian population.
Not to mention the subjugation of Russian citizens with conscription and indefinite gag order accompanied by arrests on peaceful dissent against unnecessary war.
The relentless air raids and hypersonic missiles in Mariupol, Kharkiv and other cities in Ukraine forcing children, expectant mothers and critically ill patients run for their life besides turning 10 millions or more Ukrainians into refugees bear on the energy purveyors slighting ethical and legal consequences related to economic sanctions in condemnation of military strikes in Ukraine.
The worst is among several prioritizing self-interests over human lives targeted in the continuous air assaults against Ukrainians reveal true colors in discrimination of human tragedy.
The so-called world’s largest democracy in the Indian sub-continent, South Asia and others in western Europe maintaining economic ties taking advantage of Russian low cost energy are directly financing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine civilians right now.
No wonder Kremlin is now openly and defiantly stating they would not hesitate to include nuclear weapons citing any possible existential threat to Nuclear Titan Russia from the non-nuclear Ukraine defending their sovereign rights.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has emphasized any deployment of peacekeeping troops in response to Poland’s suggestion as direct war between Russia and NATO.
The Russian Foreign Minister ignoring the fact, Poland is now dealing with tremendous influx of Ukrainian refugees – courtesy President Vladimir Putin’s so-called special operations carried out indiscriminately leveling every standing building and civilian apartments in Ukraine.
What about UN peace keeping force to facilitate humanitarian aid and safe evacuation of civilians in the daily bombing aimed at civilian premise?
Is that objectionable as well to Moscow?
Moscow has many legitimate grievances with respect to Donbas region violence in the past eight years accounting for loss of lives in that part of Ukraine.
Additionally, Moscow has repeatedly expressed concerns over the United States and western funded bio labs endangering lives worldwide.
Agreed, these are valid claims and deserve global attention and permanent solution banning efforts and means harming lives anyhow anywhere by anyone now or in the future.
Nonetheless, Moscow’s military campaign against civilians in Ukraine lasting a month has critically damaged Kremlin’s moral stance to raise issues in the above regard.
Those killing innocent lives declining call on ceasefire in the month long unprovoked conflict not only in self-denial of inflicting deaths and devastation but also justifying the violent crime as personal goals with no end in sight. Such disposition place them in quandary and hypocrisy.
There was a time prior to the invasion of Ukraine when Moscow could represent at UNSC and other international forum drawing United States and western powers attention to issues threatening lives such as bio labs and the western share of military interventions in foreign land.
Unfortunately, now Moscow having revived past Soviet era aspirations on territorial annexations via foreign invasion and occupation, relevantly not shying away from stating the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the Ukraine battle unarguably create a huge credibility factor for Moscow’s representation as moral authority on global affairs.
Finally, the subsidized energy offers from Moscow to energy dependent clients in western Europe, South Asia and other parts of the world are conscientiously participating in the Russian nuclear threat laden warfare against Ukraine with inevitable protraction in the region and beyond upon Kremlin’s military engagement not brought to conclusion effective immediately.
These participants are to be reminded that their egregious decision purely to serve own requirements are fueling Kremlin’s fire power rather than dousing the flames consuming lives and living space in the war zone.
The energy flow continuing without any stipulation from these states on energy consumption at the least insisting Moscow end the senseless violence in Ukraine and commit to meaningful peace talks with neighbor Ukraine classify as reckless myopic opportunism.
The fire engulfing the far away land sooner than later hitting own turf is not a remote but a probable cause to act and avert such calamity in self-protection if not for those victims dealing with the extraordinary ordeal.
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
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Russia – Economic and Financial Collapse
March 23, 2022
Russia – Economic and Financial Collapse
Padmini Arhant
President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens in reality transformed into the Russian President’s war against own nation – Russia, Russian economy and Russian financial system. This statement repeated on this site numerous times earlier and until now to alert the Russian leadership on the grave mistakes of launching the illegal invasion.
No wars can continue endlessly and the aggressor inevitably deal with self-inflicted economic damage in the domestic front. The situation is evident in the Russian economy due to state divestments from domestic economic activities to financing the bombing and shelling of civilian areas in the target nation.
The economic and financial sanctions are also contributing to economic squeeze and freeze as a result of the unnecessary and preventable invasion of foreign land.
The locals in the nation i.e. Russian citizens are subject to long lasting economic pain and suffering worse than the intended prolonged misery against the people of Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin’s personal goals through military intervention in Ukraine is backfiring at home.
Meanwhile, Russians are forced to accept the crises as Kremlin’s noble cause to liberate Russian speaking citizens in Donbas region despite the relentless military attacks in Ukraine economically and financially punishing native Russians in Russia.
Notwithstanding the heavy losses of Russian lives in the conscripted service to kill innocent civilians in neighboring Ukraine.
The world is collectively engaged in extending support to civilians in Ukraine. The demoralized Russian forces deployed against their will in the President Vladimir Putin’s war are victims as well without recourse in the Russian political system.
The Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military infiltration in Ukraine has invited economic war against Russia. The senseless battle raising buildings, infrastructure and civilian homes to rubbles might be considered some achievement in the military assessment. However, the deeper effects are actually felt in Russian economic and financial affairs.
The Russian rubles devalued further lowering the economic and financial affordability among Russians pushed into dire straits.
Under these circumstances, no military action or besieged cities and port in invaded country could be declared a victory at the vast and substantial expense of the domestic economy.
The pressure and frustration is palpable even among Russia’s elites and wealthiest oligarchs having suffered enormous financial losses in the economic fallout with the rest of the world.
The worldwide consumption of Russian Vodka could also take a serious hit in the global awakening to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine with images clarifying the aerial assaults caused deaths and destruction of innocent lives in the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s so-called special operations.
The liquor industry replacing Russian Vodka in the marketing and distribution would strongly impact the cash flow expended at military violence against Ukraine.
The global response in this particular line of action would demonstrate solidarity in the universal call to Moscow to end the conflict effective immediately with ceasefire and termination of Russian aerial bombing, air raids and military incursions in and around Ukraine.
A minor sacrifice at individual level from across the globe related to Russian key economic product – Russian Vodka and other popular items in the liquor industry and consumer goods would save lives in the unreasonable and ill-conceived war on the people of Ukraine and Russia.
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
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Russia – Ukraine Invasion
March 22, 2022
Russia – Ukraine Invasion
Padmini Arhant
Russian President Vladimir Putin owes genuine logical explanation to Russian citizens and importantly Ukrainian population on Kremlin’s unreasonable demands to Ukraine to surrender on besieged Mariupol.
President Vladimir Putin having unilaterally declared foreign sovereign territories viz. Ukraine’s Donbas region – Donetsk and Luhansk in particular as independent republics, insisting Ukraine accept Kremlin’s decision in this regard is bizarre and unacceptable. Notwithstanding Kremlin’s foreign intervention in sovereign nation – Ukraine’s internal affairs.
Contrarily, President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of independent Ukraine with disproportionate aggression and violence continuing until now with a condition that Ukraine submit to Kremlin’s unfair and unjust violation of territorial integrity in Mariupol and other cities is the dichotomy in President Vladimir Putin’s position.
On the one hand, President Vladimir Putin’s military engagement in Ukraine is declared as the so-called liberating force to rescue Donetsk and Luhansk from Moscow defined nationalists, nazis and anti-Russian groups in eastern Ukraine.
On the other hand, since Moscow’s invasion, the ground reality is Kremlin’s prolonged military actions have claimed more lives than saving or liberating them in the region.
Furthermore, Ukrainians are forced into evacuation from their homeland as refugees in foreign shores due to merciless bombing, shelling, hypersonic missiles and other experimental military artillery aimed at civilian areas in the past three weeks extended into fourth week nearing a month long expensive and violent conflict.
The air raids targeting children and maternity hospitals, kindergarten, art theater and residential apartments in Mariupol, Kharkiv in South and North East Ukraine is condemnable, reprehensible and unjustifiable regardless of reasons behind such display.
Never any nation’s weapons heading towards innocent civilians in a nation held hostage could be justified as appropriate.
President Vladimir Putin’s so-called special operations has resulted in severe Russian casualties with Russian military losing high rank officials such as Major Generals and Deputy commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Captain 1st rank Andrey Paliy on Sunday, March 20th, 2022. The Russian troops are disillusioned about Russia’s military infiltration in Ukraine.
The war has brought immense pain and suffering for civilians in Ukraine and Russia. The Russian economy is in grinding halt with economic and financial sanctions.
The Russian oligarchy seemingly running out of patience with many having lost more than half of their fortune. Some among them voicing their concerns and frustration over deteriorating Russian economy and the war costing Russia well above Kremlin can afford financially that are significant.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine has brought Russia at the crossroads with the poignant question for Russian citizens.
Is this war in any way a benefit to Russia, Russian economy and relevantly Russian lives with many armed personnel specifically top ranking military officials killed in combat zone?
Russia has two options. Russian ceasefire in all fronts beginning with ending aerial bombing, marine and ground mobilization in and around Ukraine and critically President Vladimir Putin direct meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the earliest possible.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly offered to peacefully engage in one on one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The response from Moscow in this regard via meeting between Russian and Ukraine Presidents with sincere commitment to conclude the war and avert further loss of innocent lives not barring armed personnel on all sides is the utmost priority and immediate requirement for Ukraine and Russian citizens survival and peaceful coexistence.
God Bless the brave souls defending their frontier and family in Ukraine!
Hopefully wisdom, rationale, empathy and compassion would guide the Russian authority in arriving at peaceful resolution with neighbor and peace partner Ukraine.
Peace to independent sovereign Ukraine and Russia!
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
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Russia – Major Setback in Ukraine War
March 20, 2022
Russia – Major Setback in Ukraine War
Padmini Arhant
The latest update on Ukraine War – Russian news and Russian relevant sources confirm the loss of – Deputy Commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine.
Courtesy: Russian News Network presented with approval to share in the public domain. Thank you,
Deputy commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet killed in Ukraine
“The senior officer got killed in combat near southeastern city of Mariupol, Russian officials have said.
Deputy commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Captain 1st rank Andrey Paliy, was killed in combat near the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, multiple senior Russian officials said on Sunday.
Yekaterina Altabaeva, Senator for the Crimean city of Sevastopol, the home port of the Black Sea Fleet, was first to break the news.
The news was confirmed by the Sevastopol governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev, later in the day. Both officials said they knew the officer personally, extending their condolences to his family and friends.
Andrey [Paliy] chose to defend his Motherland as his life’s work and died for our peaceful future,” Razvozhaev said in a Telegram post.
The Russian Defense Ministry has so far remained silent on the matter, neither denying nor confirming the demise of the high-ranking commander.”
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Russian President Vladimir Putin’s immediate ceasefire ending military invasion of Ukraine is the clarion call to protect lives on Russian and Ukrainian side.
Never too late to commit to peace and reject violence.
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
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Russia – Predicament and Priority
March 18, 2022
Russia – Predicament and Priority
Padmini Arhant
President Vladimir Putin prior to invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 expressed grievance and distress on Kiev government’s failure to implement Minsk 1 and II agreements from 2014 and 2015.
Moscow despite being a signatory to Minsk agreements I and II denied any participation in the Donbas region unrest absolving itself of any responsibility in particular reference to foreign viz. Russian troop withdrawal from eastern Ukraine. In this regard, Moscow violated the Minsk agreement as a signatory of the accord.
Additionally, Moscow is also obligatory to guarantee Ukraine’s security on sovereign rights and territorial integrity as signatory to Budapest Memorandum agreed to by Russia, Britain and the United States in 1994. The Budapest memorandum categorically calls for all three signatories to observe Ukraine’s political independence, sovereignty and borders underscoring the major powers to refrain from military measures against sovereign Ukraine.
Again, Russia defaulted in honoring commitment made in the Budapest memorandum. Russia could have extended necessary support and facilitated peaceful resolution to protect Ukrainian, Donbas residents and Russian security interests.
Moscow then stated the calls from Donetsk and Luhansk separatists leadership to come to their aid from Kiev’s violence as the reason for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Though, the issue could have been addressed without any military intervention from Moscow.
The trilateral Minsk agreements I and II between Kiev, the Donbas separatists leaders and Moscow could have been revisited with necessary adjustments to accommodate the side viz. Kiev arguably not satisfied on the territorial secession in alignment with any nation in any region including Russia disapproval of sedition and segregation of sovereign territory.
The issue could have been resolved with mutual understanding and recognition of security interests on all sides rather than authorizing military invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow could have handled the dispute between Kiev and Donbas separatist groups similar to Moscow’s role in the Armenian and Azerbaijan long standing skirmishes and September – November 2020 war resulting in Moscow brokered ceasefire in November 2020.
Moscow handling of situation against Ukraine drastically escalating violence in air raids is extreme and contradictory to positions maintained earlier of having no interest to invade and occupy Ukraine.
Furthermore, Moscow has detailed the following against the west – the United States and NATO operations.
1. Problem: The United States financed bio labs in Ukraine. According to Moscow’s military, they have documentary evidence to this effect.
Solution: Russia presenting evidence to UN General Assembly to all member nations would clarify the allegations one way or another.
The removal of bio chemicals and shutting down the labs in Ukraine could then be followed to protect Ukrainians, Russians and others in Eastern Europe.
2. Problem: Russia’s specific goals in Ukraine regarding demilitarization and denazification.
There is no doubt the United Stated paid and hired private army and mercenaries viz. Blackwater deeply tainted indulgence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and Libya among several other locations with Ukraine one of them in the long list of their widespread involvement since inception of the company wreaked havoc in human rights violations and reckless violent activities never subject to scrutiny nor any accountability.
Blackwater is founded by former U.S. Navy SEAL Erik Prince in 1996 changed name to Xe services LLC in 2009 and thereafter acquired by private investors and renamed U.S. Academi in 2011 retaining the services as proxy army and security contractor albeit proved otherwise on the ground i.e. sabotage peace and security.
The price tag for such service admittedly range from $200,000 – $220,000 a day making only the deep pockets nation afford such extravaganza.
The United States contracted private army Xe Services aka U.S. Academi presence in Ukraine in March 2014 and later led to Maidan square chaos in Kiev in 2014. The tumult rapidly accelerated into U.S. and EU coup d’etat against then democratically elected government of Ukraine.
The western insurrection continued in Kiev with then incumbent President Viktor Yanukovich overthrown from power literally at gun point on global watch much to international dismay.
Notwithstanding, the United States and Britain’s violation of 1994 Budapest Memorandum to abstain from military actions not barring private army such as Blackwater aka Xe services or Academi and any other outfits engagement in Ukraine in 2014 and then onwards leading to status quo.
The United States and EU installed neo-nazi government in Ukraine subsequent to overthrow of President Yanukovych government in 2014 added fuel to rising tensions in Crimea and eastern Donbas region.
Solution: Russia’s complete ceasefire ending air strikes, missiles, rockets and other aerial, marine and ground activities effective immediately in Ukraine is the urgent priority.
The United States deployed private army U.S.Academi and mercenaries to be removed with instant departure from Ukraine and neighboring NATO ally states to prevent any false operations and otherwise upon Russian ceasefire.
The neo-nazi factions in Ukraine are to be disenfranchised from Ukrainian governance and political power sharing to free Ukraine from undemocratic influence.
The above outlined actions should redress Ukraine and Russia’s security concerns and civilian safety in the embattled zone.
3. Problem: Kremlin’s complaint regarding western weapons supply to Ukraine.
Solution: Kremlin ceasing above specified military operations comprehensively in Ukraine and resuming peaceful negotiations as enunciated in the Ukraine – Russia permanent peace treaty 2022 in this domain would appropriately halt western ammunition delivery to Ukraine.
Western default post Russian ceasefire would be addressed accordingly in the event of such error.
It is a litmus test for all sides on compliance with necessary actions and rules of engagement.
4. Problem: Humanitarian Corridor to allow safe civilian evacuation.
Solution: The termination of Russian military aggression in entirety besides any foreign participation from any sources in disguise conducting military attacks and assaults on Ukraine’s infrastructure whether areas near nuclear power plants, civilian complexes of any types and other premise should essentially stymie the need for civilians to flee their native territory.
All efforts translated into decisive actions to cease hostility to protect lives of Ukrainians, Russians, International students trapped in the bunkers is yet another priority.
Russian military authority leading the way in ceasefire and withdrawal in this context is crucial for others to follow suit.
5. Problem: NATO expansion.
Solution: Russia – NATO permanent peace treaty 2022 provided in this domain to be discussed and established in place simultaneously with Ukraine – Russia permanent peace treaty 2022.
The protocol to begin at the immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of forces from Russia.
Meanwhile the exchange of prisoners of war (POW) ensuring safe return of combat personnel on Ukraine and Russian side not excluding volunteers representing Ukrainian line of defense are to be treated humanely in accordance with Geneva convention and international rule of law.
They all have to be released for return back to their country of origin and reunion with their family.
Civilian plight has been enormous as expected in any warfare. The civilians affected in the last 21 days of Russian invasion and occupation of Ukraine are to be provided humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation with ultimate safety and security of their return back home.
Upon compliance of all of these critical and monumental requirements towards peaceful settlement, the sanctions relief against Russian economy to enable Russian population survival and recovery from economic repercussions would be the next phase of priority.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin’s predicament and priorities are effectively dealt in ending violence against Ukraine.
The Russian leadership abandoning continuation of military operations in and around Ukraine and instead adopting peaceful approach are guaranteed to mitigate confrontations and challenges facing Russia and neighbor Ukraine.
Peace to Ukraine and Russia!
Padmini Arhant
Author & Presenter
PadminiArhant.com
Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com