36 Comments

Excellent reporting, again. I never realized just how important Ukraine is for Europe and the World. You can see why Putin wanted to take over Ukraine, it's such an important asset. Simply put, Putin is an evil man and his war (not a special operation) must be shut down and quickly. Negotiations with Putin will be a waste of time. The World must tell him"Get out of Ukraine and restore it's pre 2014 borders by a certain date", otherwise more drastic measures will be taken. Let's be mindful that if Putin is removed from office, whose is going to replace him? Someone worse? Where's the UN on this matter?

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In the 1930s, Stalin killed or deported to Siberia 7-10 million Ukrainians. The areas of Ukraine where the famine (Holodomor) occurred were resettled with Russians. Putin is continuing this Soviet policy of genocide in the current war. The result is that thousands died, 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced from their bombed-out homes, and 8 million Ukrainians, mainly women and children seeking safety, have become refugees in Europe and worldwide. Ukrainians are now fighting back, determined not to let this genocide happen again.

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Exactly, and Stalin also killed by starvation or bullet around 30,000 Russians, and let's not forget Mao who caused an estimated 30-35 million Chinese to starve. Hitler waged a war of extermination in Russia as well as genocide against European Jews. The Ukrainians will stay the course to victory, so long as we in the west do not waver in our support.

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Errata: I meant Stalin murdered around 30 million Russians, i.e. around 30,000 per week continuing for 20 years. His murder rate far exceeded Hitler's but he was in power much longer.

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Sadly, there is no such entity as "the world," and the UN cannot be effective because both Russia and China can veto any action. There's only the United States and its allies, collectively NATO. I think NATO is doing all it can, short of nuclear conflict which I'm sure we would all deplore for obvious reasons. There's no quick solution, short of removal of Putin but that is up to his own people.

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I hear you, but why does Russia and China have veto powers at the UN? That scenario must be reviewed because we are hostage to two communist based countries. The damage that Putin and his Wagner group have created over the past ten years is simply deplorable. Yes, it's a complex world.

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Perhaps someone should tell Trump that his close brilliant friend Putin is a “ war criminal “ that tops all other preceding monsters. Trump bragged that he’s the only stable genius who can end the war in 24 hours by just handing the Ukraine over to Russia. God save America , please!!!

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Opposing lawyers in court call each other friends. Since Trump has proven he can avoid wars I don't care what he calls our friendenemies.

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Thank you for this, but this war in ongoing so avoidance is not the issue here. And my guess is that before the end of the year, Trump will be facing other indictments that will take much of his attention. Certainly, Trump considers Putin his friend and describes him as brilliant, but I doubt if Putin puts much hope in Trump become President again.

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wrong wrong wrong

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I wish people weren't so stunted in their biased opinions and looked at only the facts.

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didnt know i was speaking to a russian

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IRISH

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an irish russian

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Nato , Europe & USA know all of this - my dad came from UKR, & talked about the richness of its soil & productivity, pre WW II. WHY it has taken allies so long to understand the urgency to GET Russia out & on its knees concerns me. The visual of Bakmut is stunning, painful to see. Russia is a terrorist country and all stops to bring it down should have been in place long ago. The idea that Trump could become next President turns my gut. UKR should NOT have to beg for jets either!!! GREAT article Diane - another home run!!!

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Bullies need to demonstrate power..by hurting others..russia is a terrorist state..make no mistake- this is far more than Putin..this is a genocidal culture.

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I think this war has just entered a nuclear phase today with the "partisans" approach to the Goloychino nuclear warhead stockpile on Russian territory. Russia will be forced to concentrate troops there thus weakening it's Ukraine posture - or else use tactical nuclear weapons to clear out the partisans - even against their own people.

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This is news to me, but I hope we are underestimating the level of opposition in. Russia to Putin and his cronies.

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You can tell Putin wants to get rid of Ukrainians not just by the evil he does by targeting civilian buildings. He is doing Genocide also by taking thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia and having Russians adopt them but before they brainwash the children with Russian propaganda. Stolen generation of children. A war crime that has to be stopped.

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Excellent article. This is a part of Putin's war strategy that is rarely if ever discussed - certainly not in the American mainstream media.

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Good news that the global south, especially Africa, is starting to get the picture. PS Odesa, not Odessa. :)

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Great article Diane An evil empire. The Pope refuses to condemn it. Also India and China. What a world we live in.

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Excellent thank you

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and trump will end this fiasco????? putin is a war criminal and dangerous osychopath .....no deal with him is possible ....literally he threatens the world ....and trump would stop supporting ukraine????THIS IS ENOUGH REASON ALONE NOT TO VOTE FOR TRUMP ....

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IRISH, working with old lawyers all the time. not opinionated.

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IRISH. UNOPINIONATED. sorry robert

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Well, the Russians (USSR in 1945) got the veto because they were our main ally against the Third Reich/Nazis, and the Chinese (not communist until 1949) got the veto because they were our main ally against the Japanese. The British got it because back then their empire covered a quarter of the world, and the French got it because no one dared to say 'Non' to General de Gaulle. And we got the veto because...well, it was our idea, we set it up in Manhattan, we mostly pay for it, and gosh darn we deserve it. So now everyone agrees it's time for a change but not how to go about it.

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Bluster is not proof the last time I checked.

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To borrow from another great leader, the Ukrainians "will not falter or fail," they will never surrender. We mustn't either.

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