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10 June, 2022

 


Soome-ugri keeled. 

Kust need oksad hargnesid?

Kadri Allikmäe, Postimees, märts 2021

“Küllap on mõnigi meist koolipingis istudes näinud soome-ugri keelepuud ning vaadanud imestuse või hämminguga, kuidas saab eesti keel olla seotud näiteks Põhja-Jäämere-äärse nganassaani rahva keelega. Seosed on ajaliste ja ruumiliste vahemaade tõttu kohati õhkõrnad, kuid need on olemas, räägib soome-ugri keeleteadlane Miina Norvik. …”

https://sakala.postimees.ee/7200127/soome-ugri-keeled-kust-need-oksad-hargnesid




Kuidas keelepuid lugeda?

Miina Norvik, Külli Prillop

(Tartu Ülikool, veebr. 2021)

“Ajakirja Horisont keeleteaduse erinumbris ilmus juuresolev keelepuu. Nimetasime selle traditsiooniliseks keelepuuks uues kuues. Traditsiooniline on puu selle poolest, et järgib juba tuttavat puumalli. Uue kuue sai puu aga oluliste täpsustuste ja täienduste kaudu, mis olid vajalikud selleks, et kajastada uurali keelte praegust uurimisseisu ning eemaldada iganenud info. Siinses postituses selgitamegi, milliseid muudatusi ja täiendusi tegime.”   [Puu on vabalt kasutamiseks mitteärilistel eesmärkidel.]

https://www.blog.keel.ut.ee/horisont/keelepuu/




Dramatic events in demographics led to the spread of Uralic languages

(Science Daily, April 2022)

“A multidisciplinary research group from the University of Helsinki has renewed our understanding of the history of the Uralic language family and languages such as Finnish, Estonian, Saami and Hungarian.”

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220427100508.htm



__________



Upcoming Nato Summit

(Politico Europe | NATO)

The Baltics In Focus: “While the expected accession of Finland and Sweden is expected to dominate the NATO summit in Madrid at the end of the month (29. June), keep an eye out for commitments to boost protection for the Baltic countries."

“Speaking at a Politico Live event Thursday, NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoană said that NATO is primed in Madrid to announce some “robust and historic decisions” in terms of further help for the Baltics — both in terms of air defense and troop commitments. The Baltics want a more permanent presence of NATO troops.”

https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/interior-ministers-meet-nato-summit-prep-amazon-scoop/

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_196282.htm



__________






Friday 10. June



Putin offers a new threat to Estonia

(Washington Examiner)

“Vladimir Putin declared himself a modern Peter the Great on Thursday. … Putin railed that "when [Peter] founded the new capital [St. Petersburg], none of the European countries recognized this territory as Russia, everyone recognized it as Sweden.”

“Putin wasn't done. Again referencing Peter's campaigns, he continued, "The same is true in the western direction. This applies to Narva, [Peter's] first campaigns." Putin noted that when Peter launched his second attempt to seize Narva from the Swedish Empire, he did so "returned and strengthened — that's what he did." … ”Apparently,” Putin remarked, "it also fell to our lot to return and strengthen.”

“Putin's theory has a problem. The Russian president forgets that as he gazes toward Narva, he faces one challenge that Peter the Great did not. Peter's 1704 siege of Narva never had to contend with a rapid response brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division. Nor did he face the forces of those NATO allies such as Britain, Poland, and the Baltics, which are willing to fight. Thus, for all his mythology, the truth is that Putin isn't actually a modern Peter. Instead, to borrow from Pushkin, he appears to be "a sick man in his troubled bed."

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/courage-strength-optimism/putin-offers-new-threat-to-estonia



“Putin likens himself to Peter the Great, links imperial expansion to Ukraine war.” - Washington Post


“Estonia Summons Russian Envoy to Protest Putin Remarks regarding Narva.” - US News


“Putin compares self to Peter the Great, says he is taking back Russian lands.” - The Hill


“‘Taking it back’: Vladimir Putin likens self to Peter the Great.” - Aljazeera




Putin tõmbas paralleeli Peeter Suure vallutuste ja Ukraina invasiooni vahel

(ERR)

“Venemaa president Vladimir Putin avaldas austust Peeter Suurele tema 350. sünniaastapäeval, tõmmates paralleeli tsaari vallutuste ja Ukraina invasiooni vahel. Putin nimetas oma televisioonis edastatud kõnes ka Narva linna. "Peeter Suur võitles Põhjasõjas 21 aastat. Näis, et ta sõdib Rootsiga ja vallutas seal territooriume. Ta ei võtnud neilt midagi! Ta võttis neilt tagasi selle, mis oli Venemaa oma!" ütles Putin neljapäeval tsaarile pühendatud näituse külastamisel.”

https://www.err.ee/1608625837/putin-tombas-paralleeli-peeter-suure-vallutuste-ja-ukraina-invasiooni-vahel



“Välisministeerium kutsus Putini sõnavõtu pärast välja Venemaa suursaadiku.” - Postimees




Valitsuskriis Eestis: Kas siiski tulevad erakorralised valimised?

(Estonian World Review)

“Kuigi erakorraliste valimiste toimumist Eestis ei saa välistada, on nende toimumise tõenäosus siiski küllaltki väike, hindavad enamus Eesti poliitika eksperte. Siiski tehakse selleks ettevalmistusi, kirjutab Eesti Päevaleht. Eesti presidendi kantselei direktor Peep Jahilo saatis eile ametliku kirja riigi valimisteenistuse juhile Arne Koitmäele, küsides, milline oleks optimaalne aeg erakorraliste valimiste ettevalmistamiseks ja korraldamiseks sel suvel. …”

https://www.eesti.ca/valitsuskriis-eestis-kas-siiski-tulevad-erakorralised-valimised/article59327




No constitutional crisis in Estonia

(ERR)

“Despite the prime minister's hints at extraordinary elections and Riigikogu night sessions, Estonia does not have political deadlock or a constitutional crisis, Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise found on the Vikerraadio morning show. Madise said that while Estonia currently has a single-party government that the country's proportional election system should not permit, the situation created when the PM dismissed its coalition partner's ministers is provided for in the Constitutional and does not constitute a crisis.”

https://news.err.ee/1608625888/justice-chancellor-no-constitutional-crisis-in-estonia



“Kallas Eyes Snap Elections in Estonia If Coalition Fails.” - Bloomberg




Europe Has To Learn To Defend Itself

(Spiegel)

"We Europeans should be ashamed that we alone are incapable of protecting a wonderful project like the EU militarily.” - Claudia Major, security expert.

"The trick for the Europeans will be to gradually become more militarily capable themselves without making the U.S. feel like we don't need them anymore."

https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/kremlin-threats-europe-has-to-learn-to-defend-itself-but-how-a-fb5bed7e-126c-47df-9dce-f677139cc2bf




Largest ever NATO exercise taking place in Baltic States and Poland

(ERR)

“Dubbed Ramstein Legacy, the exercise runs June 6-10 and primarily concerns air defenses and fighters and Surface Based Air and Missile Defense (SBAMD) units from allies and partners are acting in concert. Gen. Jeff Harrigian, Commander Allied Air Command, said of the exercise that: "Given the current security situation following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, large-scale training exercises like this are, now, more important to NATO than ever."

https://news.err.ee/1608624298/largest-ever-nato-exercise-taking-place-in-baltic-states-poland



“NATO peab Läänemere piirkonnas oma ajaloo suurimat õhukaitseõppust.” - ERR


“16 NATO Allies and partners take part in exercise BALTOPS 22.” - NATO


“NATO väed harjutasid Baltimaades ja Poolas õhukaitset.” - ERR


“BALTOPS 22 Multinational Exercise Kicks Off In The Baltic Sea.” - Naval News


“Allied Air Command's principal Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) exercise taking place across Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.” - NATO




Russian Navy Begins Baltic Sea Drills

(The Moscow Times | Newsweek)

“60 ships and 40 aircraft were taking part in maneuvers which will also take place on land at training grounds in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.”

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/06/09/russian-navy-starts-baltic-sea-drills-amid-ukraine-tensions-a77953

https://www.newsweek.com/russia-starts-exercises-60-warships-baltic-sea-1714375



“Vastulöök NATO plaanilisele käigule: Venemaa alustas Läänemerel suurõppust.” - Delfi


“Latvian minister says there’s no reason to worry about Russia’s military drills in Baltic Sea.” - BNN







Thursday 9. June



68% of people in Estonia view Russia as a threat - 24% do not, per new poll

(ERR)

“The GLOBSEC Trends 2022 report polled respondents in nine central and eastern European countries "amid the war in Ukraine”. … respondents were asked which statement they agreed with most: "It was Russia that invaded Ukraine" (68% agreed), the “West provoked Russia” (15%) or “Ukraine oppressed Russian-speaking part of the population" (9%).”

“65% believe Ukraine is fighting for democracy in Europe.”

“56% said Ukraine should be a member of NATO.”

“22% of respondents viewed Putin positively, falling from 30% in 2021.”

“47% of Estonians believe Russia will not stop in Ukraine.”

https://news.err.ee/1608621157/quarter-of-estonian-residents-do-not-agree-russia-is-behind-war-in-ukraine



“Zelensky honoured with a sand sculpture in Estonia.” - Estonian World




Council of Europe: Estonia should integrate its national minorities better

(Estonian World)

“An advisory committee of the Council of Europe stresses the need to address divides in the education system between Estonian and Russian language teaching in Estonia and says, among other recommendations, that the country’s authorities should intensify the dialogue with the representatives of the Russian minority.”

https://estonianworld.com/life/the-council-of-europe-estonia-should-step-up-integration-of-national-minorities/



“For Putin, All ‘Russian Speaking Space is Automatically Russian’ Politically.” - by Paul Goble




Finland, Estonia to lease floating LNG terminal following Russian cutoff

(Yle | Estonian World Review)

“Finland and Estonia are planning to jointly lease a nearly 300-metre long liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal to secure the supply of gas imports, following the recent cutoff from Russia. Russia stopped exporting LNG to Finland in May, a move that threatened some sectors, including the bakery, forestry and petroleum industries which rely on gas. The floating LNG terminal is to be docked in the southern port of Inkoo, according to energy firms Gasgrid Finland and Fortum.”

https://yle.fi/news/3-12485888

https://www.eesti.ca/estonia-and-finland-to-lease-floating-lng-terminal/article59330



“Estonia begins building LNG terminal infrastructure.” - Oil & Gas Journal


“Finland moves ahead with floating LNG terminal.” - Reuters


“Europe’s unshackling from Russian gas.” - Gasworld




Patarei Sea Fortress to be turned into  business and leisure center by 2025

By Silver Tambur, Estonian World

“During the Soviet occupation of Estonia from 1944-1991, many leading Estonian political dissidents were confined here – including Lagle Parek, Enn Tarto and Jüri Kukk. When Estonia restored its independence in 1991, Patarei was still used to incarcerate convicted criminals; the prison eventually closed in 2002.”

https://estonianworld.com/business/pictures-a-former-tallinn-prison-to-be-turned-into-a-business-and-leisure-centre/




Finland’s Tilt to West Seen Hitting Russian Northwest Hard

By Paul Goble

“Finland’s decision to join NATO is already having negative economic and personal consequences for people in the northwestern portion of the Russian Federation, reducing cross-border trade and making travel more difficult for Russians accustomed to taking the bus to Helsinki and then flying the world from there.”

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2022/06/finlands-tilt-to-west-seen-hitting.html



“Finland and Russia: a photo journey through the border zone.” - The Guardian


“Most Finnish lawmakers supportive of beefing up fencing along eastern border.” - Yle




Russians living in Finland are confused and generally suspicious when it comes to voicing their opinions on polls

(Yle)

“Russia expert at the University of Eastern Finland noted this was shown by more than half of the poll's respondents saying they did not know — or were not able to say — what the war in Ukraine was about.

"It's easier to say you don't know because the people answering the survey don't know how responses will be interpreted and what that could lead to. 'Will they want my name and will it be linked to something?' This kind of suspicion is in the air.”

https://yle.fi/news/3-12478546







Wednesday 8. June



Vene kodanikelt valimisõiguse võtmist pooldavad Isamaa ja EKRE

(ERR)

“Venemaa sissetung Ukrainasse on taas tõstatanud küsimuse, kas Vene kodanikud peaks saama kaasa rääkida, kes Eesti omavalitsusi juhivad. Näiteks ütles üleeile endine Isamaa esimees ja mitmekordne peaminister Mart Laar, et koalitsioonikõnelustel võiks Isamaa nõuda hääleõiguse piiramist. "Et antakse kohalikel valimistel õigus valida ka täiesti teise riigi, vaenuliku riigi, kodanikele – selle võiks likvideerida," leidis Laar.”

https://www.err.ee/1608623083/vene-kodanikelt-valimisoiguse-votmist-pooldavad-isamaa-ja-ekre




Gotlandi rügemendi ülem: praeguseid sõjaplaane tuleb muuta

Vahur Lauri, ERR Gotland

“Gotlandil toimub osa rahvusvahelisest õppusest BaltOps 22. Gotlandi elanikud ja sõjaväelased mõtlevad, mida saare strateegiline asukoht muutunud julgeolekupoliitilises olukorras nende jaoks tähendab. … Gotlandi kohal hüppavad Ameerika langevarjurid. BaltOps õppuste raames harjutavad seal koos 400 rootslast ja 250 ameeriklast.”

“"Tundub mõistlik, et kogu Põhja-Euroopa sõjaline planeerimine, kaasa arvatud Balti riigid ja Läänemeri toimub ühiselt. Jah, me teeme sõjaplaane koos. Muidugi tuleb praegusi plaane muuta,” ütles Gotlandi rügemendi ülem kolonel Magnus Frykvall.”

https://www.err.ee/1608624019/err-rootsis-gotlandi-rugemendi-ulem-praeguseid-sojaplaane-tuleb-muuta




Kas Molotovi-Ribbentropi pakti salaprotokoll sai alguse 100 aastad tagasi?

Einar Värä, Diplomaatia

“Natside võimuhaaramine Saksamaal 1933. aastal põhjustas Eesti ajakirjanduses muret Baltimaade tuleviku pärast, mida seostati ühelt poolt baltisakslaste lootusega „tagasi saada oma mõisamaid“, kusjuures baltisakslaste ideelise innustaja ja toetajana nähti Alfred Rosenbergi, teiselt poolt ka vabadussõjalaste Hitleri-vaimustusega.”

“1933. aasta märtsi alguses aga ilmusid mitmes Eesti ajalehes artiklid ja uudisnupud kurjakuulutavate pealkirjadega: „Saksa-Vene kavad Baltimaade vallutamiseks“, „Jagavad Balti riike“, „Balti riikide saatus kaalul?“, „Landeswehr uue kuue sees“, „Vene-Saksa piir Salatsi jõele“, „Vene-Saksa salaliit“. Millest siis jutt käis? Kui kokkuvõtlikult, siis sellest, et Saksamaa ja Nõukogude Venemaa olid juba 1922. aastal Baltimaad omavahel mõjualadeks jaganud… Tänasest tarkusest võib aga sõnastada selle nii: kui see on tõsi, siis alus 1939. aasta Molotovi-Ribbentropi pakti salaprotokollile oli loodud rohkem kui 17 aastat enne selle sõlmimist ehk siis 100 aastat tagasi! Ning see oli mitte Hitleri-Saksamaa ja Nõukogude Liidu, vaid demokraatliku Saksa Weimari vabariigi ja Nõukogude Venemaa vahelise sõjalise koostöö sünnitis.”

https://diplomaatia.ee/kas-molotovi-ribbentropi-pakti-salaprotokoll-sai-alguse-100-aastat-tagasi/




Former NATO Chief: We ‘Overestimated’ Russia’s Military

(Foreign Policy)

[Anders Fogh Rasmussen was NATO’s secretary-general between 2009 and 2014.]

“I think we have made two miscalculations. We have overestimated the strength of the Russian military. Despite huge investments in military equipment and the reopening of old Soviet bases, we have seen a very weak Russian military. It remains to be seen why this is. I think corruption may be one of the reasons. But the other miscalculation is we have underestimated the brutality and the ambitions of President Putin.”

“Macron said the West shouldn’t “humiliate” Putin …”

“No, I completely disagree. We cannot save Putin from humiliation. The cost of face-saving for Mr. Putin will be much higher than an outright defeat for the Russian troops in Ukraine. That’s why my conclusion is that Ukraine must win this war, because if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, he won’t stop. He will continue into Moldova, Georgia, and eventually also put pressure on the three Baltic states. That’s why the Ukrainians must win, and they have the will to fight. It’s our duty to give them the means to fight.”

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/06/russia-nato-war-anders-fogh-rasmussen-ukraine/?tpcc=recirc_trending062921




Ukraine is buying us time. Use it wisely

By Edward Lucas, CEPA

“In the early weeks of Russia’s war on Ukraine, it seemed briefly possible that the complacent, arrogant, ignorant, greedy countries of the “Old West” had truly woken up to the danger from Russia, and were ready to make the decisions and sacrifices necessary to meet it. … Not anymore. One sign of this is the increasing number of voices demanding that Ukraine make concessions to stop the war.”

“Most troubling, however, is growing squishiness in the run-up to next month’s Nato summit in Madrid. Only a few weeks ago it seemed clear that the alliance was going to change its stance on its Baltic frontline. The old tripwire strategy, backed up by reinforcement plans and the ambition to liberate any territory temporarily seized by Russian aggressors, was clearly out of date. Vladimir Putin has shown himself willing to make militarily reckless decisions. Russia’s treatment of occupied territories and population mean that the Baltic states are not willing to concede a single inch, or a single soul, to that fate. Real defense of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania is a big deal.”

https://cepa.org/stiffening-spines/




A Fortified Eastern Flank to Face Down Putin

(CEPA)

“The region’s thinking meshes with NATO’s strategic shift to forward defense and active deterrence, which may be formally agreed upon at the Madrid summit this month or the Vilnius summit next year. The Baltic gathering simply recognized a new reality: at one end, Sweden and Finland are significantly reinforcing their transatlantic commitment (military interoperability is already established), and on the other, Ukraine is becoming a de facto member of that same Western security architecture.”

https://cepa.org/a-fortified-eastern-flank-to-face-down-putin/




Belarus: Putin’s Favorite Copycat Gears Up in Panicked Wartime Frenzy

(The Daily Beast)

“The notorious Putin ally has made a series of dramatic military decisions this week—and alarms are beginning to go off.”

https://www.thedailybeast.com/belarusian-president-alexander-lukashenko-gears-up-in-panicked-ukraine-war-frenzy?via=ios







Tuesday 7. June


Võrumaal valmis stiilne elektriline käsitööauto

Ülle Harju, Postimees

“Esimese elektrimootoriga Porsche 356A Speedster Replica ehk käsitöökoopia valmimist tähistasid meistrimehed nädalalõpul Võrumaa töökojas, kust masin vurab 27. juuniks Tallinna autosõpradele vaatamiseks.”

[The EV’s car body is a replica of the Porsche 356A Speedster, produced between 1955 and 1957. The battery has a 200+ km range, cost almost 50,000 euros to hand-build it  in Võrumaa, and took a year to construct. I want one.] 

https://www.postimees.ee/7540375/vorumaal-valmis-stiilne-elektriline-kasitooauto



Ajakirjanik Ülle Harju


“EU lawmakers endorse ban on combustion-engine cars in 2035.” - AP


“Euroopa Parlament toetas sõiduautode heitevabaks muutmist.” - ERR


“Euroopa Parlament: aastaks 2035 peavad uued sõiduautod olema heitevabad.” - Postimees




European unity on Ukraine growing more difficult, says Estonian PM

(The Guardian)

“European unity over the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is proving difficult to maintain in the face of the war’s impact on inflation and living standards across the continent, Estonia’s prime minister has said.”

“Kaja Kallas also criticised the French president, Emmanuel Macron, for trying to provide Vladimir Putin with a diplomatic way out of the conflict, saying the only effect was to give the Russian leader the belief that he will not be isolated or face justice for his army’s war crimes.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/06/european-unity-on-ukraine-growing-more-difficult-says-estonian-pm?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other




Small opposition party holds cards to new coalition in Estonia

(Bloomberg)

“While all Estonian parties share Kallas’s pro-Ukrainian views and resolve to fight against the Kremlin, the prime minister has been criticized by political opponents for ignoring domestic issues, such as rising inflation.”

“Kallas urged Pro Patria not to side with Ratas, saying that would jeopardize Estonia’s image and international partnerships by helping the far-right EKRE to return to power.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-06/putin-critic-kallas-needs-new-allies-to-stay-in-power-in-estonia



“Interview: Estonia’s President Alar Karis.” - BNE




2022 NATO BALTOPS in the Baltic Sea

(Foreign Brief | Nato | others)

“One of the largest exercises in Northern Europe, BALTOPS (5–17 June) covers the full spectrum of naval warfare, including amphibious operations, mine clearance and unmanned underwater vehicles. This year’s iteration will feature 45 ships and over 7000 personnel from 14 NATO members and two NATO partners. Hosted this year by Sweden, BALTOPS takes place amidst Sweden and Finland’s respective bids to join NATO. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led the two Nordic nations to abandon their long-held neutrality and seek greater protection among the treaty organization’s 30 current members.”

https://www.foreignbrief.com/daily-news/2022-nato-baltops-exercise/

https://sfn.nato.int/newsroom/news-archive/2022/baltops-22-kicks-off-today

https://yle.fi/news/3-12477284



“NATO holds Baltic Sea naval exercises with Finland, Sweden.” - AP


“NATO kicked off nearly a two-week U.S.-led naval exercise on the Baltic Sea.” - Spectrum News


“NATO allies and partners begin interoperability training.” - Nato


“Pooled kaitseväelased kannatavad kuulmislanguse all.” - Novaator


“Occupational noise exposure and hearing problems among active military service personnel in Estonia.” - Eesti Maaülikool




Finnish President: Putin took NATO application news ‘very, very calmly’

(Foreign Policy)

“Sauli Niinisto has been in office as Finland’s president for a decade and has clocked more hours with Russian President Vladimir Putin, either by phone or in person, than most European leaders. … Niinisto said he called Putin last month to tell him Finland would be joining NATO. Putin’s response was surprisingly subdued.”

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/03/sauli-niinisto-interview-nato-putin/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921



“Russian Propagandists Feast on Turkey’s NATO Ire.” - CEPA




US warship calms Sweden’s NATO nerves

(Politico Europe)

“In the Swedish capital this weekend, everyone was talking about the American warship. Moored in the main waterway linking Stockholm with the Baltic Sea, the towering presence of the USS Kearsarge dominated the city center, its 253-meter-long silhouette creating a new militaristic skyline against the early summer sun.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/us-warship-calms-swedens-nato-nerves/






__________


Putin’s War

__________



Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment: 9. June 2022

(ISW)

”The Kremlin’s efforts to censor information about deceased military personnel and ongoing forced mobilization within the DNR and LNR are reportedly exacerbating domestic tensions and opposition to the war in Russia.”

“Russian forces are escalating the use of psychological and information operations to damage the morale of Ukrainian soldiers.”

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-9




Calls for ceasefire in Ukraine are ‘premature’, Estonia’s PM warns

(Financial Times)

“Kaja Kallas says it would be a ‘mistake’ to push Kyiv into a settlement with Moscow.”

https://www.ft.com/content/8296294b-6684-4e32-a467-ba4e4ba11b36




Russia’s Blockade of Ukraine’s Ports Is Causing a Humanitarian Disaster

by Shay Khatiri, The Bulwark

“Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports is putting enormous economic pressure on Ukraine—a major supplier of global agricultural products such as wheat, sunflower oil, and barley seeds—and the defenders don’t have a navy to break it. But for Vladimir Putin, the blockade’s effect on the Ukrainian economy is likely a secondary consideration. His primary objective is instead to inflict pain on the rest of the world and extract concessions from Western Europe. The strategy appears to be working.”

https://www.thebulwark.com/russias-blockade-of-ukraines-ports-is-causing-a-humanitarian-disaster/



“Ukraine has Documented More than 11,600 War Crimes by Russian Forces.” - by Paul Goble




The New Russian Offensive Is Intended to Project Power It Cannot Sustain

By Frederick W. Kagan, Time opinion

“The fight for Severodonetsk is a Russian information operation in the form of a battle. One of its main purposes for Moscow is to create the impression that Russia has regained its strength and will now overwhelm Ukraine. That impression is false. The Russian military in Ukraine is increasingly a spent force that cannot achieve a decisive victory if Ukrainians hold on.”

https://time.com/6184437/ukraine-russian-offensive/




Putin’s original plan completely failed

(Meduza)

“Military expert Mykhailo Samus reflects on 100 days of Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/06/04/putin-s-original-plan-has-completely-failed



“Who is Putin really fighting?” - Meduza


“Russian army base sees scramble for war supplies.” - Reuters


“The Russian military’s ill-fated force design.” - War on the Rocks


“A shortage of western kit is costing Ukrainian lives.” - The Times


“Former Russian PM believes Putin is losing confidence in Ukraine war.” - Deutsche Welle


“Eastern Ukraine residents say Russia is wiping their towns off the map.” - Politico


“The Fight to Survive Russia’s Onslaught in Eastern Ukraine.” - New Yorker


“Russia is firing cruise missiles at Kyiv again.” - Christian Science Monitor






Ja viimaks:



Ukrainat hävitatakse küll füüsiliselt, kuid ühiskond on elujõulisem ja ühtsem, kui kunagi varem

CNN Moskva büroo endine juht Jill Dougherty, Pealinn

“Venemaa ja USA suhetes on praegu ilmselt minu elu kõige ohtlikum aeg. Sest Nõukogude Liidus oli poliitbüroo ja oli teatud grupijuhtkond, aga Putiniga on Putin ja Putin, koos mõne julgeolekutöötaja ja sõjaväelasega, kuid võim on nii tugevalt koondunud ühe inimese kätte. Inimene, kes on sellise süsteemi loonud, on võib-olla tänasest reaalsusest natuke liiga kaugel,” nentis pikaajaline CNN Moskva büroo juht ja korrespondent ning Georgetown University ajakirjandusõppejõud Jill Dougherty.”

““Putin oleks võinud võtta piiratud lähenemisviisi, mida mõned meist alguses uskusid – tungib Donbassi, võtab selle tagasi ja tuleb kangelasena koju. Aga selle asemel üritas ta võtta ära kogu Ukraina. Ta ähvardab tuumarelvaga. Tal on nüüd NATO koos Rootsi ja Soomega ukse ees viisil, mida ta varem ei pidanud võimalikuks. Lisaks on tema riigi majandussanktsioonidega hädas.”

https://pealinn.ee/2022/06/05/ukrainat-havitatakse-kull-fuusiliselt-kuid-uhiskond-on-elujoulisem-ja-uhtsem-kui-kunagi-varem/



“Opinion: How I (almost) got Putin wrong.” - by Jill Dougherty, former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief



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03 June, 2022

 


Toomas Hendrik Ilves speaks about the war in Ukraine and the way forward

By Jenna McLaughlin, NPR

“One of Ilves's top priorities when he served as Estonia's foreign minister from 1998 to 2002 was to bring Estonia fully into modern Europe, elevating its status financially, culturally, and perhaps most importantly, defensively.”

“Prior to when he served as foreign minister, Estonia had not been seeking to join the European Union — but Ilves pushed for the young country to go in that direction. For one, he said, he knew that some countries that might oppose allowing Estonia into NATO would not be able to keep them out as easily, if at all, if they were part of the EU.”

"The reason I did that was that Estonia, like its southern neighbors, all it cared about was NATO for fairly obvious reasons," he said. "But my foreign policy experience and being in Washington before that convinced me there was no way we would ever be allowed into NATO because of opposition of Germany, France, the UK, and some other countries. But if you join the European Union, they can't veto you. So when I came here, I said, 'OK we're going to reorient toward the European Union, and not only reorient, but we're going to work our butts off to get in there’.”

https://www.npr.org/2022/06/02/1102234774/former-estonian-president-speaks-about-the-war-in-ukraine-and-the-way-forward



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Friday 3. June




Tallinna Vanalinna Päevad: 3.-5. juuni

(Pealinn)

“Kolme päeva jooksul toimub vanalinnas üle 400 ürituse, programmi on kaasatud nii oma ala tipptegijaid kui ka asjaarmastajaid. Lüüakse tantsu ja tehakse teatrit, tsirkust, kunsti ja mitmekesist muusikat. Kontserte saab kuulata kirikutes ja raekojas, vanalinna hariduskolleegiumi muusikamajas ja teistes kaunites paikades.”

https://pealinn.ee/2022/06/03/juubelihongulised-vanalinnapaevad-toovad-nautimiseks-ule-400-urituse/



“Tallinn Old Town Days - 3. - 5. June” 




Niguliste kirikus sai liftišaht valmis

(ERR)

“Niguliste kirikus on valminud liftišaht ja lisakorrus ajaloolise rõdu koha peal. Sügiseks lõppema planeeritud remondi järel tekib külastajal võimalus pääseda varem ligipääsmatutesse kohtadesse ja kõrgustesse.”

https://www.err.ee/1608617956/niguliste-kirikus-sai-liftisaht-valmis




Poliitika: Praegune aeg lihtsalt ei luba poliitilisi mänge

(Postimees | Eesti Päevaleht | Õhtuleht | Delfi | ERR)

“Valitsuse kukkumine Ukraina sõja ajal annab märku siinsest poliitilisest ebaküpsusest, kuid peab lootma, et võimalik uus koalitsioon Reformierakonna, Isamaa ja sotside vahel toob kastanid tulest välja ja juhib Eestit kriisis edasi. President Alar Karis vabastas eile peaminister Kaja Kallase ettepanekul ametist Keskerakonna ministrid. Poliitiline vodevill koalitsioonipartnerite Reformierakonna ja Keskerakonna vahel oli kestnud päevi ja tüüdanud Eesti avalikkust oma poliitilise mängurlusega. Ütles ka president oma Kadriorus tehtud avalduses, et uue valitsuse moodustamisega on kiire.”

https://arvamus.postimees.ee/7537815/juhtkiri-eesti-vajab-kiirelt-uut-valitsust

https://epl.delfi.ee/artikkel/120015908/juhtkiri-kolmikliit-taastaks-usalduse-valitsuse-vastu

https://www.ohtuleht.ee/1063598/otseblogi-kes-saavutab-kokkuleppe-kiiremini-reformierakond-peab-koalitsioonikonelusi-isamaa-ja-sotsidega-keskerakond-aga-isamaa-ja-ekrega

https://www.delfi.ee/artikkel/120015742/otseblogi-valitsusliit-on-langenud-keskerakond-tegi-isamaale-ja-ekrele-ettepaneku-alustada-voimukonelusi

https://news.err.ee/1608618850/estonian-prime-minister-dismisses-junior-coalition-partner-from-government

https://www.postimees.ee/7537645/video-blogi-ja-galerii-kaja-kallas-raagib-valitsuse-lagunemisest-ja-uue-moodustamisest

https://www.err.ee/1608619180/kiik-keskerakond-alustab-konsultatsioone-ekre-ja-isamaaga

https://news.err.ee/1608618985/helme-on-potential-coalition-with-center-and-isamaa-i-m-open-to-ideas

--

https://www.err.ee/1608618844/kallas-saatis-keskerakonna-valitsusest-valja

https://www.president.ee/et/meediakajastus/pressiteated/53741

https://www.president.ee/et/meediakajastus/pressiteated/53743




Interview: Estonian PM Kaja Kallas

(Baltic Times)

Q: “If you had a chance to tell Putin something straight to his face, what would the words be?”

A: “I have no intention of meeting him.”

https://www.baltictimes.com/estonian_pm_kaja_kallas___seven_out_of_eight_ethnic_russians___either_as_citizens_or_loyal_permanent_residents___are_successfully_integrated_/




Number of Ukrainians crossing Estonia's eastern border tripled in Q1

(ERR)

“During the first 4 months of 2022, a total of 233,454 people crossed into Estonia via the eastern border in Narva. This is 4 times more than in 2021 — during the coronavirus pandemic — but still less than half as many as in 2020, pre-pandemic. Between January and April 2021, only 64,139 people crossed the eastern border into Estonia.”

https://news.err.ee/1608617086/number-of-ukrainians-crossing-estonia-s-eastern-border-triples-in-q1




NATO: 2% spending guideline is a bare minimum that needs to be exceeded

By Svetlana Shkolnikova, Stars and Stripes

“Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed Thursday to prod NATO member nations to contribute their fair share to the military alliance as it confronts a revanchist Russia. The two met ahead of a consequential NATO summit in Spain later this month that will see the alliance unveil the first major document laying out its priorities since 2010 and consider new membership applications from Finland and Sweden.”

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2022-06-02/nato-pentagon-6216260.html



“NATO Secretary General meets U.S. Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon.” - NATO press release


“What's Next For Finland and Sweden's NATO Bids.” - RFERL


“US Congress allocates 180 million dollars towards Baltic defence.” - BNN


“NATO increasingly aware of need for brigades in Baltics.” - Baltic Times


“Estonia looks to Sweden for women's national defense recruitment model.” - ERR




Kremlin’s Other Special Operation Seeks to Get Western Elites to Desert Ukraine

By Paul Goble

“Having failed to win its first “special operation” against Ukraine, the Kremlin has launched a second one that it believes it will have more success, Andrey Piontkovsky says. Its various soft power agencies, he continues, are working overtime to convince Western elites that they must desert Ukraine rather than stand up to Russian aggression. … The message Moscow wants to deliver and that all too many Western commentators are prepared to do …  “Don’t humiliate Russia. Force Ukraine to agree to a division of that country. …”

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2022/06/kremlins-other-special-operation-seeks.html







Thursday 2. June



Rahvaloendus: Eesti rahvaarv ja eestlaste arv on kasvanud

(Eesti Statistika)

“Loendusmomendi ehk 31. detsembri 2021 seisuga elas Eestis alaliselt 1 331 824 inimest, mis on 2,9% rohkem kui kümme aastat tagasi samal ajal. Mehi on 47,6% ja nende osakaal kasvas 1,2 protsendipunkti, naiste osakaal on 52,4%. Keskmine Eesti elanik on 42,2-aastane ehk 1,4 aastat vanem kui oli keskmine elanik 2011. aastal. Rahvastiku vananemise positiivne külg on see, et 80-aastaste ja vanemate inimeste arv on suurenenud – ehk meie inimeste eluiga pikeneb ning eriti on seda märgata meeste osas. …”

https://www.stat.ee/et/uudised/rahvaloendus-eesti-rahvaarv-ja-eestlaste-arv-kasvanud




2021 population census showed the number of Estonians increased by 2.9%

(Statistics Estonia | Estonian World | BNN)

“At the moment of census, on 31. December 2021, there were 1,331,824 people living permanently in Estonia, which is 2.9% more than at the same time ten years ago. Men account for 47.6% of the population and their share increased by 1.2 percentage points, while the share of women is 52.4%.  The average inhabitant of Estonia is 42.2 years old, or 1.4 years older than the average inhabitant in 2011.”

https://estonianworld.com/life/census-estonias-population-and-the-number-of-estonians-have-grown/


https://bnn-news.com/number-of-estonians-grew-over-ten-years-population-census-shows-235153

https://www.stat.ee/en/uudised/rahvaloendus-eesti-rahvaarv-ja-eestlaste-arv-kasvanud




Estonia to support defense companies with nearly €700,000

(Estonian World)

“… the money will go to seven companies that participated in the Defence Innovation Competition. The supported projects include a tactical data exchange platform compatible with a combat control system, an infrared thermal camera for both satellites and drones, a directional mine training system, …”

https://estonianworld.com/technology/estonia-to-support-companies-for-developing-smart-defence-products/



“Estonia allocates €2.2m to increase local governments' crisis preparedness.” - ERR




Baltics stop buying Russian electricity

(ERR | BNN)

“The Baltic states stopped purchasing electricity from Russia on June 1 to reduce reliance on their eastern neighbor. Baltic Transmission System Operators (TSOs) - Estonian "Elering", Latvian AS "Augstsprieguma tīkls" (AST) and Lithuanian "Litgrid" agreed to make changes in balancing the Baltic energy system to reduce dependence on the Russian energy system. From Wednesday, the balance of consumption and generation in the Baltics will be ensured mainly with the balancing capacities available on the Baltic, Nordic and Polish markets.”

https://news.err.ee/1608617155/baltics-stop-buying-electricity-from-russia

https://bnn-news.com/baltic-states-to-discontinue-procuring-ballasting-electricity-from-russia-235168



“Finland, Baltic states postpone gas pipeline maintenance to secure supply.” - Reuters




Moscow Raises Two Territorial Issues After Helsinki Requests to Join NATO

By Paul Goble, 31. May

“The first involves the status of the Åland Islands, which, by international agreement, have a demilitarized status. The second is the future status of the Saimaa Canal, which links the Finnish lakes to the Gulf of Finland but passes through Russian territory. Moscow has leased Helsinki land along this canal for 50 years, but what Russia will do if Finland becomes a member of the North Atlantic Alliance remains an open question. …”

https://jamestown.org/program/moscow-raises-two-territorial-issues-after-helsinki-requests-to-join-nato/



“US Gen. Mark Milley is to meet with President Niinistö and Defence Minister Kaikkonen.” - Yle


“Finlandization as policy choice now in the dustbin of history.” - Paul Goble


“Podcast: Finnish and Swedish Perspectives on NATO Membership.” - Lawfare


“Decline in Finns’ standard of living is an unavoidable consequence of soaring consumer prices.” - Helsinki Times


“Russia blocks access to Finnish news websites.” - Yle




Denmark votes 66.9% to 33.1% to join EU’s common defence policy

(The Guardian)

“… becoming the last of the bloc’s members to sign up, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to reshape Europe’s security landscape. The referendum followed historic applications by Denmark’s previously non-aligned Nordic neighbours, Finland and Sweden, to join Nato last month.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/01/denmark-votes-on-joining-eus-common-defence-policy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other



“Russia’s war in Ukraine prompts Danes to ditch skepticism about closer security integration.” - Politico Europe


“Sweden Sending ‘Robot 17’ Coastal Defense Missiles To Ukraine.” - The Drive




Has Western Support for Ukraine Peaked?

(The Atlantic)

“We’ve likely reached the high-water mark of the grand alliance to defeat Russia in Ukraine. In the coming months, relations between the Ukrainian leadership and its external supporters will grow strained, and the culprit will be economic pain exacerbated by the war.”

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/06/ukraine-western-support-concession-economic-cost/661155/



“Millions rushed to leave Ukraine. Now the queue to return home stretches for miles.” - NPR






Wednesday 1. June



Hinnatõus Eestis oli mais üle 20%

(Estonian World Review)

“Euroala aastane inflatsioon kiirenes Eurostati kiirhinnangu kohaselt maikuus 8,1 protsendini ning Eestis euroala kõrgeimale tasemele ehk 20,1 protsendini.”

https://www.eesti.ca/hinnatous-eestis-oli-mais-ule-20-kiireim-euroopas/article59305



“Estonia clocks fastest inflation in the Eurozone at 20.1 %.” - ERR


“Estonia's spending is out of hand.” - ERR


“Estonians make €1,593 a month on average.” - Estonian World


“Estonia's GDP increases 4.3 %.” - ERR


“Estonia is now clamping down on cryptocurrency licenses.” - Euronews


“Estonia’s economic growth hindered by rising prices.” - Estonian World




Kallas: Gas sanctions would be more difficult - it will affect all of Europe

(The Guardian)

“After nearly a month of wrangling, the EU agreed to ban 90% of Russian oil imports by the end of the year, with an exemption for Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. These landlocked central European countries, heavily dependent on Russian oil, can continue being supplied via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline for an indeterminate period.”

“Following the oil embargo, a measure that would have been unthinkable six months ago, Baltic leaders called for talks on further sanctions. Estonia’s prime minister, Kaja Kallas, said the EU needed to start discussing its next sanctions against Russia because things were “not going any better” in Ukraine. “As long as the war is going on, there is no peace, Ukraine hasn’t won the war; we haven’t done enough.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/31/eu-leaders-say-gas-unlikely-to-be-part-of-new-round-of-russia-sanctions?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other



“President Karis Calls For Europe's Unity To Ensure Ukraine's Victory.” - Republic World


“Don’t expect the EU to ban Russian gas any time soon.” - Politico Europe


“Raw material imports from Russia to Estonia winding down.” - ERR







Tuesday 31. May



Eesti paistab Euroopas silma radioaktiivse joogiveega

(Novaator)

“Eesti inimeste joogivees leidub võrreldes paljude teiste Euroopa riikidega rohkem radioaktiivseid aineid, kuid teadlaste sõnul ei kujuta need tervisele märgatavat ohtu. Küll aga võiks anda see mõtteainet vee käitlemisega tegelevatele ettevõtetele.”

https://novaator.err.ee/1608606922/eesti-paistab-euroopas-silma-radioaktiivse-joogiveega




Paldiski LNG terminal in Estonia step closer to completion

(Offshore Energy)

“Estonian energy company Alexela has said that dredging work at the Paldiski LNG terminal site is finished, bringing the import terminal a step closed to completion to serve as an alternative to Russian gas.”

https://www.offshore-energy.biz/paldiski-lng-terminal-in-estonia-step-closer-to-completion/



“Gazprom avaldas gaasiekspordi languse numbrid.” - Postimees




Estonian robotics company Milrem launches an autonomous surveillance ground system

(Estonian World)

“The THeMIS Observe is based on Milrem’s THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle and integrated with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment from various leaders in their fields, the company said in a statement.”

https://estonianworld.com/technology/estonian-robotics-company-milrem-launches-an-autonomous-surveillance-ground-system/



“THeMIS Observe.” - Milrem


“THeMIS Observe + Shark.” - Milrem


“Most people yet to accept driverless military robots, Estonian-led study shows.” - Estonian World








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Putin’s War

__________



Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment: 2. June 2022

(ISW)

“Russian forces continued to make incremental, grinding, and costly progress in eastern Ukraine on June 2. … Russian military leadership continues to experience complications with sufficient force generation and maintaining the morale of mobilized personnel.”

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-2




On 100th day of invasion, Russia seems unlikely to roll back its troops

(CBC)

“The ruble is now an official currency in the southern Kherson region, alongside the Ukrainian hryvnia. Residents there and in Russia-controlled parts of the Zaporizhzhia region are being offered expedited Russian passports. The Kremlin-installed administrations in both regions have talked about plans to become part of Russia. The Moscow-backed leaders of separatist areas in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, which is mostly Russian-speaking, have expressed similar intentions.”

“The Kremlin has largely kept mum about its plans for the cities, towns and villages it has bombarded, encircled and finally captured. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said it will be up to the people living in seized areas to decide their status. …”

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-war-day-100-russia-invasion-1.6476606




‘Tens of Thousands’ of Russians wounded in Ukraine are overwhelming Putin-optimized hospitals

By  Paul Goble

“The situation is especially dire in Moscow and other major cities because doctors and other medical personnel there have been shifted to locations closer to the front lines. In response, the authorities have called for volunteers, including from the Orthodox Church, even though many of them lack medical training.”

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2022/06/tens-of-thousands-of-russians-wounded.html



“Some Russian troops are refusing to return to fight in Ukraine because of their experiences on the front line at the start of the invasion.” - BBC




Chernobyl scarred by Russian troops' damage and looting

(BBC)

“Ukraine says the Russian army looted or damaged more than 1,000 computers at the Chernobyl nuclear power station and stole trucks and radiation dosimeters. Chernobyl's information director Vitaliy Medved said nuclear equipment was not damaged and "regarding radiation safety everything is OK”. The losses caused by the Russian occupation - now ended - are put at more than 1.6bn hryvnia (£44m; $54m).”

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61685643




Vladimir Putin clings to semblance of normality as his war grinds on

(Reuters)

“Approaching the 100-day mark in a war that he refuses to call by its name, Russian President Vladimir Putin is a man intent on conveying the impression of business as usual. … For a man whose army has heavily underperformed in Ukraine and been beaten back from its two biggest cities, suffering untold thousands of casualties, Putin shows no visible sign of stress.”

“Should Russia's offensive falter, Putin could be forced into declaring a full-scale mobilisation of reserves to bolster his depleted forces … "This would involve more than a million people in Russia, and then of course it will be visible for those whose who have not yet realised that Russia is in a full war," said Gerhard Mangott, an Austrian academic who has met and observed Putin over many years.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-clings-semblance-normality-his-war-grinds-2022-06-02/



“Putin thinks West will blink first in war of attrition.” - Washington Post




Russia’s war has already caused irreparable damage to the environment

By Anette Parksepp, SEI Tallinn

“Especially destructive environmental impacts are suffered from the use of scorched earth strategies when big industrial complexes, energy plants and storage facilities are attacked. Often, agricultural facilities, farmlands and reservoirs are destroyed in conflict and forests and nature reserves burned down. On the one hand, this kind of destruction poses a short-term risk to people’s health and the environment. On the other hand, military conflicts usually have a long-term impact on the environment as well, polluting soil, contaminating the water supply and thus creating long-term health issues, hunger and other problems for people living in that environment.”

https://www.sei.org/featured/russia-has-caused-irreparable-damage-to-the-environment/




The folly of ‘off-ramps’

by Timothy Snyder

“The Russian media and political system is designed to keep Putin in power regardless of what happens in the outside world.  Russian politics takes place within a closed information environment which Putin himself designed and which Putin himself runs.  He does not need our help in the real world to craft reassuring fictions for Russians.  He has been doing this for twenty years without our help.”

            “Ukrainians understand this, which is one reason that they become irritated when we suggest that they concede territory or victory to Russia because of a concern about Putin's internal state.  They know that this is not only unjust but pointless.  What matters in Russian politics is not Putin's feelings nor battlefield realities but the ability of the Putin regime to change the story for Russian media consumers. It is senseless, as the Ukrainians understand, to sentence real people of real territories to suffer and die for the sake of Russian narratives that do not even depend upon the real world.”

https://snyder.substack.com/p/the-folly-of-off-ramps?s=r



“Ukraine facing grinding campaign as it waits for weapons.” - AP


“Zelenski: Venemaa kontrollib Ukrainast viiendikku.” - ERR


“Opinion: Russia Won’t Return Occupied Land. So Don’t Ask.” - Daily Beast


“Harri Moora: Venemaa agressioon on juba põhjustanud keskkonnale korvamatut kahju.” - Eesti Päevaleht, paywall


“The ‘Death Cult’ Keeping Russia in Ukraine.” - The Bulwark


“Teet Kalmus: Ukraina üksused taanduvad Severodonetskist.” - Estonian World Review


“Fighting Intensifies As Ukraine's Troops Hold Onto The 'Road Of Life’.” - RFERL


“U.S. Plans To Sell Armed MQ-1C Gray Eagle Drones To Ukraine.” - The Aviationist


“US providing Ukraine with 4 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, that can strike targets up to 43 miles away.” - Task and Purpose


“Opinion: I Thought Putin Invaded Only Ukraine. I Was Wrong.” - NYT


“Opinion: The west must hold its nerve on Ukraine.” - Financial Times


“Why the Russian Despot Can Neither Mobilize Nor Retreat.” - Foreign Affairs


“Russian army loses a generation of young officers; reports of localised mutinies.” - The Times







And Finally:



Media: The rumor mill about Putin’s health has reached a fever pitch

(Politico Europe)

“Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this week felt it necessary to shoot down any suggestion that Putin was sick. “You know, President Putin appears in public every day. You can see him on the screens, read his speeches, listen to his speeches,” he said, speaking to French media TF1. “I don’t think sane people can discern any sort of symptom of disease in this man.”

“Sane or not, media have for months speculated over the state of the Russian leader, interpreting everything from his bloated appearance as a sign of steroid-use, to implying the Russian leader has Parkinson’s and cancer. Video footage showing Putin fiercely gripping a table while looking uncomfortable during a recent meeting, making twitchy hand gestures and seeming to limp during Russia’s Victory Day parade, have only added to this free-for-all among armchair physicians. Doctors have so far argued none of this is strong enough to indicate Putin is ill, and only an up-close diagnosis could verify the rumors. Intelligence experts have largely agreed.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/backpain-cancer-and-covid-vladimir-putin-top-health-scares-throughout-the-years/





Cartoon by Marian Kamensky


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