In the week before our Christmas here in Scotland - as opposed to the Orthodox Christmas - there has been talk of a Christmas truce. Hungarian peacemaker, Viktor Orban, has attempted to talk with Zelensky about such a truce but the request was rejected in a ‘somewhat strained’ manner - which is diplomatic speak for ‘impolite’ - I assume. It appears that Russia accepted the offer, according to Orban. You can read more at RT.
The EU leaders, while lacking enthusiasm for this initiative, were keen to give more money to Ukraine so that it can kill more Russians and Ukrainians. On this occasion, however, Hungary frustrated their blood lust with a veto. When I heard about Orban’s approach, I immediately thought of the famous spontaneous truce on the Western Front in 1914. Here, the Tommies and the Fritzes had a drink together, played football together and maybe sang Stille Nacht together (see picture)1. The event frightened Europe’s ruling classes because they had lost control - if only momentarily. But then a few days later they continued to kill each other. For those of us who yearn for peace in the world, the possibility of the guns falling silent, even if only for a day or two, has an enduring appeal.
However, current events do not inspire optimism for ‘peacemongers’ as conflicts continue throughout the world, including the Middle East. In Syria, the Israelis continue to bomb anything that may threaten them and are clinging onto the Golan Heights, from which they obtain the water that sustains life in Israel. But recent reports suggest that the Zionists are penetrating deeper into Syrian territory. HTS is not entirely happy with this and continues to act ‘according to its (terrorist) nature’. As I have said, this unnatural ‘marriage’ between HTS and Israel could soon end in bloody divorce. Turkiye will also be watching the Israelis carefully while it continues to attack the US backed Kurds - which may have prompted Anthony Blinken’s recent visit to Erdogan. It’s a complicated mess that I can’t explore here but would recommend Jacques Baud and Alastair Crooke. There is no agreement amongst commentators about what will happen in the Middle East. Some are more optimistic than others. But Hamas and Hezbollah have not been defeated and it remains to be seen whether Iran can still supply and support the latter.
The resistance against Israel in Gaza continues as Hamas ambushes Israeli tanks and infantry while taking casualties (martyrs) themselves. The Houthis (Ansar Allah) are reminding the Israelis that in spite of Hezbollah’s absence they are still in a war, sending civilians scurrying to the shelters with ‘hypersonic’ missile attacks. Israel continues to break the ceasefire in Lebanon - to no one’s surprise.
In the US, Donald Trump, to his credit, has spoken out against the madness of allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia with ATACMS. Thank God for a little sanity from a leader of the ‘free world’. In an interview, Trump showed genuine concern for the pointless death and destruction that is happening in Ukraine - as you can see here. It appears that Zelensky and his NATO helpers launched ATACMS and Stormshadows into Rostov on the 18th December so Z is obviously taking no notice of Trump’s wishes at all. This could be due to the fact that the Donald doesn’t appear to be offering Ukraine very much at all apart from reality - i.e. the acceptance of territorial losses. This is the last thing the Ukrainian Nazis will want but maybe even the Nazis are getting real. Zelensky is caught between a rock and a hard place - I certainly wouldn’t swap places with him.
The Europeans were in disarray and disharmony before, after and during their recent get together in Brussels. The 15th round of sanctions was unveiled by Crazy von der leyen and Callous Kallas, no doubt with great ceremony, but it’s all getting so boring (see below). On a positive note, Hungary blocked more aid to Ukraine and a move to sanction Georgian officials, while poor Olaf Scholz lost his vote of no confidence - so German elections will be held in February.
On the battlefronts, the Russians are more likely to break through in the Pokrovsk/Kurakhovo Direction than any other. The failure of two Ukrainian brigades to retake Shevchenko (near Pokrovsk), while suffering heavy casualties, illustrates the sad condition of Ukraine’s army. These brigades were probably at 50% strength and were not fresh: having come from the fighting around Kharkov.
Zelensky apparently has ordered Syrsky to hold Kursk and Pokrovsk until Trump’s inauguration on January 20th in order to demonstrate the stability of the fronts. But in the real world, no front is stable for Ukraine. In spite of this, there are even rumours of another Ukrainian offensive into Russia!
The Western leaders are calling for a cull (mobilisation) of 18 year olds and I think Zelensky could use this as a bargaining chip for more weapons or money. But once Trump takes the reigns the US will not cough up, so Z will be relying on the European (dis)Union.
The ‘Colour Revolution’ in Georgia is failing and the people are now being threatened by the US State Department with ‘consequences’ for voting the wrong way.
Finally, General Igor Kirillov, who exposed the US biolabs projects in Ukraine, has been assassinated in Moscow (see Ukraine Terror Attacks below). As Scott Ritter points out, this was a criminal act rather than a military one and the Russians will treat it as such.
What a week.
Remembrance Day For Journalists - Dec 15th
The 15th December is Remembrance Day for journalists, photographers and so on. Many have been killed in Ukraine, in Lebanon and in Gaza. I have been following these brave people, including Graham Phillips, Patrick Lancaster and Eva Bartlett for years now. I am acquainted with the work of some who have been murdered. We owe these people a great deal because they have brought us truth by risking their own lives and sometimes at the cost of their own lives. Respect!
You can read more about their sacrifices at Sputnik.
United Russia Conference
This was the 22nd United Russia Conference of Putin’s ruling party and was held in Moscow this week. At a plenary session, Putin said:
Russia is developing, the economy is growing. And this is against the backdrop of unprecedented sanctions, blunt interference, and pressure from the ruling elites of certain states..no blackmail or attempts from outside to hinder us will ever yield results.
He also reminded people that the Ukraine conflict is a proxy war being fought by NATO and the West to contain Russia which remains resilient even in the face of ‘illegal’ sanctions. Moreover, he said, this war is being fought:
not only along the front line. Indeed, this global and decisive confrontation affects all aspects of our lives, including culture, education, worldviews, the economy and technology.
In consequence of this:
The country has undergone a qualitative transformation...That's the main point. The resources of the state, society and business have substantially increased, and our development agenda has become truly comprehensive, systematic and strategic, looking to the future for decades to come. We have such an opportunity.
I think many Christians are aware that: ’when God closes a door; somewhere he opens a window’. This is what has happened for Russia with or without ‘divine intervention’. - who knows. An opportunity was created by Western incompetence and Russia made the most of it. That’s where we are.
Speaking at the Conference, Dmitry Medvedev conceded that there may be a request from ‘regions very close to us’ to join the Russian Federation - according to RT. This is the biggest hint yet that some Ukrainian oblasts - e.g. Kharkov and Odessa - may want a vote to join Russia. Many of the people in these oblasts speak the Russian language and see themselves connected more with Russia than Ukraine with regard to religion and culture. Given that Ukraine has almost disintegrated and Russia is growing stronger and more important on the world stage - who would you choose to join. It’s a no brainer really.
Belousov
Neo-Nazis control less than 1% of the LPR territory and 25-30% of the DPR territory, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions. The enemy's combat potential has been undermined, this year alone the losses have exceeded 560 thousand servicemen killed and wounded, in total since the beginning of the SMO - almost a million people. In the Kursk adventure alone the Kiev regime lost about 40 thousand servicemen.
Belousov also said that a conflict with NATO is possible within the next decade as the West prepares for war. But Russia will create ‘effective mechanisms for a collective response’. You can read more at Tass.
Putin’s Q&A and The Oreshnik Challenge
During his annual Q&A session on the 19th December, Putin delivered the Oreshnik Challenge to the West. Let them choose a target, he said (e.g. in Kiev), and deploy all their air defences, then Russia will launch the Oreshnik at this target. Then, ‘we will see what happens. I am ready for such an experiment’, he said. Putin knows that nothing can stop the Oreshnik. He also pointed out that the Russian army is better prepared than any other in the world and that this has been achieved because Russia has become a sovereign nation (independent of the West) over the past three years. Putin also talked about the strength of the Russian economy and his willingness to negotiate with Trump based on the realities on the ground. You can read a summary of his interview at Tass. Over 2 millions messages were received at the session which lasted more than four hours. Zelensky condemned Putin’s little joke by calling Putin an ‘inadequate person’ and a ‘scumbag’. Oh Dear. He was quite agitated in saying this as you can see. There’s no hiding place from the hazel nut, Zelensky. But was Putin joking or just trolling. You may be able to judge from this on Telegram or this from X.
But Trump Says No To ATACMS
In an interview with Time Magazine, Donald Trump said that:
I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done.
Trump also said that:
[The] numbers of dead young soldiers lying on fields all over the place are staggering. It’s crazy what’s taking place.
Trump no longer believes the falsely low figures provided by Z and others. Scott Ritter’s nuclear awareness campaign may have brought the danger home to Trump and prompted this statement.2
Trump has not invited Zelensky to his inauguration but according to a Ukrainian report Donald may change his mind if the once great Z begs.
Trump’s statements above are like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room or a burst of sanity in an insane world. But Zelensky was not listening since he used ATACMS on the 18th December (see below).
Nebanzya - No Freeze in Ukraine
Russia’s UN representative, Vasily Nebanzya, told a Security Council Meeting that Russia will not accept a conflict freeze in Ukraine so that the enemy can ‘lick it wounds’. He explained:
No schemes to freeze the conflict will suit Russia. The example of the Minsk agreements has fully convinced us that neither the West nor, even more so, the Kiev junta can be trusted.
I like this man.
Polish School Children and the ‘Russian Threat’
In a bizarre move by the Polish authorities, schoolkids are being taught how to handle firearms in preparation for the mythical ‘Russian Threat’. Ukrainian school children have been doing this for some time, and the Poles, feeling threatened by a possible Russian invasion, are doing the same. One school Principal said:
Poland is scared and wants the younger generation to learn how to handle weapons as soon as possible.
Kids’ knowing how to shoot won’t win a war against a far superior opponent, so this is just a form of sabre rattling, conscious or unconscious. If they had studied the SMO and the historical reasons for it, they would have spared themselves the anguish. But the kids appear to be enjoying it - better than maths, I suppose.
It seems that Putin agrees with me about the mythical Russian threat:
The West is scaring its population with the idea that we are going to attack someone. The tactics are very simple. They are driving us to the red line, beyond which we can no longer retreat, we begin to respond, and then they scare their population with the Russian threat.
These fear tactics are so overdone by the West that even the gullible out there just may start to question it. We live in hope.
Putin On Sending 18 Year Olds To Their Deaths
I think that the next crime of the Kyiv regime will be lowering the mobilization age to 18. This is a crime. Even if they lower it to 14, like in Hitler's Germany, it will not change the situation on the battlefield. At the behest of the US, they will also lower the mobilization. And the boys will be driven to the slaughter. Just as today they catch people on the street, like stray dogs, and drive them under the bullets. The boys will be driven in the same way. And then, the regime leaders will flee.
And here’s what awaits the mobilised before death or mutilation:
Prison for the Mobilised
Mobilised Ukrainian men are being kept in appalling conditions before being sent to the front as you can see here. It’s a bloody nightmare.
Ukrainian Soldiers Massacre Whole Families
On October 30, 2024, while retreating from the village of Kruglyakovka in the Kharkiv region, AFU soldiers marched along Pobedy Street, firing indiscriminately at homes. In the yard of house number 59, they spotted Lyudmila and Anatoly Berezin, who rushed into their home seeking shelter from the gunfire. The AFU soldiers threw a grenade and a smoke bomb through the window. Dazed and disoriented, the couple managed to stumble into their yard, only to be gunned down with automatic rifle fire.
The Ukrainians then placed booby traps on the bodies.
In another incident some time ago in Mariupol, according to The Islander:
Svetlana Vladimirovna Surma from Mariupol, Korolenko lane, told us that there was an “Azov” sniper settled in the house near Korolenko Lane, Gugelya Street. He was shooting at small children. When families left houses, he killed first children of 3-5 years old, then killed their parents. There were no Russian or Donetsk soldiers, only Ukrainian divisions and Azov.
Another report claims that around the same time Ukrainian snipers located on the upper floors of buildings in Makhinov Street, Mariupol, shot at residents when they tried to leave - killing many.
Ukrainians Killed 100 in Selidovo
This report claims that Ukrainian soldiers along with Georgian and French mercenaries, killed over 100 civilians just before their recent retreat from Selidovo (DPR). They shot their victims in the head and neck and killed whole families. The International Public Tribunal for the Crimes of Ukrainian Neo-Nazis provides a detailed report here. Sputnik also covers this report.
Border Guards Fleeing
More and more Border guards are abandoning their posts and fleeing west, according to the Islander Once the guards start leaving the prison, the authorities are in big trouble. So those who have been preoccupied with forcing others to be cannon fodder fear that they could become cannon fodder themselves as part of the latest ‘recruitment’ drive. The hunter has become the hunted.
Ukraine Terrorist Attacks
13th/14th December
Two Ukrainian drones attacked a minibus in Kherson overnight, killing one passenger and injuring two others. Seven drones were destroyed over Bryansk while in Krasnador drones caused some damage to buildings.
In Belgorod District, a man was injured by a drone attack on his car while in the village of Mayskiy a nine year old boy was killed by a drone attack on his house. His mother and seven month old sister were injured.
14th/15th December
Overnight, explosions were heard over Sochi where the air defences were triggered. In Gorlovka, a drone attack destroyed civilian infrastructure damaging an underground passage but no casualties were reported.
15th/16th December
Poor Gorlovka (DPR) was attacked again with a drone drops on a car, which killed one and injured another while cluster munitions injured another three.
16th/17th December
Overnight in Belgorod Region a drone attacked a moving lorry injuring the driver.
17th December - Russian General Assassinated
On the 17th December, Russia’s Chief of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Forces, General Igor Kirillov, was killed by a bomb blast in Moscow along with his assistant. Maria Zakharova paid this tribute to the man:
Lieutenant General of the Russian Armed Forces' RBZ Igor Kirillov has been systematically exposing the crimes of the Anglo-Saxons for many years, with facts in hand: NATO provocations with chemical weapons in Syria, Britain's manipulations with prohibited chemical substances and provocations in Salisbury and Amesbury, the deadly activities of American biolabs in Ukraine and much more. He worked fearlessly. He did not hide behind people's backs. He went with an open visor. For the Motherland, for the truth.
This Ukrainian source suggests that MI6 was also involved. Given Kirillov’s exposure of US involvement in the biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine, it is no surprise that he became a target but Alexander Mercouris believes it possible that he was targeted because his low security status made him an easier kill. His assistant/driver was Ilya Polikarpov who is survived by a wife and two small children.
Characteristically, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Z, has blamed Putin for the murder.
Dmitry Medvedev said that ‘we should do everything to destroy those who ordered the murder’. You could not blame the Russians for going after the likes of intelligence chief Budanov or even the Zelensky himself - but I would be surprised if they did. They must surely know that they are being provoked so they will choose a retaliatory device which will not escalate.
The Russians are much too legalistic for your typical Western ‘knee jerk’ reaction and will investigate and seek evidence.
You can see some footage here and you can read more at Sputnik. b at the Moon of Alabama provides some discussion here. Some of the comments are also interesting: there are some clever and knowledgeable contributors to the MoA.
According to a Ukrainian source, all the ‘sleeper agents’ controlled by the GUR and SBU are being activated inside Russia to disrupt the negotiating process. So we can expect more assassinations.
Dmitry Medvedev, annoyed at the lack of condemnation from Western sources, noted that terror attacks are now acceptable ‘so long as they are aimed at Russia'.
According to this report from Tass, a citizen of Uzbekistan was arrested and admitted to being recruited by Ukrainian Intelligence Services to carry out the attack for the princely sum of $100,000 and relocation to a European country.
18th/19th December
On the afternoon of the 18th December and throughout the night Ukrainian drones and missiles attacked the Rostov region. Ten missiles were shot down but damage was caused to houses in the Kamanesky District. Overnight, 3 dozen drones and 3 missiles were used to attack Taganrog, Bataysk, Shakhty, Kamensk and Mallervo. Drones were destroyed over Bryansk and Voronezh regions. A total of 84 ‘aircraft-type’ drones were shot down over Russian territory.
19th/20th December
Overnight, four drones were shot down over Bryansk, while in Belgorod drones damaged cars and houses but caused no casualties. In Gorlovka (DPR), which suffers a great deal, 9 civilians were injured by cluster munitions. Overnight, according to the Russian MoD:
The air defense forces on duty intercepted and destroyed 36 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles. 16 UAVs were destroyed over the territory of Krasnodar region, 14 - over the Black Sea, 5 - over the territory of Bryansk region and one - over the territory of Belgorod region.
The Air War (Map)
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
16th/17th December
Overnight, Russia attacked Cherkassy, Sumy and Nikolaev regions with drones and missiles.
17th/18th December
Overnight, Geraniums struck targets in Kremenchuk, Pavlograd, Starokonstantinov, suburbs of Kiev and the Kirovograd region.
18th/19th December
Krivoy Rog was attacked overnight according to this report. Blackouts followed the attacks according to this.
19th/20th December - Massive Russian Attack
Overnight, a warehouse near Boryspil Airport in Kiev was destroyed by missiles. You can see some more images here. According to this report, explosions were heard throughout the city as many warehouses appear to have been hit. Another report claims that an SBU command centre was hit along with a defence industry plant and Patriot air defence systems. This is confirmed by a Russian MoD statement as retaliation for the recent Ukrainian attacks using ATACMS/Stromshadows. An airfield at Vasylkiv, modified to accommodate F-16s, was destroyed, according to this report.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
13th/14th December
Many areas suffered drone attacks which targeted gas/oil facilities and airfields. Sixteen drones were shot down over the DPR, four over Shakhty, one each over Taganrog and Chaltyr (Rostov) and two over Krasnador. Drones also struck a fuel facility in Oryol causing a fire. You can see some footage here.
14th/15th December
Grozny was attacked overnight by three drones. Two were shot down and the third hit the grounds of the Russian Guard Directorate causing no casualties or damage.
18th/19th December
Overnight, drones attacked Novoshakhtinsk Oil Products Plant, causing a fire and injuring one civilian. On the 19th December, according to this report, six ATACMS and four Stormshadows also targeted the plant, which means that Russia is now obliged to retaliate.
The Ground War
Russian MoD Weekly Ukrainian Casualties Reports (excludes Kursk)
w/e 29th November 12,620 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 413
w/e 6th December 13,160 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 432
w/e 13th December 12,090 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 370
w/e 20th December 13,250 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 519
There has clearly been an uptick in losses this week.
General Gerasimov - SMO Totals
General Valery Gerasimov recently provided a summary of Ukrainian losses during the SMO. These amounted to 1 million dead and wounded and 20,000 tanks and armoured vehicles destroyed. During 2024, Russia captured 4,500 square kilometres of territory.
The Fronts
Front Line Cats
Kursk
On the 18th December, according to the Two Majors:
heavy bloody fighting continues, the RFAF continue assaults near the settlement of Kruglenkoye, as well as near the RusskoyePorechnoye village, expanding the zone of control northwest of Plekhovo. The enemy is offering fierce resistance.
On the 19th December, the Russians were advancing through Kruglenkoye and were fighting near CherkasskayaKonopelka, according to the Two Majors. Four Ukrainian counter attacks in this Direction were repelled. North of Sudzhansky District, the forests around Novolgonovka and CgherkasskayaKonopelka have been liberated.
Kupyansk
On the 20th December, according to the Majors:
North of Kupyansk, the RFAF are expanding their bridgehead on the western bank of the Oskol River and continue their attacks in the southern part of Dvurechnaya towards the centre. South of Kupyansk, the RFAF have advanced on a broad front in the direction of Zagryzovo and Lozovaya.
Toretsk
According to the Two Majors:
In Toretsk, heavy fighting is ongoing. In the central part of the city, our troops continue their attacks north of the heaps of the Tsentralnaya Mine, along Svetlaya and Mirnaya Streets, and north of the block of high-rise buildings in the direction of the Avangard Stadium.
Pokrovsk
On the 16th December, according to a Ukrainian source, the attempt to take back the village of Shevchenko, near Potrovsk has failed. Two ‘fresh’ brigades were deployed but lacked air support and suffered huge casualties.
On the 18th December, according to the Two Majors:
In Pokrovsk direction, our troops are advancing with a broad front south of Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk). There are attacks in the area of the settlements Shevchenko and Dachenskoye, in the direction of the settlements Peschanoye, Solyonoye and Novovasilyevka.
By the 19th December, the settlement at NovyTrud has been taken.
Kurakhovo
Kurakhovo Detail by Marat Khairullin
On the 14th December, according to Slavyangrad:
The AFU ran from Kurakhovo. In a herd, overtaking each other and throwing wounded on the way. They abandoned everything in the city, including ammo and provisions.
On the 18th December, according to the Two Majors:
In Kurakhovo direction, the RFAF are cleansing the Uspenovka Pocket, advancing in Kurakhovo itself and extending the zone of control southeast of the city near Zelenovka. The village of Konstantinopolskoye is occupied, they reported clearing the area.
On the 19th December:
the AFU acknowledged the loss of the Trudovoye and Uspenovka settlements. The village of Zelenovka southwest of Kurakhovo has been occupied, and the Konstantinopol - Kurakhovo Road is now 3 km to the north.
Interestingly, this report suggests that the Ukrainians abandoned Kurakhovo due to a lack of manpower. The city’s infrastructure was largely undamaged. I wonder, are we approaching a point where the manpower issue will cause a sudden collapse.
Uhledar
Velykaya (Bolshaya) Novoselka - Detail by Marat Khairullin
On December 18th, According to the Two Majors:
On the Vremyevka ledge, north of VelikayaNovosyolka, our Marines are consolidating their positions in NovyKomar and expanding the zone of control. In case of success, the enemy forces in VelikayaNovosyolka have only one supply road left - through Vremyevka. At the same time, from the south, the RFAF are conducting an offensive on the village of Storozhevoye.
On the 19th December, the village of NovyKomar was still being cleared and Razdolnoye was liberated.
Zaporozhye
On December 16th, the Russians began offensive operations against Ukrainian fortified positions in the Orekhov Direction. Artillery is providing fire support for assault groups. By the 19th December, the Russians had advanced north of Nesteryanka, capturing a Ukrainian stronghold.
The Economic War
Russian Sanctions ‘Crazy Coup’ Against EU Industry
German politician Ralph Niemeyer has described the EU’s 15th sanctions package, which targets Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers, as ‘madness’:
This is madness. It is like a state coup against our own industry. It is inexplicable. We still buy Russian [oil] and import it via India. It is a crazy situation, and I think all these sanctions have only made life harder but had no political effect on Russia.
It seems that EU sanctions reward rather than punish. But this also involves a denial of reality: Russian oil is Russian oil - no matter who you buy it from!
Niemeyer has spoken out against Germany’s lack of sovereignty and advocates the closure of US military bases in his country.
Nicaragua To Use Russian Mir
Russia hopes to introduce Mir cards into Nicaragua in the future:
We hope to advance in 2025 to create a whole network of such ATMs in the capital Managua, as well as in other important cities of our country, to simplify the situation for Russian citizens. In the future, we may also begin issuing Mir cards in Nicaragua. Thus, we will also oppose sanctions, which in fact represent unilateral aggression by the US and its European allies, which hit countries that do not want to submit to their mandate. We need to find channels for direct banking communication that are not connected in any way to the imperial dominance of the West.
This was achieved in spite of, or maybe because of the sanctions. You can read more here.
World Politics
The EU - Kaja Kallas Holds Court
Representatives of 27 EU countries gathered in Brussels on December 16th where their meeting was chaired by Kaja Kallas - EU Foreign Affairs Chief. A 15th sanctions package against Russia was unveiled along with a brand new package for Georgia. You can read more at Tass. The EU will provide Ukraine with 1.5 Billion Euros a month in aid from January 2025, according to Kallas (pictured). The Europeans will suffer for this as spending on health and social security will inevitably decline. Sanctions would also have been placed on Georgia but Fiso and Orban vetoed the move.
Kallas also called on the new Syrian government - if there is such a thing - to evict Russian soldiers from the country but she said nothing of the US’s illegal occupation of Syria and all the other foreign groups currently ensconced there.
In another interview, when asked about peacekeepers, Callous Kallas said:
Stop pushing Zelenskyy towards peace talks. We cannot talk about peacekeepers when there is no peace. And why is there no peace? Because Russia does not want peace. Supporting Ukraine now is much cheaper than tolerating war later. Russia has not changed its goals.
I wonder if she believes this nonsense. Supporting Ukraine is not cheap for Ukrainians who have suffered more than a million casualties so far. Ukraine, not Russia, has outlawed negotiations. She has no idea that if Ukraine does not negotiate Russia will simply take more territory for keeps.
The Berlin Declaration
The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the UK and the EU have made a joint statement committing themselves to Ukraine. The Declaration repeats the Western propagandistic lies about Russia, claiming it is responsible for the war, that it decided to escalate and that it is using North Korean troops. They neglect to mention the role played by NATO’s expansion, the CIA backed Maidan Coup, the persecution of Russian speakers, language and culture, the killing of thousands of Russian speaking civilians in the Donbass since 2014, the appeal to Russia from the breakaway Donetsk and Lugansk Republics and NATO’s direct involvement on the ground in the conflict.
They conclude:
The goals of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and durable security for Europe are inseparable. Ukraine must prevail. [my emphasis]
Here they go again with the moral imperative: ‘Ukraine must prevail’, which is a condition for the ‘just and lasting peace’. But saying that something must be the case will in no way guarantee that it will be the case. This aspect of Woke neo-liberalism/globalism stands out as an example of how much it is departing from reality. It is as if the declining, decaying Hegemon has abandoned physics and metaphysics because it knows that neither provides it with hope regarding its future. Instead the West’s only appeal can be made on a moral basis.
The Europeans say that they are committed to providing Ukraine with security guarantees and will continue to provide military, economic and financial aid. Furthermore:
We will continue to support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. We will continue to support Ukraine on its path towards accession to the European Union.
You can read the whole statement here.
But Europe can’t provide Ukraine with security guarantees and it will never be allowed to join NATO.
European Summit (Not the EU Summit)
The summit was held in Blenheim Palace (Churchill’s old home) and discussed security, migration and Ukraine. I’m not interested enough in this irrelevant group to provide detail but it must be irritating to Brexiteers. Are we in the EU or not?
Germans Don’t Want Peacekeepers in Ukraine
In a recent survey, 67% of the population in East Germany said they are against sending German soldiers into Ukraine as a ‘peacekeeping’ force while only 25% were in favour. The figures for West Germany were 49% and 37% respectively. Three quarters of the Greens were in favour, which is no surprise.
Macron Playing a Game
Emmanuel Macron has appointed Centrist Francois Bayrou (pictured) as Prime Minister in the knowledge that he will not be accepted by the ‘left’ or the ‘right’. This is simply a disruptive game to retain power in the centre. Bayrou famously said: ‘The European Union is the most beautiful construction of all humanity’. A self - confessed idiot: what more can I say?
Crazy Westerners
The Impossible Is Possible - Baiba Braže
Just when you thought Western leaders could not possibly depart further from reality, Latvia’s Foreign Minister, just like the European Foreign Ministers above, is attempting to defy both physics and logic by claiming:
Today we must remember that the impossible is possible. We must stand up for Ukraine, provide it with military support. This is one of the paths to peace.
In spite of your proclamations dear Baiba, the impossible will remain impossible according to definition and physics. I love the Orwellian notion that ‘war is a path to peace’.
But then she demonstrated her strategic military genius when she declared:
We believe that providing Ukraine with long-range weapons will lead to peace faster. These strikes will deprive Russia of the ability to attack Ukraine and seize territory. So it would level the battlefield a little bit.
How much is ‘a little bit’ Baiba?
Where on earth do these people come from?
Austria Parliament Discusses Break-Up of Russia
The Austrian Parliament is reported to be discussing the break-up of the Russian Federation as shown on the above map. Pure fantasy. I’ll have some of what they are smoking!
Two Tier Kier
The UK has spent $10.52 billions of British taxpayers money on providing military aid to Ukraine yet Kier Starmer notes that Putin shows ‘no sign of relenting’. The sanctions on Russia have resulted in growth of 3.6% in 2024, compared to the UK’s pathetic 1.1%. The sensible lesson to learn from this is that if you keep providing aid to Ukraine and increase sanctions on Russia, Putin will continue to show ‘no sign of relenting’. But when your actions as a government are guided by what you believe should happen rather than what is possible, you end up looking rather silly. Two Tier Kier has already shown himself to be intellectually challenged as well as immoral, so he should be nowhere near a position of authority. This tune - ‘Freezing this Christmas’ - has topped the iTunes chart in the UK.
Rutte - We Need a ‘Wartime Mindset’
Mark Rutte, the new ‘leader’ of NATO, has declared that Europeans must forget about luxuries such as health care in order to increase military spending. He peddled out the old cliche that Russia is trying to ‘crush our freedom and way of life’. He added:
Hostile actions against Allied countries are real and accelerating… These attacks are not just isolated incidents. They are the result of a coordinated campaign to destabilise our societies and discourage us from supporting Ukraine.
Those who have been paying attention will notice the repetitive nature of Western scare tactics: they said the same thing about terrorists. I wish they’d come up with something different. What about ‘Putin is in league with aliens bent on the destruction of Western civilisation’ - which is much less boring and more believable.
Chrystia Freeland - Bye, Bye.
Canadian Truckers are out celebrating - so I hear.
Wise Westerners
Pellegrini
Peter Pellegrini, President of Slovakia, demonstrated that some realism exists among European leaders when he said:
If you are talking about peace, I think you need to be a realist; today, probably, no one in Europe who thinks normally thinks that it will be possible to establish peace without some partial territorial losses for Ukraine.
He is calling for negotiations based on this realism to begin as soon as possible.
Kavelashvilli Elected Georgian President
Kavelashvilli of the Dream Party was elected President with 224 votes out of 300 through the electoral college He needed only 200 votes. In spite of this, protests continue in Georgia which Patrick Lancaster continues to cover here. Just like Viktor Orban, he used to be a footballer.
May 9th 2025 - We’ll Be There
Vucic (Serbia) and Fico (Slovakia) will attend the 80th Anniversary of the Russian defeat of the Nazis (Moscow, May 9th). Putin has given an open invitation to its World War Two allies. It will be interesting to see who goes and who doesn’t.
Yoon Suk Yeol Impeached
An attempt to impeach the South Korean President failed last week but this one succeeded by 204 votes to 85. Yeol had attempted to organise a military coup and declared martial law before opposition politicians intervened. The impeachment motion alleged Yoon "committed rebellion that hurts peace in the Republic of Korea by staging a series of riots".
Scholz Loses No Confidence Vote
Out of 717 votes cast, Scholz received 207 votes "for" and 394 "against". 116 MPs abstained. Scholtz has asked the German President to dissolve the Reichstag. So, at the moment no one is ruling in the US, France or Germany.
Irish Eyes Are Smiling
The Irish are celebrating the closure of the Israeli embassy as you can see at x.
Drones Over USA
The emerging Multi-Polar World
BRICS MICE Congress Moscow - 16th/17th December
Chair of the capital's tourism committee, Evgeny Kozlov, said:
This year Moscow is hosting the international business tourism forum for the second time. This year it is a much larger event that covers participants from 16 countries. We have more than 130 delegates coming - professionals from the business tourism market.
That’s it for another eventful week in the interregnum. All that is solid continues to melt into air.3
Many thanks for your views, your subscriptions, your likes, shares, restacks and your comments - which are welcome. I would also like to thank my followers who are growing in number. Have a good week and a good Christmas if you are celebrating it next week. Best wishes - Rob
Non subscribers can view Updates on Telegram: https://t.me/UWUupdate.
See Silent Night (2014) - by Stanley Weintraub
I should say that Scott is not claiming any credit for this as he explains in this interview with Garland Nixon.
Marx’s phrase.
The German election is on the 23rd of February. It will be interesting to see if the old parties are decimated, considering that they have totally abandoned common sense, and followed the US path, of starving health and education, for war.
Gotta love the Irish. I just wish that other nations, including mine, would give the Israeli embassies the boot, too. To not do so is to show contempt for international law.
In the meantime, predictably, Syria is like a locker full of cats that have already started attacking each other. Russia and Iran are having a pass the popcorn moment.
Another great update Rob. Thanks
Nice round up on the Western leaders as usual.
They are all on pills or how else could you not question the moronic nature of what they come out with!
Callas is a prime example of this political soundbite generation who seem to think that by uttering and articulating their words in a certain way they make themselves seem more wise and truthful.
Definitely a curriculum issue.
I read on intelslava that a taxi driver got into trouble with Latvian authorities for speaking Russian.
But it turned out he was actually a Russian-speaking, Ukrainian.
Our leaders have shit for brains.
Lets see what happens next week.