China has an authoritarian cloak that casts a shadow over the world over the issue of Ukraine and its relationship with Russia.
Russia and China are strategic allies and partners although China has not endorsed openly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine it also struggles to call or show the military situation as a war and certainly does not broadcast the atrocities being committed in Ukraine on state media. My gut feeling is that China feels behind the scenes that it could potentially benefit from a war between the West and Russia with which if it does not choose sides upon and by not competing in it ends to benefit therefore from the outcome of the conflict situation stronger than those that entered into conflict.
Even worse for the global none authoritarian and pro democratic nations if it believes that NATO goes too far in its defence of Ukrainian citizens it could have the potentially side with Russia. An escalation to a nuclear reactor incident or accident in Ukraine or a nuclear conflict in Europe alone let alone a wider nuclear conflict could destroy the ozone layer of the earth an d risk all life on earth as we know it, let alone result in a potential nuclear winter from the nuclear fallout in the sky destroying crops and life across the globe or where the situation occurs.
It is only last year that China showed its distain for the will of citizens and democracy in Hong Kong. It should also not be forgotten that China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide against the Uyghur population and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups in the north-western region of Xinjiang. Human rights groups believe China has detained more than one million Uyghurs against their will over the past few years in a large network of what the state calls “re-education camps”, and sentenced hundreds of thousands to prison terms.
The truth of the matter on how China operates within its own country and what it thinks of others and what rights others have is masked or casts a shadow on the world. They are not open and transparent about their own agenda and what their ultimate goal for their own citizens or others is.
China says officially that it respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and Russia’s security concerns – hence it is trying to ride to horses which means – to do (or attempt to do) two or more things simultaneously, often when those things conflict or are at odds with one another.
So what is at stake if something goes wrong well very much life as we or anyone else knows it hence life is walks/treads a tightrope, where we have to deal with difficult situations, especially one involving making decisions between two opposing plans of action. The present is unfolding before our eyes and the future is not written or yet to take place. The fact that we are still here is a cause of optimism and hope although the decisions that are to be made in the next few hours, days months and years will be difficult ones.
Watership Down is the tale of a group of rabbits in search of a home. Fiver, a small, young rabbit, has a gift: He can tell when things are going to happen and he can sense whether they will be good or bad. Fiver foresees great danger to the rabbits’ home warren.
Am I mad to consider prepping for a serious emergency or disaster or am I mad not to? It feels like thinking the unthinkable.
I have made some small changes to my life recently just in case there is nuclear situation that effects the Ukraine, Europe or the world, or a nuclear accident at a power plant in Ukraine which might risk people not being able to go outside their homes.
I have empty water bottles in my kitchen stacked together that I could fill up quickly.
I invested in a new pair of sturdy walking boots and thick pairs of walking socks in case I need to walk a long distance anywhere at any time for any reason.
I have purchased a new first aid kit and first aid book as my old one was a number of years out of date.
I have purchased a radio that can be recharged by a hand wind up and used in an emergency with no electricity. It also has a phone charger on it.
I have a new windup torch again charges through a turning handle which does not need batteries or electricity.
I have purchased a number of protein bars which I eat normally anyway but I have more than I would normally have just in case I am suddenly in need of food and shelter in my home.
I am going to hopefully clean out an airing cupboard on the weekend too so that I could use it as a shelter if needed in an emergency.
This is stuff that I never thought I would have to do but I am fearful that we are potentially closer to a nuclear catastrophe whether that be from a power plant accident in Ukraine or from the actual launching of rockets from Russia and it all feels so bloody unnecessary.
I feel guilty thinking and writing about this stuff. It’s easier to write down what I am up to on here than talk about this with others at the moment.
The bravery of the Ukrainian people and the generosity of the Polish people to the Ukrainians shames Putin and all he stands for and the atrocities committed in his name.
More than 1 million people have crossed from Ukraine into Poland since the Russian invasion began on 24 February, the Polish border guard has said.
Poland, which shares a 310-mile border with Ukraine, has taken in the majority of the 1.7 million people who have left their homes since the war began, with aid efforts largely operated by volunteers, as well as NGOs and municipalities.
The Polish government is introducing an aid package to fund food and temporary lodgings along with measures to allow refugees to work legally and access public healthcare and social assistance. The bill, which also provides one-off benefits for each refugee and financial help for those hosting Ukrainians, will be approved by parliament in fast track legislative procedure.
The exodus from Ukraine is the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since the second world war, according to the UN. Vast numbers of Ukrainian civilians have been fleeing cities under bombardment, including the besieged coastal city of Mariupol.
Data showed Polish border guards cleared as many as 142,300 at border crossings on Sunday, the most in a single day since the war began, and 129,000 people on Saturday.
Refugees from Ukraine have been taken into homes of Polish people with many remembering that an act of kindness provided to one of their grandparents after or during world war 2 helped their relative survive. There are many opening not just their arms but their homes to house those in need. This is unimaginable kindness in the face of such unimaginable wickedness from Putin.
Putin says the war is a way to protect Russian speaking Ukrainians. As people in Ukraine try for three days on the run now, to flee for their lives through so called peace corridors, they are then shelled for their attempts to save their lives by the Russian artillery. This is a war where Putin protects Russia speaking Ukrainians by bombing them, so that they then rest in peace on the blooded cities, towns and villages of Ukraine, this is very dark stuff.
A war where Putin intensifies emotion in those he lies to on his own side by stating that the war is one to denazify Ukraine. Why he needs to bomb innocent civilians the elderly, women and children while the world films and watches at the horror of these atrocity I really am not too sure.
The world like a oil and natural gas addicted junkie is unable to commit to cancelling its orders for oil and gas from Putin just yet. What could someone like Putin do if left in charge of a major military power that also just so happens to have one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, well we are in the process of finding out.
There is not enough oil or money in the world to pay off apologist for his regime so that more enlightened human beings don’t see straight through the propaganda it now spouts.
On March 8, 1917 women textile workers held a demonstration in Petrogad, Russia that eventually engulfed the whole city, demanding “Bread and Peace”—an end to World War I, to food shortages, and to Tsarism. Such a repeat protest would be illegal in Russia today as since 2014, holding a demonstration without the permission of authorities, even a peaceful single-person picket, is punishable by a fine or detention of up to 15 days, or up to five years in prison if it is the third breach. Why worry about a peaceful protest if you’re Putin if you can jail those that try to oppose you or protest about anything?
In this day and age in Ukraine, Putin’s fight for peace is like screwing for virginity, and with that in mind this could potentially lead to a global conflict which ensures we all get screwed. Putin is now beginning to put his cards on the table and explain to the world where he is coming from and what he is capable of and the world still appears to be in denial about this, like a victim unable to comprehend the horror that it is being threatened to be inflicted upon it.
The world is gambling with Putin that the Ukraineain and Russian blood and sacrifice of lives at Putin’s political alter of beliefs will quench his thirst and appease him a little longer.
But no bloody thirsty tyrant in the history of the world has ever had their thirst quenched by the blood of others. There are not enough bodies on this mortal plain that could be offered at the altar of Putins desires and beliefs to satisfy his thirst for vengeance and wrath upon the rest of the world.
Putin has now gone on record stating the west’s sanctions are akin to an act of war on Russia and that any country that implements a no fly zone over Ukraine would be considered “participants in a military conflict”.
Although it feels like there is only one man bating the world to inflict World War 3 upon it and no one else calling for it but Putin? He has hit Ukraine hard and fast its only 10 days since the start of this madness and he still does not describe what he is doing to his own people when he patronises them with lies and misdirection on state TV in Russia as a war in Ukraine but a special military operation. Russians now face 15 years in prison for posting ‘fake news’ about Ukraine war under new law.
With the whole of the Russian state media and government officals are producing and posting constant fake news about the war then they are guilty of the very crimes that the state imposes on its own citizens. This legislation is like the mad ramblings of a demented Tzar trying to stifle truth and the road map to peace on his own people. If the truth was allowed to be heard Putin knows it would be deafening and disruptive to his road map to potential global war.
Or who is taking your time, occupying your land and denying you liberty?
Residents of Melitopol, a city in southern Ukraine, gathered to protest the arrival of Russian troops on March 2 as Moscow continues its military invasion for the seventh day. Shots can be heard in the background of an amateur video shot by a protester who says, “They are trying to intimidate us.” The shots appear to be fired into the air by Russian forces in an attempt to disperse the protest, while demonstrators remain defiant.
We all take are freedom for granted as Boris Yeltsin says we don’t appreciate what we have when we have it. I would go further and say like oxygen we need it in order to sustain life and breathe. Some of us only can imagine waking up to the sound of shelling or even worse a shell falling on our home. But that is no longer left to the imagination in Ukraine.
Imagine waking up and finding an occupying tank from a foreign force on your doorstep, stealing from your county the right to vote, for who you believe in Your right to say and do what you believe to be right. Or go to where you want, when you want. These are all rights that as a reader of this article you and others in your country have and like air those rights are all around you and like oxygen your society needs them in order to sustain a healthy political ecosystem.
Hope and Prayers for Salvation for the people of Ukraine.
My mind is racing and my fears and thoughts go out to the people of Ukraine.
It’s incredibly scary being a witness to the horror unfolding in Ukraine live on TV and I have been guilty of watching it nearly around the clock taking short breaks to sleep at night and fortunately working during the day so as to not be watching the news then also.
No matter how scary or fearful I am concerning the people of Ukraine it does not even touch the tip of the iceberg compared to what those unbelievably brave souls are going through themselves in their own country. That is why I promoted the donation page on my website and also donated to International Medical Corps last night one of the organisations providing medical support on the ground in Ukraine.
There are so many what if’s and buts’ at the moment about how this will all unfold and too many scenarios to write about coherently or sensibly. It feels right now that to save Ukraine is to save the world.
Editor’s note: The situation in Ukraine is actively evolving, as are the needs of citizens in the country and neighboring regions. We will be keeping this list up to date with the evolving ways Global Citizens can help in the coming days and weeks.
The world was brought to a standstill as news broke on Feb. 24 that Russia had invaded Ukraine. Global Citizen released a statement condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine and calling for all military action to cease immediately, as well as for humanitarian aid to be supported as the conflict unfolds.
Global Citizen has pulled together a list of things you can do to support the people of Ukraine wherever you are.
Tweet Now:
Solidarity With the People of Ukraine!
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Who Is the Most Impacted?
A woman and child peer out of the window of a bus as they leave Sievierodonetsk, the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022. Image: Vadim Ghirda/AP
According to UN data, in 2021 the crisis in Ukraine affected 1.5 million people — half a million of whom are children and minors. As with any crisis, women, children, and the poor will be those most affected. Ukrainian parents are already taking heartbreaking measures to protect their children including sending them into school wearing stickers identifying their blood types in case of bombings.
In the current crisis, Black people — especially migrants — are reporting experiencing racism at the border while trying to leave the country. Footage has gone viral of people being blocked from boarding trains and there have been worrying reports that police are prioritizing white Ukranians over Black people crossing the border.
While many of us might feel helpless when confronted with geopolitical machinations of this scale, we’ve rounded up some ways you can help the people of Ukraine right now.
DONATE
Organizations on the ground and globally are actively supporting people within Ukraine and refugees seeking safety elsewhere with medical and humanitarian aid.
These organizations include:
1. People in Need is providing humanitarian aid to over 200,000 people on the ground. For those most in need, they provide food packages, emergency shelter, safe access to drinking water, hygiene items, and coal for heating. Donate here.
2. The Ukrainian Red Cross does loads of humanitarian work, from aiding refugees to training doctors. Donate here.
3. The International Medical Corps is on the front lines and prepared to help citizens with emergency health care services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support. The agency is also keeping the pandemic top of mind throughout the crisis by prioritizing COVID-19 awareness and prevention services, to help keep displaced citizens safe from the pandemic. Donate here.
4. CARE International is responding to the crisis by providing Ukrainians in need with food, hygiene kits, psychosocial support services, access to water, and access to cash. Donate here.
5. Nova Ukraine is a nonprofit that delivers aid packages to Ukraine with everything from baby food and hygiene products, to clothes and household supplies. Donate here.
6. UNICEF Ukraine is repairing schools damaged by the bombings and providing an emergency response to children affected by the conflict. Donate here.
7. UNHRC has stepped up its operations and is working with governments in neighboring countries “calling on them to keep borders open to those seeking safety and protection.” You can help support refugees by donating here.
8. Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe has created a resource to help support those trying to leave Ukraine, complete with a “survival list,” Telegram groups to join, places to donate for those wanting to help from overseas, and social accounts to follow for the latest information. You can learn more about their work and donate here.
9. OutRight Action is stepping up to make sure that they are not left behind and that they are protected in this time of crisis. The organization will be helping to support LGBTQ+ groups and organizations on the ground who are setting up shelters and providing safety for citizens. All donations made to OutRight will go directly to the cause. You can donate here.
STAY INFORMED
A woman reacts as she waits for a train trying to leave Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022. Image: Emilio Morenatti/AP
One of the best ways to help the most vulnerable in Ukraine is by staying on top of what is happening on the ground, and learning more about how citizens are being affected by the conflict. We’ve rounded up a few trustworthy sources you can refer to:
10. The Kyiv Independent has been a leading voice on the front lines, covering a timeline of ongoing events since the beginning and highlighting those who have been most affected by the violent attack. The English-language outlet is continuously reporting on how the invasion and conflict are impacting citizens, the economy, as well as Ukrainian foreign politics. Keep up to date on its website here, or on the Twitter page here.
11. The New Voice of Ukraine: Covering news in three different languages — English, Ukrainian, and Russian — the New Voice of Ukraine has not only covered breaking news, but has released informative analyses on the situation that detail how the situation led to this point, and is continuously publishing op-eds by Ukranian scholars and experts that help to give a view of tone of the situation. Read more on its website here.
12. Ukraine World: While Ukraine World is not posting breaking news and timeline updates on its website, it is very active on its social media accounts. Its independent journalists on the front lines have gathered first-hand footage, and it is using its account to share other informative sources that its followers can refer to in order to keep up to date. Follow Ukraine World here.
13. Kyiv Post is the only non-independent media outlet on this list, and it is important that those following state-funded outlets are aware that they are affiliated with the state.The outlet has been at the forefront of delivering breaking news directly from government and national offices, releasing statements from ministry officials, military leads, and other dignitaries. You can read more on its website here, or follow it on Twitter here.
14. CNN Reporter Dale Dan compiled a Twitter list of verified journalists reporting the best information about the invasion, which you can follow here.
15. Olga Tokariuk is a verified independent correspondent working in Kyiv, sending frequent tweets on the latest information while also capturing the humanity of living in Kyiv. Follow her here.
16. Global Leaders are all tweeting their updates and responses to the situation as well. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba are active on Twitter in English, giving regular updates. US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are tweeting about the US and international response to the invasion. And UN Secretary General António Guterres and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are giving updates.
Demonstrators march with a banner that reads: “Ukraine – Peace, Russia – Freedom”, in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 24, 2022. Hundreds of people gathered in the center of Moscow on Thursday, protesting against Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Image: Dmitry Serebryakov/AP
TAKE ACTION
19. Join a Peace Protest
If you’re following and keeping up to date with the ongoing situation on the ground, but you’re still wanting to do more and/or you don’t have the financial means to donate, consider joining demonstrators around the world — from London to Tokyo — who have taken to the streets to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Find your nearest demonstration here.
20. Take Action With Global Citizen
You can join Global Citizen in taking action to show solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, by sending our tweet highlighting that we must #StandWithUkraine and choose peace not war.
A woman and child peer out of the window of a bus as they leave Sievierodonetsk, the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022.
A woman reacts as she waits for a train trying to leave Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022.
Demonstrators march with a banner that reads: “Ukraine – Peace, Russia – Freedom”, in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 24, 2022. Hundreds of people gathered in the center of Moscow on Thursday, protesting against Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
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