Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
News on CCP, Russia, Ukraine, Myanmar, covi traceability
News (1)
Expert: The Russia-Ukraine crisis may lead to an unprecedented split within the CCP
Editor : Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/02/26/a103358517.html
Image : In the morning of 26 February 2022, Ukrainian soldiers and Russian soldiers fought fiercely in Kiev, and the bombed military vehicles were still burning. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)
As Russia ignites war in Ukraine, the Chinese authorities' attitude toward Russia is gradually blurring. Not only did they not vote for Russia in the Security Council, but when Xi Jinping spoke with Putin, he did not explicitly support Putin's military actions. Some experts have analyzed that the Beijing authorities are walking a tightrope, and the crisis in Russia and Ukraine may lead to an unprecedented split within the CCP.
Russian troops invaded neighbouring Ukraine in the early morning of 24 February 2022. On the 25th, the Russian army surrounded Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, from three directions and fired missiles at Kiev, causing civilian casualties. In just two days, 100,000 Ukrainians have left their homes and even fled abroad.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries successively announced large-scale sanctions against Russia and frozen the assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov.
At the same time, the United Nations Security Council voted on Russia's invasion on the 25th, including condemning Russia's invasion, supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and urging Russia to stop using force and withdraw its troops immediately, completely and unconditionally.
Unexpectedly, among the five permanent members, the CCP, which has veto power, unexpectedly abstained from voting, and rarely did not side with Russia. Earlier, the Beijing authorities clearly announced their support for Putin's position and promised that there is "no restricted area" for Sino-Russian cooperation.
A Security Council ambassador, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that this is exactly what the West is looking for, "to separate China from Russia" and that Beijing's abstention would make Russia more isolated.
Before the Security Council vote, Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping had a phone call with Putin about the situation in Ukraine. China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi told Putin that China "supports Russia to resolve the (conflict) through negotiations with Ukraine" and "respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries".
This is a departure from Xi Jinping's previous commitments to Putin. Three weeks ago, Putin and Xi Jinping held a summit at the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics and issued a joint statement saying "there is no limit to the friendship between the two countries, and there is no restricted area for cooperation". That statement seems to convince outsiders that Beijing supports Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Agence France-Presse analyzed that in the face of the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, the Beijing authorities are walking a tightrope, that is, they do not want to directly oppose Russia, and at the same time they cannot express their support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, so as not to be dragged into Putin’s Russian chariot.
At present, in the face of international sanctions against Russia, Robert Blohm, an American economist and China expert, told Radio Free Asia that if China continues to deal with Russia under the new sanctions environment, it is likely to suffer secondary sanctions from Western countries, which obviously worry some senior Chinese leaders.
Brober predicted that the crisis in Ukraine could lead to an unprecedented split within the Chinese Communist Party.
It is reported that before this, there has been a fierce dispute among the top CCP leaders on how to handle the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and even some people in the party are disturbed by Xi Jinping's promise to Putin that "there is no restricted area for cooperation".
The Wall Street Journal quoted people familiar with the matter as saying on February 16 that after the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, seven members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held a closed-door meeting for more than a week to have heated discussions on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Citing sources close to the CCP government, the report also said Xi's remarks stirred some unease in official circles because it marked a fundamental shift in CCP China's foreign policy.
CCP China is also weighing whether the United States will tighten trade restrictions on Beijing if Beijing helps Russia evade U.S. sanctions in the event of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing people familiar with the matter.
News (2) to (4) / Source : The Irrawaddy
News (2)
Myanmar Junta backs Russia's invasion of Ukraine
As the world condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday, Myanmar military junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun took a different view, telling VOA’s Burmese Service that Russia was acting to maintain its sovereignty, and praising Moscow’s role in balancing global power.
Russian forces on Friday unleashed one of Europe’s largest military offensives since World War II with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The regime’s support for Moscow is hardly surprising, as Russia is a key supplier of military hardware to the junta, and the two countries have strengthened ties since the military coup in Myanmar in February last year.
Two weeks before the coup, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made a two-day visit to Naypyitaw pledging to sell air defense weaponry to Myanmar. It is believed that Myanmar military leaders informed their Russian counterparts of the imminent takeover and sought Russia’s support.
Less than two months after the coup, while the international community including most Western nations were condemning the military regime, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin arrived in Naypyitaw to attend the 76th annual Armed Forces Day on March 27, 2021.
On the same day, the regime, known as the State Administration Council, slaughtered more than 100 people across the country, making it the bloodiest single day since the generals seized power.
Shunned by the West, Myanmar military leaders have forged closer ties with Russia, China, Belarus, Serbia, Ukraine, India and Pakistan.
Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing has exchanged numerous visits with senior Russian military officers, though there has been no face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Myanmar coup leader has reportedly made several requests to meet with Putin.
Since the coup, top-ranking military leaders including General Soe Win, deputy commander of the armed forces; then-Air Force chief General Maung Maung Kyaw (who has since been removed from the post); and General Maung Maung Aye, chief of the general staff, have also visited Russia.
Maung Maung Aye held talks with Russian army officers about acquiring air defense systems. Russia sold Myanmar US$2.3 billion worth of weapons during his trip, according to Russian news agencies.
News (3)
Junta military personnel educated in Russia
Myanmar military personnel also study at a number of military schools and training facilities in Russia, including the Omsk Armor Engineering Institute, the Air Force Engineering Academy in Moscow, the Nizhniy Novgorod Command Academy and the Kazan Military Command Academy.
While the junta has made clear its position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it is not without links to the latter; Ukraine also supplies weapons to the Myanmar military.
News (4)
The Junta military purchased weapons from Ukraine
The military purchased from Ukraine an estimated 1,000 BTR-3U armored personnel carriers (APCs) to be assembled in Myanmar. In 2016 to 2017, Ukrainian arms manufacturers reportedly shipped parts for Mil Mi-2 and Mil Mi-17 helicopters, BTR-3U armored personnel carriers, a ship engine, and ship propulsion and radar systems through a local arms dealer in Myanmar.
News (5)
Ukrainian president calls for EU membership
Reporter : Li Jinfeng / Editor: Li Quan / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/02/26/a103358400.html
Image : On 26 February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a new video on Twitter, saying that he will not lay down his arms and will defend the country. (Screenshot of Zelensky's Twitter video)
Russia's war against Ukraine is still ongoing. On February 26, the Ukrainian president said it was a critical moment to decide whether to allow Ukraine to join the European Union. The president of the European Council said in a post that the people of the EU and Ukraine are one family.
On the 26th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted in succession on his Twitter, "This is a critical moment to end the long-standing whether to allow Ukraine to join the European Union."
He said further effective assistance had been discussed with European Council President Charles Michel, and that Ukrainians were fighting valiantly for a free future.
Michel retweeted Zelensky's post and said, "Ukraine and its people are one family. Further specific assistance is being discussed."
Earlier, in the morning of the 26th in Ukraine, the President of Ukraine released a video in the center of Kiev. On the one hand, Zelensky clarified that the previous media reports that Ukraine's surrender was false news, on the other hand, he firmly stated that he would defend the country to the end.
"There is a lot of false information online that I am calling on the military to lay down their weapons and prepare to leave," Zelensky said. "Here I am. We will not lay down our weapons. We will defend our country."
He also said that the territory, the country, the children will be defended with weapons, "We will defend all of this".
Zelensky also said at the end, "Glory to Ukraine."
In another tweet, Zelensky said he had discussed cooperation with French President Emmanuel Macron in the morning of 26 February. The weapons and equipment provided by France are already on their way to Ukraine. "Weapons and equipment from our partners are on their way to Ukraine. The Anti-War Coalition is working!"
On 25 February, Ukrainian President Zelensky once said in a phone call with leaders of EU countries that this may be the last time he will live to see everyone.
Zelensky also revealed that the Russian army made him the number one target and his family as the second target, but he said he would not leave Kiev. He also rejected the U.S. government's offer to help him leave Kiev, saying "the battle is here, and I want ammunition, not a free ride."
News (6)
Ukrainian women don't fear Russian soldiers "send" them sunflower seeds
Reporter : Li Zhaoxi / Editor: Lin Qing / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/02/26/a103358442.html
Image : Ukrainian civilians take part in combat training at an abandoned factory in the capital Kiev on 30 January 2022. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the heroism, resistance, courage and faith shown by Ukrainians have moved the world. A video of a Ukrainian woman confronting a Russian soldier has gone viral on social media, winning millions of likes.
The woman was not intimidated by the heavily armed Russian soldiers, "Who are you?" the woman asked the soldiers. One soldier said, "We have exercises here. Please go this way." After the soldiers confirmed they were Russian, the woman said, "So, what are you doing here?"
"Right now, our discussions will be meaningless," the soldier replied.
"You are occupiers, you are fascists! What are you doing? What are you doing on our land with these guns? Take these seeds and put them in your pockets so that when you all die here At least some sunflowers will grow," the Ukrainian woman exclaimed, giving them a bunch of sunflower seeds.
The soldiers continued to laugh at them, and the women continued to laugh at them, saying, "...From this moment on, you are cursed. I tell you."
When the soldier asked the woman to "don't escalate the situation" and follow his instructions to go on the other side, the woman said: "How can it be further escalated? You are not invited. Waste."
Faced with an almost impossible battle, Ukrainians continued to resist, with citizens taking up arms and homemade explosives, refusing to submit to the occupiers.
"Ukrainians are showing their true heroism," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video released on February 25. "Like our ancestors, they are charging. Russia continues to expect us Our troops will tire, but we will not."
A senior U.S. defense official said earlier that Russian troops in Ukraine have not achieved the results they expected and faced more resistance than expected.
After two days of war, Ukrainian command and control remains intact and no population centers are occupied. The defense official told reporters on the 25th that Russia has not yet achieved air superiority and Ukraine's air and missile defense capabilities are still functioning.
News (7)
"Sanctioned" turned his face? Former Russian President: No more responsibilities for maintaining diplomatic relations with the West
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said today that Russia’s military action against Ukraine has been sanctioned by Western countries, and Russia no longer really needs to maintain diplomatic relations with the West.
In a post on Russian social media VK, Maivedev said it was time to "lock the doors of the embassy," Reuters reported. He also said that Russia's combat operations in Ukraine will continue until the goals set by President Vladimir Putin are achieved.
News (8)
Russia will freeze the funds of foreigners and foreign companies in Russia
The Russian News Agency (RIA) also quoted Mevedev as saying that in response to the freezing of overseas assets of Russian citizens and companies, Russian authorities will freeze the funds of foreigners and foreign companies in Russia.
The report said that MeVedev also did not rule out confiscation of the assets of the companies registered in the United States, the European Union and other "unfriendly jurisdictions".
News (9)
Russia to decode which areas of cooperation with the West are necessary
The RIA also quoted senior Russian lawmaker Andrei Klimov as saying that Russia will decide in which areas it will continue to cooperate with Western countries and in which areas it is no longer necessary. (Central News Agency)
News (10)
The New York Times revealed that Putin's fire target was not only Ukraine, the United States called for help 6 times, Beijing rejected
Editor : Zhou Zixin / news.tvbs.com.tw/world/1726156
Image : Consolidated route map of the Russian army's invasion of Ukraine. (Photo/Dazhi Image Associated Press)
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced without warning early on the 24th that he would enter Ukraine, but he also made it clear that his real goal is not just to win Ukraine, but the "Empire of Lies" established by the United States.".
Putin threatened in his speech that as long as other countries try to interfere in Russia's actions, they will face "unprecedented consequences in history".
The New York Times analysis report pointed out that Putin has been swallowed up by the anger of "revanchism" and believes that the West is still "conspiring" Moscow.
The New York Times said Putin was targeting not only Ukraine, but also the "Empire of Lies" established by the United States. (Photo/Dazhi Image Associated Press)
According to the "New York Times" report, Putin's speech on the 24th was not only full of resentment against history, but also accused the West of "anti-Russian conspiracy" for many years.
Putin's words that day reminded the world that "Russia is still one of the most powerful nuclear-armed countries" and has "certain advantages in various advanced weapons."
The report pointed out that Putin's speech was actually intended to justify the invasion of Ukraine, but it was closer to the threat of nuclear war than the statements made by leaders of nearly a decade.
The New York Times said that Putin's purpose is actually quite obvious, that is, to make it clear that he will stop any Western military action at any cost. In fact, on the eve of Putin sending troops into Ukraine, several Western leaders rushed to Moscow to try to persuade him to cancel the plan.
It is reported that the United States proposed to restore "arms control" at the time. French President Emmanuel Macron said that if Putin is not satisfied with the current security architecture, France will come up with a new system to replace it but Putin has no interest at all in carefully revising the European security order.
Instead, he wants to return to the style of the Cold War and cut the "what's yours is yours, what's mine is mine" with a big knife.
According to the report, although Macron admitted that Putin had caused serious damage to the peace in Europe for decades, he declared that "the freedom of the Ukrainians is our freedom." However, European and American countries are simply unwilling to do so.
Put your family's life on the line. Putin also knows this well. Whether it is the Georgia War 14 years ago, the annexation of Crimea in 2014, or the military intervention in Syria in 2015, Russia can use force on its strategic targets at any time, and neither the United States nor its European allies will do so.
To respond, the current question is how to draw a line with Putin.
The New York Times reported on 25 February 2022 that the United States has held 6 emergency meetings with the Beijing authorities in the past 3 months, and shared the Russian military’s evidence of a build-up on the Ukrainian border.
The U.S. hoped that the CCP side, which is friendly with Moscow, can intervene and ask Russia not to invade, but the CCP Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the representative to the United States Qin Gang both refused, saying that China does not believe that Russia is planning an invasion.
Beijing even shared U.S. intelligence with Moscow and told Russia that the U.S. was trying to "provocate" but they had no intention of blocking Putin's plans and actions.
The New York Times analysis believes that Putin's aggressive invasion of Ukraine and his undisguised attitude of using nuclear weapons have shattered the security concept and assumption of peace in Europe for generations. The program that brought stability and prosperity to Europe after World War II has now entered a new and unpredictable phase of conflict.
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