Back Story Newsletter
Good morning,
Ukraine Crisis
Diplomacy is key this week as Russian troop numbers and ground attack capabilities swell on the border with Ukraine. Today French President Emmanuel Macron will meet President Putin in Moscow, and then on Tuesday he will go to Kyiv.
An attack by Russia on Ukraine could come at any moment say military experts, although the Russians continue to deny they have an attack plan.
Putin continues to demand NATO close it doors to Ukraine membership while the U.S. is now reinforcing its NATO allies in Eastern Europe because of the growing threat.
Germany is now ready to send reinforcements to Lithuania and the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit Washington to reassure the Americans that Germany can be counted on in a crisis.
One source has told me he thinks Russia could launch a series of air attacks on Ukrainian military front line positions using guided munitions, without moving ground attack troops. But the different scenarios of a Russian attack are numerous depending on what the Kremlin wants to accomplish.
Canada Emergency
What began as a truckers protest over vaccine mandates, has now morphed into a 10 days siege of the nations Capitol crippling Ottawa.
The protests involving large trucks blocking streets and tormenting residents with blaring horns and fireworks has challenged police and politicians who had sought and failed to bring about a peaceful breakup of the blockade.
On the weekend the Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, declared a state of emergency, saying the declaration highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government. It gives the city some additional powers around procurement and how it delivers services, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.
Ottawa police announced that they would begin arresting anyone who attempted to bring material aid, such as fuel, to the protesters, some of whom have set up camp in the city.
On Sunday evening, police stepped up their attempt to choke off the protest’s supplies by removing fuel tankers from a support centre set up by demonstrators in a baseball-stadium parking lot in Ottawa’s east end. Two people in that area were arrested for mischief, adding to the more than 60 criminal cases opened since protests began, most of which involve allegations of mischief, theft, property damage or hate crimes, the department said in a press release Sunday evening.
There were demonstrations in other large Canadian cities over the weekend as the truckers protest seems to have become a magnet for discontent over other issues like fuel prices and inflation.
Ironically most Canadian truckers are sensibly vaccinated, but some fanatical protesters which include some white supremacists, are demanding the Liberal Government of Justin Trudeau be abolished.
On the weekend former U.S. President Trump waded into the unrest declaring Trudeau to be a “far-left lunatic”. Hardly welcomed remarks from a man who fuelled a violent attack on Americans Capitol and attempted to overturn an American election.
The Canadian truckers blockade seems to be running out of time, as authorities want to restore Ottawa to normal, and see the continuing disruption a challenge to their leadership.
Other News…
-Australia has announced the reopening of its borders to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders for the first time in almost two years. "If you're double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
-Ukraine and Russia go to court for Crimea gold, a museum tour that couldn’t come home
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-and-russia-dispute-over-crimea-gold-reaches-next-level/a-60657228
-Changes continue in British P.M. Johnsons Number 10 Downing st. after the PartyGate scandal threatened his rule and on Back Story podcast we talk you through what happened - check out the podcast and please subscribe for free;
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1016881/10004642
Thats a quick look at our Monday.
Have a good week!
Dana
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-mayor-declares-state-of-emergency-over-trucker-convoy-protests/
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/trump-calls-justin-trudeau-far-133106671.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIicQavuxlJEm4t5zQJsSGqu8Kxx2IRLDCbMRiI69VN3MDnrbMg3CODn89_9ep4bj2scUYUTVjdQjgIyx6J5KYFBX53KYwRXueyPykZFtnYJ60ycc4zPSc71fs4wsnR348MH3731rwQXtNuKBZwEcvn-SlBv0xagY46rY-zI5i4g
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220206-france-s-macron-heads-to-moscow-on-high-risk-diplomatic-mission