Tag: Europe

Europe

Moldova drops ‘Moldovan’ language; Russia irked

MoldovaThe parliament of Moldova voted to remove references to the "Moldovan" language from the country's constitution and enshrine Romanian as the official language for all legislation. Lawmakers asserted that "Moldovan" is actually indistinguishable from Romanian, and that the notion that it is a separate language is a product of Soviet propaganda. The vote was applauded by Romania, whose foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu stated that the Moldovan language is an "artificial construct." But pro-Russian Moldovan lawmakers assailed the move—as did the Russian Foreign Ministry, which issued a statement snarkily suggesting that Aurescu is an "artificial construct." Moscow claimed that Moldovan is a distinct and older form of Romanian, which is now "officially preserved only in Transnistria," the breakaway region of Moldova hosting Russian troops. (Image: Nicolas Raymond via Flcikr)

Europe

Russia bans ‘false information’ about mercenaries

KremlinRussian President Vladimir Putin signed a law forbidding the spread of "false information" about "volunteer" forces fighting in service of Russia. The law is clearly meant to prevent public criticism of paramilitary groups and private military organizations, such as the Wagner Group, currently operating in Ukraine. Offenders may be sentenced to up to five years. The previous version of the criminal code already included prohibitions on the spread of "false information" regarding the Russian armed forces. The amendment's language appears to be an acknowledgement by Moscow that the "private" forces fighting in Ukraine are acting under the direct orders of the Russian military. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Europe

Russia agrees to (shorter) grain deal extension

UkraineRussia agreed to extend the Black Sea grain deal with Ukraine, but for only 60 days rather than the 120 days of the original agreement. The UN-brokered deal enables safe shipment of grain from Ukraine's blockaded ports to boost global supply and stabilize prices. The agreement rolled over in November, but Russia now argues that provisions for the easing of restrictions on its own agricultural and fertilizer exports have not been met. So far, 24 million tonnes of grain have been exported under the initiative. But the International Rescue Committee noted that only 10% has gone to countries most in need. It has called on the UN to broker a 12-month deal, pointing out that food price inflation is at 40% in countries most at risk of "humanitarian catastrophe"—double the rate of the rest of the world. (Map: PCL)

Europe

ICC issues arrest warrant for Putin

ICCThe International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber also issued a warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights. Both stand accused of the war crimes of unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied territories of Ukraine into Russia. While Ukraine is not a party to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, the country accepted ICC jurisdiction for purposes of "identifying, prosecuting, and judging the perpetrators and accomplices of acts committed in the Territory of Ukraine since 20 February 2014." (Photo: OSeveno/WikiMedia)

Europe

Russia imposes sanctions on Baltic citizens

RigaThe Russian Foreign Ministry has issued sanctions against 144 citizens of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Moscow accused the individuals of hostile acts against the Russian state. The alleged acts include lobbying for sanctions, interference with Russia's internal affairs, and inciting "Russophobic" sentiments. The three Baltic states are particularly outspoken in their support of Ukraine, and calls for holding Russia accountable for war crimes and possible "genocide." (Photo of Riga, Latvia, via Wikimedia Commons)

Europe

Ukraine denies plot to kill Transnistria leader

TransnistriaThe Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) denied plotting to assassinate the president of the Russian-backed breakaway de facto state of Transnistria in Moldova. The denial comes after the Transnistrian Ministry of State Security said it thwarted an SBU-orchestrated terrorist attack targeting multiple Transnistrian government officials. The SBU characterized the accusation as an instrument of Russian provocation amid Moscow's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Transnistria controls around 4,000 square kilometers of internationally-recognized Moldovan territory, but is not recognized by any UN member state. However, Russia has maintained a military presence in the breakaway state, which borders Ukraine, since the 1990 Transnistria War. (Photo via Ukraine Defense Ministry)

Europe

Nord Stream pipeline sabotage: rush to judgment

Nord StreamUkraine is denying involvement in September's attack on the Nord Stream pipelines following a New York Times report citing anonymous US officials to the effect that an unnamed "pro-Ukrainian group" was to blame. Russia's online partisans are meanwhile hyping a piece by Seymour Hersh, similarly citing anonymous officials to the effect that the attack was a US covert operation. Rarely has there been a more blatant case of the cyber-commentariat deciding what to believe on the basis of political convenience. (Map: Wikipedia)

Europe

US to designate Wagner Group ‘transnational criminal organization’

KremlinThe US Treasury Department announced that it will designate the Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group as a "transnational criminal organization," imposing further sanctions on the group's financial activities. The Treasury Department press release on the move stated: "Wagner personnel have engaged in an ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity, including mass executions, rape, child abductions, and physical abuse in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali." The Wagner Group is believed to have some 50,000 mercenaries fighting in Ukraine. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Europe

Germany calls for Ukraine war crimes tribunal

DniproIn an address at the Hague Academy of International Law, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for an international tribunal to prosecute Russian officials for war crimes and the crime of aggression in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Making her case for the tribunal, Baerbock said loopholes in international criminal law allow Russia to escape the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Baerbock was referring to the 2010 "Kampala Amendments" to the Rome Statute, which allow the ICC to prosecute the crime of aggression—but only with a referral from the UN Security Council. Since Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council, it can veto any such referral. (Photo: EuroMaidan Press via Twitter)

Europe

UK: new measures to halt ‘disruptive’ protests

@XRebellionUKThe UK government introduced amendments to the pending Public Order Bill to change the definition of "serious disruption," broadening the range of situations in which police in England and Wales may act to stop protests. Police will not need to wait for disruption to take place to shut down protests under the proposed measures. The amendments would also create a new criminal offense for interfering with "key national infrastructure." The amendments are clearly aimed at activist groups such as Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain. Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act 2022, the government already created a statutory offense of "public nuisance," created powers for the police to place conditions on "unjustifiably" loud protests, and increased the sentences for obstructing highways. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sat down with the Home Secretary and police chiefs in December to give a clear message that the Government expects protesters who disrupt the lives of others to be removed and arrested. (Photo: @XRebellionUK)

Europe

German police clash with anti-mine protestors

LuetzerathGerman police clashed with protestors as thousands rallied for the protection of the village of Lützerath, which is set to be destroyed to make way for a coal mine. Earlier in the week, a German regional court upheld a ruling to clear the village, which is in the brown-coal district of the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Utility company RWE says they reached a deal with the regional government last year that allows the village to be destroyed in return for ending coal use by 2030, rather than 2038. Lützerath is the last of 14 villages sacrificed for the Garzweiler mine, with thousands of residents resettled, and churches and schools bulldozed to make way for the energy expansion plans. Thousands of protestors were moved from empty buildings in the village last week. (Image: @XRebellionUK)