Ukraine

[ahinton]

Not surprising in light of the fact that Poland and Hungary are both NATO members, as well as in the EU, so their leaders could be heavily leaned on from various directions simultaneously if there were any hesitation. Plus they both have borders with Ukraine.

Fair comment, although the heavily right-wing nationalist rhetoric that has emerged from Poland and even more especially Hungary in recent times is behind the surprise here at their support of Ukraine's cause; indeed, from what I've heard, the Polish close to the border have in particular been bending over backwards to assist refugees crossing it from western Ukraine. I just don;t see this ending well for Russia and its future at all.

Curiously, in a recent interview, Tony Blair's ex-adviser (curiously named Jonathan Powell) spoke of the very real risk that political leaders, irrespective of the nature of the régimes that they lead, become an increasing danger when they've remained in post for as long as Putin has (i.e. 20+ years); he might well have a point - just imagine how UK would be now had a cetain lady's term as PM been at least twice as long as it was...

[Historian]

No particular knowledge, but that's what I thought. I wonder what his miltary advisers have said to him? I can't see that he would know much about what urban combat is like. Containing what's happening at home may be just as much of a problem.

I think it may be more of a case about believing his own propaganda re. the weakness of Ukraine. Mr. Putin probably has a pretty good idea of urban combat as Russia has taken part in several conflicts (either directly or indirectly) in recent years which included that sort of fighting. At the moment the Russian forces have been relatively restrained (for them) and I hope this continues to be the case. In terms of containing the reaction within Russia, I doubt that the very brave demonstrations will bother him particularly. Russia has a large and effective police system. More worrying for him may be the (faint?) possibility that his wealthy and powerful supporters may start to see him as a liability.

[Historian]

Might be worth reminding ourselves about Polish-Russian relations in the last hundred or so years (at least). That might reduce the element of surprise about the Polish support for Ukraine.

[Frances_iom]

We hear that talks are afoot between the Ukrainian government and Putin representatives,...

The Ukranians will need to keep their hands off any door handles and not leave their underwear unguarded. Putin has gambled too much to back down now - hence the threat to use nuclear weapons if Western support grows too much.

[ahinton]

Might be worth reminding oneself about Polish-Russian relations in the last hundred or so years (at least). That might reduce the element of surprise about the Polish support for Ukraine.

Yes; it's just that Poland's unwelcome anti-immigration noises of recent times (almost on a par with those of Hungary) seem to sit oddly besides its overt and very welcome support for the victims of this invasive action.

[Historian]

Yes; it's just that Poland's unwelcome anti-immigration noises of recent times (almost on a par with those of Hungary) seem to sit oddly besides its overt and very welcome support for the victims of this invasive action.

Agreed. However I think it's a question of priorities: I imagine that any Polish government (however illiberal) would be happy to make an exception for any victims of Putin.

[ahinton]

Agreed. However I think it's a question of priorities: I imagine that any Polish government (however illiberal) would be happy to make an exception for any victims of Putin.

Well, it seems that they're doing just that, so all well and good. Apparently, according to a couple of reports that I've read today, some 7m Ukrainians have already left the country (the vast majority, though not all, to Poland); that's an extraordinary figure, representing as it does almost 1 in 6 of its population.

[teamsaint]

Well, it seems that they're doing just that, so all well and good. Apparently, according to a couple of reports that I've read today, some 7m Ukrainians have already left the country (the vast majority, though not all, to Poland); that's an extraordinary figure, representing as it does almost 1 in 6 of its population.

I would very much doubt this figure, AH . Logistically impossible I would think. Other sources quote much, much smaller numbers.

[Frances_iom]

Yes; it's just that Poland's unwelcome anti-immigration noises of recent times (almost on a par with those of Hungary) seem to sit oddly besides its overt and very welcome support for the victims of this invasive action.

they were the wrong type of immigrant - Ukrainians are generally Christian and share many of the same cultural mores as fellow Slavs.

[french frank]

I would very much doubt this figure, AH . Logistically impossible I would think.

Particularly given that all the men of 'fighting age' are being turned back.

[richardfinegold]

These three artists are well known Putin apologists, and neither Strauss nor Furtwangler (or Karajan), for all their faults, could ever be described as Hitler apologists so, in my view, we have a different situation. Sadly, Gergiev, Matsuev and Nebretko have hitched their cart to the wrong horse and I would say that that their careers in the West are finished.

Other Russian artists, such as the two Petrenko's and Vladimir Jurowski have, as far as I know, kept their distance from Putin and don't, again as far as I know, owe anything to Putin. Jurowski has Ukrainian relatives so he's caught in the middle. Semyon Bychkov condemned the invasion without delay.

Bychkov applied for an exit visa from the U.S.S.R. in the early seventies and his family was subsequently punished with State Sanctioned Anti Semitism because of his refusenik status (the Organs of State Security must view him as a Nazi like his fellow Jewish Einsatzgruppen Zhelinsky in Ukraine). As for Anna, I’ll take her statement of regret, however imperfectly worded it may be. And as much as I detest Putin and this horrible invasion, forcing Artists to make a Political Declaration as a precondition for their being allowed to perform doesn’t sit well with me.

[Historian]

I would very much doubt this figure, AH . Logistically impossible I would think. Other sources quote much, much smaller numbers.

I believe that the 7 million figure refers to Ukrainians 'internally displaced' i.e. having to leave their homes and become, effectively, refugees. Of these something around 400,000 have left Ukraine. They are still huge figures and will require an immense effort to help them.

[richardfinegold]

btw, listening to Bychkov and the Czech PO in Tchaikovsky Pathetique right now…beautifully understated

[teamsaint]

I believe that the 7 million figure refers to Ukrainians 'internally displaced' i.e. having to leave their homes and become, effectively, refugees. Of these something around 400,000 have left Ukraine. They are still huge figures and will require an immense effort to help them.

Thanks, that seems much more likely .

[RichardB]

forcing Artists to make a Political Declaration as a precondition for their being allowed to perform doesn’t sit well with me.

Is there any suggestion that Anna Netrebko has been "forced to make a political declaration as a precondition for being allowed to perform"?