THE SQUIZ

There is a lot of noise, but there are 2 major themes coming out of the unfolding crisis in Ukraine after Russia sent troops over the border earlier this week. The first is that sanctions from Western nations against Russia flew thick and fast yesterday. And the 2nd is about whether Russia will launch a fully-fledged war on Ukraine beyond the 2 eastern regions it occupied on Tuesday.

GET ON WITH IT…

Fair enough. Yesterday, the US, European Union, the UK, Australia and many others announced a range of sanctions designed to hit Russia where it hurts – the hip pocket. Sanctions are punishments nations impose on other nations when they’re mucking up – like invading their neighbour. US President Joe Biden said the aim of the sanctions is to “cut off Russia’s government from Western financing.” The internationally coordinated response will do that by banning business with Russian banks and halting the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a major Russian-German project. And sanctions have also been placed on powerful Russians who will be unable to travel or move their money outside of the country. But the West has stopped short of applying the most severe penalties that have been threatened over the last few weeks. That’s because there’s a belief that Russia is pulling a Deborah Conway…

UMM WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

That it’s only the beginning… Those were Biden’s words – he says it’s his belief that Russia’s move into Donetsk and Luhansk – the regions of Ukraine that have been under the control of pro-Russian forces for the last 7 years – is “the beginning” of a bigger invasion of Ukraine, which could displace as many as 5 million people. That’s why the punishments announced yesterday are “the first tranche of sanctions,” Biden said, and he’s warned that more could come if Russia launches a larger military and territorial claim on Ukraine. European leaders will hold an emergency summit in Brussels later today to discuss how to respond to the crisis, while Ukraine is moving to impose a state of emergency, which will allow authorities to impose a curfew and stop big public gatherings. As for Russian President Vladimir Putin, he says “it’s impossible to forecast a specific pattern of action – it will depend on a concrete situation as it takes shape on the ground.”

Ukraine and Russia – now’s the time to get the backstory to this big news story. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back with #SquizShortcuts on the Ukraine-Russia relationship, and what the West and NATO has to do with it. You’re welcome…