Russia-Ukraine war into its 23rd day

When Russia invaded Ukraine, it had presumed that it would be a cakewalk to conquer it. However, resistance offered by the people of Ukraine has forced the invader to rethink its strategies. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, had justified his action by saying that modern, Western-leaning Ukraine was a constant threat and Russia could not feel "safe, develop and exist." This is reported by The BBC. Ukraine became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It has gradually tried to align with the West - both the EU and NATO. The war has gone on for 23 days with destruction of properties, loss of lives and displacement of millions of innocents. Those who once had homes became homeless and are now refugees.

Putin described the war as a "special military operation." Russia initially had plans to overrun Ukraine and depose its government. The intention was to ensure that it did not join the Western defensive alliance NATO. The Russian President had said there was no plan to occupy Ukraine but subsequent events revealed a different picture. The BBC says the bombardment continues. Peace talks tend to suggest Russia is no longer seeking to overthrow the government but will try for a neutral Ukraine.

Hungary closes borders with Croatia to check entry of migrants

Hungary has taken a decision to close down its border with Croatia for which it has constructed a razor-wire fence – the intention is to check the free flow of migrants. Elaborating, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has clarified that normal border checkpoints between the two countries will remain open but, inspections would be tightened.
This has been reported in foxnews.com dated 15 October 2015.

Foreign Minister has added that stricter controls would be introduced so as to block illegal border crossings. Croatia is a member of the European Union, but, unlike Hungary it is not part of the Schengen zone of passport-free travel and migrants could still apply for asylum in Hungary at two border transit zones.
So far, over 383,000 migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia have entered Hungary. Nearly all of them were headed for Germany and other destinations further west in the EU. Hungary had clamped down on its border with Serbia with a similar fence on Sept. 15. As a result, migrants have been taking a detour through Croatia to reach Hungary.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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President Putin wants to set up airbase in Belarus but Belarus does not approve

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to establish a Russian military air base in neighboring Belarus. But, while Belarus does not approve of a Russian base, it is helpless because the former Soviet republic continues to remains dependent on Moscow for credit and energy. And, the Russian move would unnerve Poland and the Baltic nations.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 20 September 2015.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has not commented on Putin's initiative but, the two presidents had met in the southern Russian city of Sochi and President Putin has ordered his Defense Ministry to hold talks with their Belarusian counterparts and sign the agreement.
Russia has radar and a navy communications facility in Belarus, but this would be the first airbase. Belarus has its advantages and is a desirable location for Russia because it borders Ukraine and three members of the European Union and NATO: Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.
Moreover setting up such a base is not new. The idea of setting up an airbase in the ex-Soviet republic had been revealed by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in 2013. It follows a 2009 agreement under which Russia and Belarus had agreed to defend their common external frontier and airspace.
The proposed base would be used to station Su-27 fighters.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Brussels office of the European Union under threat of terrorists

The EU is under terrorism threat from Islamic terrorists as has been revealed by interrogation of a man and woman who were detained in Turkey on their way back from Syria theguardian.com. The duo was plotting an assault on the Berlaymont building, which houses the European commission and is the main office in Brussels of the European Union.
This is, incidentally, the second time in four months about possibility of attacks and is based on reports of the couple who were detained in Belgium where investigators were said to have proof of a planned attack.
The couple are supposed to be resident in The Hague in the Netherlands and of Turkish origin and they were said to have been arrested at Brussels airport after returning from Syria via a flight from Turkey. They may be charged with belonging to a terrorist organization, of breaking laws on possession of weapons, and of funding terrorism.
It seems nearly four-hundred Belgians have reportedly travelled to Syria to join the extremists – they usually go via Turkey and its long, porous border into the war zone. That figure is much lower than the estimates for Britain, France or Germany, but, Belgium is believed to have the highest number in Europe of would-be jihadists traveling to Syria.
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EU pushing Russia into a corner on Ukraine issue with threats of more sanctions

Leaders of the European Union have warned that Russia is "practically in a state of war against Europe" as the ongoing crisis in Ukraine continues to deteriorate and appears to be rapidly going out of control and approaching "the point of no return" nzherald.co.nz. As per latest figures of the UN, the death toll in the conflict stands at almost 2600.
At a summit in Brussels, the EU leaders have gathered to discuss toughened economic sanctions on Moscow – the sanctions are aimed at specific targets who are involved in Russia's finances namely, oligarchs who are linked to President Vladimir Putin and the country's vast mineral wealth.
The EU leaders have given Russia one week to reverse the course in Ukraine or, alternately, be prepared to face a new round of sanctions.
European Union President Herman Van Rompuy has revealed that the 28 leaders have agreed to take "further significant steps" if Moscow did not back down. The European Commission, which is the executive arm of EU, has been asked to produce options for new sanctions within a week.
Van Rompuy has remarked that everyone is fully aware that we have to act quickly given the evolution on the ground and the tragic loss of life of the last days.
Dalia Grybauskaite, the President of Lithuania and a staunch critic of Putin, has asked the EU to get serious as Russia's war in the Ukraine menaced peace in Europe for the first time in decades. She has added that Russia is practically in a state of war against Europe.
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