By Nat South for the Saker Blog
There are several evolving issues that are being watched regarding plans and developments made by the West to open Ukrainian Black Sea commercial ports. A medley of articles has recently popped up on grain shipments from Russia and the grain shortage caused by the conflict. As always, these articles from the corporate Western MSM are part of a propaganda effort to portray Russia in the worst light possible, articles with little or no evidence, just allegations, skewed data or blatantly omitting awkward yet crucial information. This article outlines the developments and issues related to the Ukrainian Black Sea ports, where commercial shipping is trapped and NATO, as well as Ukrainian activities related to Black Sea shipping.
Bear with me as I weave around several distinct topics centered on the non-functioning Ukrainian ports. The main comments are divided in two main parts with an analysis on maritime elements.
Part 1 – Black Sea ports and crop exports
Statement 1: Russia is using blockade of Ukrainian grain exports as a tool of pressure on the entire world.
Statement 2: (from the Economist)
Statement 3: “Russia is stealing Ukraine’s grain”. Nonsense and unverified allegations.
Statement 1 and Statement 2
The Western corporate media are masters of deceit, by providing just enough information to create a narrative, but deliberating omitting information or background data that alters the narrative negatively. At first sight, this narrative is so skewed, and many will be quick to dismiss it as nonsense. I would be careful to do this as there is a broader narrative effort being shaped by the U.S., EU and NATO. The implication that there is a global food crisis looming solely due to Ukrainian ports not being able to export crops is exasperating.
Ukraine is still exporting grain crops via Romanian ports, which continue to operate normally, in particular, Constanta as reported by DW, (DW April 2022). It is predicted that 1.5million tons (mmt) of Ukrainian grain will be exported out of Romanian ports in May alone and it is anticipated that 3mmt can be exported in the near future. (Reuters May 2022), (Reuters 24 April 2022)
Although the throughput will not be the same level as Odessa for example. Even Lithuania has said that it can help to export Ukrainian grain through its railway network and ports. Additionally, the use of the Danube as a transportation waterway to EU ports is being done via barges from inland ports, along with proposals for the use of Adriatic ports, (HINA 24 May 2022)
Road transport is being used to take crops to Romania port hubs, it is not as quick either, yet it is being done despite bottlenecks at border points. The Ukrainian rail network is already under pressure with military shipments and the rail infrastructure has consequently been degraded in Russian air strikes and as such can only be used in a limited manner, (Zdopravy cz in Czech).
Cargo ships, some will be bulk carriers at anchorage off northern Romania Source: Marine Traffic AIS. (Not all will be grain carriers) but this is indicative of the traffic congestion.
The Economist quoted the WFP head who said: “over the next nine months we will see famine, we will see destabilisation of nations and we will see mass migration.” Moreover, the UN secretary General appealed to Russia to allow “the safe and secure export of grain stored in Ukrainian ports”. There is a lot of unpack with regards to the whole narrative pushed out just of late.
Yet NEXTA uses different figures. Who is right? The main grain terminal in Odessa has 5 million tons grain storage capacity. Where does the figure of 25 million tons (mmt) of grain come from? I suspect that figures are likely to be amplified to create a more worrying picture.
On a trivial point, once more there are aspects that don’t tally, 5 to 9 weeks waiting to get crops exported (NEXTA) compared to 6 days (Sky News 23 May 2022). Back to the bigger picture missing from the MSM narrative . Looking briefly at the figures on grain exports for a wider take on the subject.
2020-2021 2021-2022
Ukrainian grain production: 65mmt forecast 80mmt
Russian grain production: 85 mmt forecast: 85mmt
As Reuters reported this week, Ukraine still managed to export crops: “The ministry data showed that Ukraine has exported 46.51 mmt so far in the 2021/22 July-June season, versus 40.85 mmt a season earlier.” (Reuters 19 May 2022)
Frankly speaking, 22 mmt of grain will make little difference to the global shortage as it stands. Paradoxically Ukraine is paying for weapons provided by the West through grain exports.” Is it any surprise that Ukraine wants to use Odessa to ship its 70% expected export of grain crops and other products, as to be able to continue to pay for weapon deliveries? Ukrainian exports have largely transferred to Romanian, judging by the ship congestion seen on AIS.
Importantly, none of the Western experts or corporate MSM outlets have been able to mention the fact that Russia is the world’s largest exporter of grain, about 4 times the amount of wheat that Ukraine does, about 18% of global exports and this year is expected record crops harvest. According to FAO STAT, Ukraine was the 8th largest wheat producer whereas Russia was in third position in 2020, behind China and India.
These figures change dramatically when looking at data on largest wheat exporters:
Russian wheat harvest could reach 85.0 mmt this year, and the country has the potential to export 39.0 mmt . Although crop exports curbs are expected. In fact, MSM outlets carefully muddy the waters by merging the two countries’ production and export data. An example is The Guardian stating that “The world’s 41 least-developed nations import a third of their wheat from Ukraine and Russia.”
Having ascertained that Ukraine is still exporting its products, let’s move onto the other disturbing aspect, global food crisis and hunger. In short, the global food crisis wasn’t triggered by the current Ukrainian conflict but actually started in mid 2021. Another aspect is that worldwide conditions for wheat are the worst in over 20 years due to drought conditions, (World Grain 23 May 2022) which severely reduced grain production & harvest.
“I share this because we believe it’s important for you all to understand that even if the war were to end tomorrow, our food security problem isn’t going away anytime soon without concerted action,” Sara Menker, chief executive officer of Gro Intelligence.
Yet, the chorus of the U.S., EU and the UN have conveniently jumped on the bandwagon of attributing the blame to Russia, as this article headlines underlines:
Another headline muddying information to serve up propaganda against Russia. You know it is clearly propaganda when articles don’t even attempt to present a Russian viewpoint.
Russia is a huge grain crop and fertilizer exporter, so it is in a position to continue exporting its products. However, since the U.S. and the EU imposed sanctions, Russia is placing terms and conditions on exports and there is a sting in the tail. Similarly, to oil and gas exports, Russia will be forcing unfriendly countries to buy at high prices in rubles or stopping exports altogether, at the same time, encouraging neutral and friendly countries from the south to buy products at a cheaper rate. This has effectively hamstrung both the U.S and the EU and sanctions had already had a significant boomerang effect.
I have briefly tackled the narrative about hunger, although I am reluctant to delve deeper, as it is a bit too much for one article, so I have just briefly outlined the issues. Breaking down the artificial narrative step by step would take a much longer article and I think that there are others who are more knowledgeable in these areas.
Set against this background of Ukrainian breadbasket narrative, more and more countries are halting crops exports, thus exacerbating the food crisis and the EU member states are still encouraging farmers to stop production. It is worth mentioning at this stage that almost of the so called “international community” have stopped Russian operated, flagged or chartered ships from calling into their ports and shipping companies have cut services to Russia.
Statement 2
As already outlined, according to several Western MSM articles, Russia has contributed to a global grain shortage by invading Ukraine. This specific angle is being jointly pushed by the EU, the UK and the U.S. Yet, it should be classed in the category as the Washington administration’s assertion that President Putin is responsible for the rampant inflation in the States.
The sticking point to note is ‘unblocking’ ports, since there is an implicit reference to military means, giving missiles to Ukraine to destroy the Russian Navy, to enable ships to sail in the area. Another angle is outside intervention, naval escorts of shipping to Ukrainian ports. These aspects are discussed in more detail in Part 2.
Statement 3
CNN is the prime source for all disinformation, top class agitators, writing articles based on allegations. “Russian forces stealing grain from ports in Ukraine. “ As mentioned, the satellites images are from Sevastopol. What wasn’t mentioned that it is Crimea, part of Russia since 2014.
This media snapshot might well seem trivial, but again this is part of a deeper underlying agenda. Essentially, the Russians are stealing their own grain, produced and harvested many months ago, before February. The ridiculous assertions are now making the rounds in the media, even pro-Western OSINT are playing the game and even tracking the movements of the grain bulk carriers. At the same time, NEXTA stated that Russia has stolen about 400,000 tons of grain from the occupied regions of Ukraine according to the Verkhovna Rada. Absolutely evidence-free fact thrown in, no verifiable information on the logistical chain from storage to the silo, just a picture of a ship loading grain from a port silo.
Yet, most of the occupied areas is in fact Donbass, DNR and LNR who are now trying to get Mariupol port back in operation, which is described as part of the process of stealing more crops. Maybe they are also covering Kherson region in the figures. 400,000 tons is a drop in the ocean compared to the overall agriculture capacity in Ukraine. “Most of 1.5 million tons of grain stolen from Russia,” Ukraine says, well actually, this figure fits exactly with the report in August 2021 on the total amount of crops harvested in Crimea for that year, (RGRU august 2021).
This is the tried and tested method of shaping narratives based on satellite imagery and then creating a story based on it. Consequently, these kinds of articles should not be easily dismissed as nonsense and a pile of lies but seen as media tripwires. As these articles need to be quickly unpicked and debunked.
The Ukrainians are making the situation worse each day with their absolute malice for Russia. The allegations of grain exports being stolen is a duplicitous way of hampering Russian exports from the Black Sea, which would only serve to worsen a global food crisis.
Ukraine has asked Turkey to ban Russian ships with grain cargoes, (Maritime Executive 17 May 2022). Egypt and Lebanon recently refused a Russian ship to dock after being that the cargo was stolen from Ukraine, (the same ship as in the CNN imagery, that was also reported by that infamous Ukrainian ‘Peacemaker’ site). The ship is now in Syria. (CNN 12 May 2022)
Russia’s standpoint
The above tweet is the Russian perspective in a nutshell. It is Ukraine that has shut down its ports on the 24th of February, by trapping ships in port and shortly afterwards laying mines along the coast. The bulkers trapped are simply not allowed to leave.
Russia has recently stated that Kiev is preventing 75 foreign ships from 17 countries from leaving its ports” (Russian MoD May 2022).
Part 2 – Maritime elements to consider
- Sea mines
This narrative has been crafted for several months now, it first started by denying that Ukraine has laid sea mines to stop potential Russian amphibious assault on its shore, principally in the Odessa region. Practically all the Western media and experts rehashed the Ukrainian position that there were Russian sea mines. As stated in Russian MoD and maritime press releases, Ukrainian mines have drifted all over the Black Sea.
An estimated 200 – 400 anchor mines were laid around Odessa and the northwest Black Sea. Back in February some of them have parted from their chains in storms and subsequently drifted with the current southwards. A couple of mines had temporarily closed the Bosphorous to shipping transit several times,
One that was neutralised by the Romanian Navy just happened to be an old sea mine that have distinct Ukrainian markings, (Mangalia News 3 April 2022).
- Calls for lifting of a blockade
Now we have the grain crop blockade by the Russian Navy narrative, tied in with the alarms of a global famine, opportunely provoked by Russia, (as previously outlined above in Part 1). There are calls to have NATO ships to escort the bulkers in the Black Sea. Slight snag with that is who gets to demine the Ukrainian ports? Ukraine or NATO? Sending in ships will be a very dangerous undertaking just based on the risk of drifting sea mines, (more on this in the maritime analysis section below).
- A naval coalition of the willing
The UK newspaper, The Guardian, mentioned that the UK is developing with its allies a potential plan proposed by Lithuania, to send warships to the Black Sea with the mission of escorting ships, exporting Ukrainian grain, principally from Odessa.
“Britain supports in principle the call for a naval coalition ‘of the willing’ to restart exports through Black Sea.” (The Guardian 23 May 2022)
Lithuanian foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis stated that “There is no way of storing this grain and no other adequate alternative route”. Lying through his teeth since Romania is currently exporting Ukrainian grain crops and even Lithuania has offered to help export crops as well.
“Allied naval forces will clear the area around the port from Russian mines to ensure the transportation.” Potentially, you can see where this all leading up to, with the added possibility of an UN resolution, and then organizing UN/WFP ship convoys, initially escorted by non-NATO navies, as touted by the Lithuanian foreign minister in his plan. However, the UK foreign minister, Liz Truss doesn’t share that vision, as she wants UK naval forces to participate.
Ultimately, non-Black Sea NATO navies will then have a foothold in the Black Sea and effectively turn Odessa into a NATO outpost.
D. Anti-ship missiles for Ukraine
Additionally, all this information campaign is being ceaselessly drip fed, but it is also building up to approval of more shipments of U.S. and NATO deliveries of anti-ship missiles to Ukraine to attack the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Although I suspect such shipments have already been covertly made. The UK Brimstone missiles are already in operational service with the Ukrainian military.
Liz Truss stated that “the UK would want British naval ships to join the escort if the practicalities could be sorted, including demining the harbour and providing Ukraine with longer-range weapons to defend the harbour from Russian attack.” See how a “humanitarian mission” is tightly dovetailed into a case for “sending more weapons”.
Right on cue, it is reported that Denmark will send Harpoons AsHMs to Ukraine, (Defense News 23 May 2022).
Part C – Analysis – maritime elements
The crass and cynical blame game implemented by the West continues. The West instead of getting Kiev to implement the Minsk accords in the first place, are now busy with a lot of evolving threats and crises, out of the frying pan and into the fire.
All in all, there is a snowball effect of crafting emotional fuss on by framing a narrative based on “provoking worldwide famine” and “blockading ships in the Black Sea”? Join the dots: Russia is bad. That’s not it really, there is also the perilous setup being developed, as mentioned in The Economist, of how to unblock Ukrainian ports? No crystal ball is required to see the possibility of NATO getting involved, another round of mission creep justifications based on R2P, as seen in Kosovo and Libya.
As such, the Western corporate MSM handily present a series of micro events on a regular basis. Each event is interlocked and designed to gain momentum, similarly to a rolling snowball, specifically designed to manipulate emotions, (akin to the Orwellian 5-minute rage) and act as justifications for certain economic, military actions on false pretences. Articles on the unblocking of Ukrainian ports neatly fit into this category.
There isn’t any physical blockade of commercial shipping from Ukrainian ports. Pay particular attention to this extract from the International Maritime Organization, (IMO) website:
As this screenshot shows, Ukraine have set preconditions for ships to be able to leave Ukrainian ports, so it is not a blockade by Russia per se. Ukraine is holding foreign ships and crews hostage as part of its efforts to get more Western intervention and arms. The IMO, an UN organization confirms what Russian diplomats have been consistently saying for months now.
The U.S. Secretary of State is lying through his teeth and gets it hopelessly wrong when he said that “There are about 85 ships right now with grain, wheat in them. They can’t get out. There are another 22 million tons of wheat in silos near the ports that can’t get there.” Well, some of the 85 ships are in Mariupol, carry iron and steel products. Other ships in Ukrainian ports are tankers and other carry fertilisers. Blinken just lifted the IMO statement, out of context: “ […] 84, merchant ships remain, with nearly 450 seafarers onboard. This number continues to steadily reduce.”
NB “This number continues to steadily reduce.” Hey?! Anyone asking the question how and when?
It wasn’t Russia that hindered access to ports. Ukraine haphazardly laid mines in February and now wants NATO to clear them, but only once Russian troops have left Ukraine, Donbass and Crimea. Yet at the same, there is a food crisis and Ukraine needs Odessa as a grain export hub. Ukraine authorities making a wide range series of demands, that gives enough space for NATO and U.S. yearnings to be incrementally implemented.
Physical blockade by Ukrainian authorities of ships in ports is also mentioned in the IMO document: “Sea mines have been laid in port approaches and some port exits are blocked by sunken barges and cranes. Many ships no longer have sufficient crew onboard to sail.” It certainly happened in Mariupol and in this montage screenshot, you can see the sunken barges to stop ships leaving as well as mines nearby, (Video link Telegram 15 May 2022, video link 9 April 2022). It wasn’t Russia that physically crippled the port access and trapped crews onboard ships. Sea mines were found on land too, scattered around Mariupol, one was even placed in an Ukrainian minibus belonging to the Ukrainian National Guard (Azov), (Video link April 2022), but they are Russian sea mines according to Western corporate MSM and experts.
Another aspect to consider is the issue of insurance and crewing of commercial ships. As mentioned by the IMO, a number of ships don’t have enough crew to sail safely. Even if ships were allowed in and out of the area, it would be highly difficult to have the necessary insurance to go into the area, given that operators and charterers will not want to expose a ship, crew and cargo to “War Risks” without the necessary insurance or contracts. Crews would be needed that are willing to go into a war zone. This is complicated by the fact that the Ukrainian government has put the ports at MARSEC (maritime security) level 3 and as such they are closed for entry and exit.
NAVAREA III warnings also confirm the war risk of the north-western Black Sea region. Despite this, the Russia MoD has stated that “The Russian Federation is taking a full range of comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of civilian navigation in the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”. The IMO blue safe maritime corridor is part of this initiative.
Turning to another noteworthy aspect. Not a single Western MSM outlet has bothered to mention what the Russian MoD and Navy are doing with regards to the blocked shipping. As with the now famous land corridors, Russia has implemented a maritime version for civilian shipping. This hardly a blockade. This humanitarian corridor is part of the IMO’s “establishment and support the implementation of a blue safe maritime corridor in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov”. Likewise, there is no mention of a safe maritime corridor in Navarea III warnings, just drifting sea mines and a war risk area.
Consequently, a humanitarian corridor, (lane) is available daily during the day, as a designated safe lane south-west of Ukraine’s territorial sea, 80 nautical miles long and 3 nautical miles wide. The Russian Navy broadcasts this operation and location of the safe lane in English and Russian every 15 minutes on VHF international radio channels in English and Russian.
Zooming in on the blockade of Odessa, as a hub for grain exports is a trojan horse for the West to pursue & escalate its proxy war with Russia. Ukraine is going along with these mad hatter plans for long-range missiles and naval escorts. To make these plans palatable to the docile Western public, Russia is persistently being falsely accused of triggering a world food crisis.
Author’s blog: https://natsouth.livejournal.com
Note
This article uses references to corporate Western media outlets and organisations, as it is easier to point omissions, manipulation of information, to show how the West’s infowar gets “hoisted with their own petard”.
References
- https://www.dw.com/en/romanias-constanta-port-becomes-hub-for-ukraines-grain/av-61847413
- https://www.reuters.com/article/ukraine-crisis-grains-idAFL5N2X80V5
- https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/first-ukrainian-corn-cargo-leaves-romanian-black-sea-port-2022-04-29/
- https://twitter.com/Agencija_HINA/status/1528975321919373317
- https://zdopravy.cz/cd-cargo-odvezlo-prvni-vlak-s-obilim-z-ukrajiny-zeleznice-ma-pomoci-zbavit-se-zemi-zasob-114670/
- https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-russias-blockade-will-increase-starvation-and-global-instability-un-organisation-warns-12619892
- https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/ukrainian-grain-exports-this-month-much-lower-than-may-2021-ministry-2022-05-19/
- https://maritime-executive.com/article/ukraine-asks-turkey-to-ban-stolen-grain-cargoes-from-the-bosporus
- https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/12/europe/russia-ship-stolen-ukraine-grain-intl-cmd/index.html
- https://eng.mil.ru/en/special_operation/news/more.htm?id=12422474@egNews
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/23/lithuania-calls-for-joint-effort-on-russia-black-sea-blockade
- https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/MaritimeSecurityandSafetyintheBlackSeaandSeaofAzov.aspx
- https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2022/05/23/ukraine-to-get-harpoon-anti-ship-missiles-from-denmark-amid-russian-black-sea-blockade/
This is so excellent Nat South! Exactly what we needed to know.
Simple. Don’t believe everything you hear or read in western media. Especially western media. Lots of lies from omissions in their articles let alone lots of unproven accusations delivered as ‘facts’ to give a one sided narrative.
Or just go opposite to anything the legacy media tell you. If your starting position is that everything they say is a lie or a blatant attempt to manipulate you then you will be correct the vast majority of the time (like 90+%) LOL
Totally agree
Well, I read in Isvestia this morning….
Or. simply, do not read or listen western media.
Great Article NATSOUTH
An absolutely devastating debunk of the western narrative, claiming that Russia is causing world wide famine.
I knew something was rotten as soon as the grain export of Ukraine was linked to the decommissioned Harpoon missiles of Denmark. /nato-vs-russia-what-happens-next/#comment-1098021
I instantly had a vision of Colin Powell presenting evidence of mass destruction to the UN.
Powell later claimed he was scammed by the Bush Administration, and regretted his Lie to the UN.
Colin Powell died in 2021 of a COVID infection despite being fully vaccinated.
Maybe Lloyd Austin should take notice to the fate of Colin Powell
Thank you. I literally ran through the main points. There are other worrying aspects that I didn’t tackle but I’m sure there will be another article here on the Saker that will add more insight and info.
Nat South
natsouth.livejournal.com
People like Lloyd Austin sold their soul to the evil. They love money and power above anything else.
Yet, no mention by the western MSM of the blocked and sanctioned fertilizer exports from Russia and Belarus, that farmers worldwide need to grow food. So this tells you how fraudulent their nonsense about Russia blocking wheat exports from ukraine is.
Don’t believe ANYTHING you hear or read in the lying western media.
Yes!
Rarely can one find an actually informative article, which dispels some subliminally built narratives. Until I read that article, I had not as consciously realizing the degree to which these deceitful structures were working towards provoking more serious direct naval conflicts.
Even after one attempts to remember that deceits and treacheries are the basis of successful warfare, one still can be somewhat subconsciously sucked in by the skill with which those are done.
But nevertheless, the bottom line remains that all of these events have gone past the points where they have become the manifestations of runaway criminal insanities.
“manifestations of runaway criminal insanities” I like it! Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing and expecting a different result. I think “runaway criminal insanity” involves believing their own lying propaganda and acting as if it’s “true”.
Western Media will make any sane person vomit.
True.Its incredible any normal person can continue to absorb this hysteria of falsehood and lies.
Moon of Alabama did a good analysis of this on the 21st May.
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2022/05/no-the-ukraine-war-has-not-stoked-a-global-food-crisis.html
As a simpleton thinker, and as Peskov stated, if you can get tanks, howittzers, aircraft & munitions into Ukraine, you can get grain out. It’s only in their narrative that they alone live. The citizens of the West have been gaslit to such a long and extended degree that most of us are charred & numb with either anger or indifference. Even the recent 3.0 Sandy Hook-Parkland redux shooting is a “so what”… as we know the agenda is gun control. The laying out of war propaganda to bomb Russia’s Black Sea fleet will not move the dial for Americans to want to run to war with Russia for. By Syria the Americans were/are completely exasperated with the war crap & Biden’s “ratings” are tanked for many reasons. I’ve no idea why they waste so much effort to “manufacture” consent when whether with it or against it, the unelected state department runs around and does want it wants. Many of us wrote & called our Senators & Congress critters regarding the 40 billion… there was absolutely no public consent on either side of the same coin with Americans for varying reasons, nevertheless, they jammed it through with no debate, same as they will expand this war, whether citizens of the EU or US want it. The only place they are getting support for this war, green energy, great reset, build back better garbage is within their own echo chamber. That seems to be enough for them to keep it up.
For rice eating countries, wheat is not a problem. Wheat flour is normally considered as somewhat dangerous food, making people fat and giving people higher cholesterol and higher chances to get diabetes. Most health concerned people move to rye rather than wheat. Maybe, wheat is needed for the Americans, for they are so fat…:)
Ostro, wheat in moderation is a nutritious food, as are other grains like rice and kasha (I eat them all, and am 88).
But wheat in quantity to make Yankees fat is what makes other nations thin. Like wheat being exported from Ukraine in exchange for weapons from EU$A. The 2014 Biden / Nudelman “cookie coup” against the people of Ukraine installed a regime of uber-fat dual-citizen Jewish oligarchs, with a string of Jewish-only presidents heading Ukro nazi thugs, who between them have reduced Ukraine to a third world country with “more guns than butter”.
I am old enough to remember who misled the German people into war, starvation and freezing winter with their fake heroics. If you want his picture, look at photos from Davos:
“Guns or Butter? Guns will make us strong, while butter will only make us fat” — Field Marshall Hermann “Fatty” Goering.
Well, I’ll need another 17 years to come to your age, but I’d wish at least 10. :) And, wish you another healthy decade!
Anyway, it’s good that there would be a lack of wheat for few years for the good of the people of the world. They’d learn to eat other, more safer grains, like all kinds of kasha.
This would be lack of wheat talk is trying to get the gullible world ready for another US/NATO propaganda campaign…oh, look at those bad Russians…stuff.
Rice is a diabetes fat making food. Many westerners that eat rice tables are fat and have diabetes. It just takes only one rice dinner for me to get fat, while i can have many unhealthy pizzas and not get fat.
Last time I checked, rice is a common food in countries like China and Japan. Is obesity a problem in either one?
1. The Joker Regime will bring famine to Ukraine the way it is selling grains to buy arms.
2. Who is going to ensure Natostan does not transport heavy arms to Ukraine in those ships ?
1: There will be no-one left there to consume the harvest…
2: Precisely.
I would expect you can distinguish grain cargo from weapons cargo by the direction a ship is travelling ;-)
1. LDNR forces only control 20% of Ukraine. Not every one has run away. Plus the grain is going to EU not the poor people of South who import most of their grain.
2. Nato will want to secure the route before the shipping commences, which is their primary objective. Grain is being shipped from Romanian ports anyway.
Not exactly naval, but pertinent to the subject:
heard rumours from within ukraine of the Russians collecting all ukranian farming tractors, harvesters and grain and shipping them out(stealing them) on the same trains their heavy military equipment is carried in.
Fits the narrative – https://t.me/c/1650798130/3102 – gotta love that guy – I would have cracked up halfway through…😎
Thanx for the breakdown!
Please see my later comment /grains-of-deceit/#comment-1098107
That’s all very factual, but can anyone shed light on this video doing the rounds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pogAXpyPIPw
Petr, as you say, “all very factual” this article. But is your video equally factual? If you cannot guarantee it, why should we waste our time to watch it? There’s a lot of empty hologram planes flying around in the Empire of Lies.
concerntrolls spreading the nonsense
Anyone who saw the movies 2012/ Wag the Dog/ Jurassic Park and any Superhero movie knows anything can be faked in the empire of lies.
Using video game footage as war footage on MSM lol
anyone can stick a z on a truck/bomb etc.
I see a convoy of trucks capable of carrying wheat(amongst many other products).
They are marked with a Z, so I will assume they are somewhere in pacified(occupied) former ukraine. Since the territory is occupied, all it`s products are as well. no?
Or mabbe the private owner of the grain made arrangements for transporting his store of goods to the nearest hub. The available transport would be – russky trucks considering the fax on the ground no?
Now, since this territory does not seem to be disputed, it follows, that the Russians would be obliged to arrange for food security of it`s inhabitants in the future – since none of the occupied lands will ever return to ukraine. Should whoever receives the payment for the goods mail a check to the ukr regime? Don`t think so.
Thus it seems, it is might be the ongoing process of emptying out the storage facilities in order to make room for the next harvest using available means.
Do not see anything backward – or should I say, we do not know nearly enough based upon that vid, to prove ANY wrongdoing.
So we are in agreement. Russian trucks carrying Ukrainian grain most likely. It’s just a question of where it went.
This is somewhat in contrast to the statement:
“Absolutely evidence-free fact thrown in, no verifiable information on the logistical chain from storage to the silo, just a picture of a ship loading grain from a port silo.”
One could probably geo-locate that video and work out where the trucks were likely going towards and from where.
Actually, the eyes in the skies would surely know where this grain came from and went to, but we will never be privy to that information.
Those grain trucks are likely in DPR or LPR independent republics under UNSC 2202
Pure bullshit.
Look at the poster’s other videos, especially the one of the “Russian” helo exploding over Snake Island. Ukraine doesn’t have any victories to show so they take Russian clips and recaption them.
As to trucks “heading back to Russia” with stolen farm equipment:
– There is no farm equipment visible.
– The location and direction of the convoy is unknown.
– The only “evidence” is the title of the video.
Most likely these trucks are engaged in bringing some of the hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid that has been delivered to Donbas.
My personal propaganda favorites are the rows of destroyed “RF tanks” with cages welded to them for extra protection (a “feature” that only Ukie tanks have) and the completely burned out tank – bright orange with rust – with a freshly painted white Z on it.
Hi petr. Yes i can title a yt video with anything you like if it fits yt ever changing rules. Yt ceo just gloated at davos how over 6000 pro russian vids were pulled in last 2 months and how she tirelessly whips the algorithm to only promote pro ukrainian and pro nato. She ignored the question about Ryt .
Maybe a bit like the stories about russians stealing truckloads of fridges and toasters because russians dont have them back home. Did they also steal the fuel to drive as a bit short on that too
What on earth is this supposed to mean?
“2020-2021 2021-2022
Ukrainian grain production: 65mmt forecast 80mmt
Russian grain production: 85 mmt forecast: 85mmt”
Yet the figure shortly after shows Russian grain exports for 2020 as 37 million tons, and Ukraine’s as 18 million tons! Are we supposed to believe that Russia produces no more grain than Ukraine, but exports twice as much? Or what?
It is all a fudge, did you also spot this anomaly?
The ministry data showed that Ukraine has exported 46.51 mmt so far in the 2021/22 July-June season, versus 40.85 mmt a season earlier.” (Reuters 19 May 2022)
Now compare with the infographic of export numbers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Ukraine exported more compared to production , primarily because it needs the funds for the ongoing conflict and to satisfy IMF, US financial demands.
The author
Right above the coloured graph, there is this:
“…Russia is the world’s largest exporter of grain, about 4 times the amount of wheat that Ukraine does…”
But the graph shows that Russia exports twice as much as Ukraine, not four times. These are not small discrepancies.
The story about Russia supposedly “stealing Ukrainian grain” is no doubt carefully composed to link with this one:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/22/05/01/1750205/russians-plundered-5m-farm-vehicles-from-ukraine—to-find-theyve-been-remotely-disabled
which is obviously ludicrous. Russian soldiers are busy fighting, and doing humanitarian work. Why would they steal American farm equipment, let alone try to get it back to Russia? Yet most readers of Slashdot eagerly swallowed the tale, and rushed to embroider it with their own speculations and insults against Russia. Even the once-satirical “Private Eye” jumped on the bandwagon, disgracing itself once again.
https://www.private-eye.co.uk/pictures/covers/full/1573_big.jpg
“Absolutely evidence-free fact thrown in…”
Please do not use the word “fact” for an untrue assertion, allegation, claim, or libel. A fact is something that is certainly true.
fact
n noun a thing that is indisputably the case. Ø(facts) information used as evidence or as part of a report. Øchiefly Law the truth about events as opposed to interpretation.
PHRASES
before (or after) the fact Law before (or after) the committing of a crime.
a fact of life something that must be accepted, even if unpalatable.
the facts of life information about sexual matters, especially as given to children.
in (point of) fact in reality.
ORIGIN
C15 (originally meaning ‘an act’, later ‘a crime’, surviving in the phrase before (or after) the fact): from Latin factum, neuter past participle of facere ‘do’.
You missed the whole point but carry on nit-picking if it makes it more interesting for you.
‘Lithuanian foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis stated that “There is no way of storing this grain and no other adequate alternative route”. Lying through his teeth…’
The ancient Egyptians stored grain in their hot, humid climate for literally years. It has been suggested that their practice of worshipping cats had something to do with the furry friends’ ability to kill rats before the rats could feast on the grain.
On a entirely different note – These singing village gals are a positive light in everyone’s day.
Beloe Zlato – Ах, вы сени мои, сени // Ah you, inner porch, my inner porch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skbBs00H3AY
According to Tass, the Russians have already cleared 12,000 mines from the waters off Mariupol.
https://tass.com/defense/1455595
Waters, beach, shoreline and port infrastructure.
A lot of mines… Now transpose this to Donbass, Kherson, Kharkov.
Frightening and sobering figures, indicative of a government that hates a chunk of its population.
Nat South
natsouth.livejournal.com
TASS did not say that the Russians have cleared 12,000 sea mines from the waters off Mariupol, but that they they have cleared 12,000 explosive devices and weapons. The shoreline would have been mined with landmines to prevent landings, and Port facilities would have been mined and boobytrapped to prevent their use.
Mariupol back in business; perhaps not too long before Odessa as well.
https://tass.com/defense/1455595
Western nations are truly diabolical in their mindset – If articles like this didn’t come out, there won’t be a counter point to their satanical propaganda
As with the situation with energy supplies (where no actual material shortages yet exist) ,the filthy financial sector parasites are using the crises to drive up prices and “punish” the weak. .If there is an acute food shortage it will be due mainly, to the loathsome anti human , antisocial ideology of global finance capital It can never be forgotten that it is on behalf of the deranged interests of the US and British dominated global financial imperialism that the war on Russia and inevitably China is being waged
“The Ukrainian rail network is already under pressure with military shipments and the rail infrastructure has consequently been degraded in Russian air strikes and as such can only be used in a limited manner,”
Maybe so, but Peskov spoke two days ago about Ukraine being able to export its grains or some agricultural product using the same trains that brought them weapons from Poland. So, the policy was not to bomb those trains bringing weapons so that they can export their products. I read that Blinken arrived in Kiev by railroad, so Peskov must be correct; he is serious in what he says always.
There are three main points to be made here:
1. There is no good reason for Russia to spend a lot of time debating this issue with the Western media. Russia will always be said to be wrong no matter what they say. So stop debating and start setting out what they will allow to be done instead.
2. Russia, if they have any sense at all can not allow Western/NATO forces to get involved in the Black Sea Odessa region. For the reasons stated very well in this excellent article. So they need to just plainly state no foreign military ships will be allowed in that zone. And any trying to enter the zone without Russian permission will be sunk,no questions asked. I know Russia is somehow allergic to just stating things in an easy precise manner. But this time they need to pullup their big boy pants and do it. The danger of allowing NATO into Odessa like that is too great to not act decisively for once.
3. This issue is so easy to fix that I hate to even have to state the obvious,it should be a no-brainer. And yet no one involved in this dispute has done so,or at least that I’ve heard about. In the notorious US blockade of Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis. Ships going into Cuban ports were stopped,searched,and then they went on their way. The Russians should announce a similar plan here. Bulk shipping carriers that want to head into Odessa (or other Ukrainian held ports) will need to be searched for carrying military supplies. If there are none they go on their way to those ports,pick up the grain and go back out. Simple,easy,solution to the problem.The demining issue is another matter which in the harbour areas will have to be done by the Ukrainians themselves. And in the other areas of the Northern Black Sea can be done by Russian demining ships. And in the Southern Black Sea by Turkish deminers. But that is another issue in itself. As for the “how to” of the shipping of grain goes,the plan I laid out covers that.
The key to solving this issue rests solely with Russia. To correctly solve the issue Russia must assert themselves. And let it be known what, and “what not”,they will permit to be done.
Except for one thing Mr UB: the existing “blockade” in place is actually implemented by ukraine…😉
That “blockade” is one that keeps them in. When the Russians decide to go in, that won’t be a problem. And that is only in the port area anyway. Out into the Black Sea itself,it’s all Russian control. As the Snake Island affair shows clearly. Russia has the ability to set up the blockade I laid out without much effort.
Yeah, I know – it`s just that the narrative is, that the present “blockade” is enforced by Russia.
Which is clearly not the case.
very informative for those who want to know the truth.
Now make the important info into 6 slides with animated maps, graphs and videos also catching the main lies
make Youtube videos, Tick tok videos in english and different languages of the south and do counter propoganda .
Make memes about Ukrainie and NATO trying to starve the nations not sanctioning Russia im different languages.
do in 3-4 days and hit the internet.
This is all a setup for England and the U.S. to get a foothold in Odessa. That’s why Liz Truss wants the Royal Navy in on it. It won’t be long after that, and U.S. warships will appear, too. Then they can proceed from there, with whatever scheme that they’ve cooked up. All they’re doing is risking a war that they can’t win. The only reason they’re continuing with any of this, is in order to delay the time when they’ll be exposed as the inveterate liars and schemers that they are.
No captain will accept this task.
You don’t know how gung-ho many naval officers are. Anything to get their next ring.
The people they use as Western mercenaries and snipers (Azov, ISIS, CIA/MI6, m.m.) are people without a moral compass and limit.
People released from prison. People without a civilisation limit and with a soft spot in their character. These kind of people are suicidal and will continue to cross red lines until someone in authority stops them.
Thank You for the revelations.
Infuriating to see even a snippet from the Empire of Bullshit and War.
Sadly, I could post this in a million places and no onethat I know will give it the light of day.
They are too kind to outright call me a Russian Poodle but I know they think it.
I will continue posting and sharing in the hopes that even one person will read it and visit sites like MOA, Strategic Culture Foundation and our dear Saker for the unappetizing truth.
Exiled to Earth
Witness to the absence of souls or sanity
to a withering world
To live in sacred places
while the smell of death permeates the air
Innocent of malice
The Unbeheld
they see the Assassin’s heart
His message of corruption
Rage burns
invoking praises to the Harbinger of Death
The divine engineers
made up a lie we can believe in
Admire their handiwork
murdered hope
The Executioner approaches
mortals fall beneath his blade
The garden has been planted
Seeded with love and hope and unity
and words of inspiration
that carry our breath into the light
We linger
taking refuge behind their sacred wing
Touching memories awake
into our reflection
we are born again
———————-
From the mderator….
Please take topics other than the page subject to the MFC….
Thanx
For what its worth, I really liked your poem.
Captures my feeling…
Its nice to see an informed post about logistics, thanks. Any logistics person knows that no cargo ships can operate near a war zone due insurance. Mines or not. Almost all maritime insurance is underwritten by Lloyds and their Force Majeur clause is absolute. Some carriers obtaining alternate insurance will not make any difference. And the price increase from the insurance as well as creative alternate transit routes will cause a crisis by themselves. Countries such as Tunesia that import almost all their foods are poor. But the thing that is going to create the greatest impact on food prices worldwide is the lack of a 2022 harvest. Here again, people who are informed know that Russia tried to preserve the spring sowing as much as possible. But US and NATO war mongery forced Russia to have to destroy the train transit and fuel necessary for the task. This coincides with crop losses from the covid years. From what Ive seen in the transportation industry, it is all intentionally fomented. My $. 02.
As I wrote:
In short, the global food crisis wasn’t triggered by the current Ukrainian conflict but actually started in mid 2021. Another aspect is that worldwide conditions for wheat are the worst in over 20 years due to drought conditions, (World Grain 23 May 2022) which severely reduced grain production & harvest.
“I share this because we believe it’s important for you all to understand that even if the war were to end tomorrow, our food security problem isn’t going away anytime soon without concerted action,” Sara Menker, chief executive officer of Gro Intelligence.
Thanks. A food crisis began when Covid decimated the agriculture industry. Especially in the USA and other countries that depend on ex pat labor for Ag. The supply cycle ensures that the effects wont hit full force for a year or even two. So, that this is happening now sort of creates a perfect storm re food insecurity. IMO the reasons that this is happening need to be seriously examined. Because every event involved that I know of, from the Teamsters not offloading in Long Beach to the lack of Gov response seems to imply manipulation designed to achieve this result. Or a result.
I note with a glimmer of schadenfreude that today’s guardian is reporting that the german chancellor has conceded that ukraine cannot win and ‘we’ are just waiting for putin to announce russia has achieved it’s operational aims; also guardian et al over here in england appear more and more fatalistic and accepting that the facts on the ground are going against them. Good.
Would be a very logical move to blockade Ukraine’s ports, I’m surprised Russia has not officially announced it. Could someone show what “a humanitarian corridor, (lane) is available daily during the day, as a designated safe lane south-west of Ukraine’s territorial sea, 80 nautical miles long and 3 nautical miles wide” looks like on a map, thanks.
Hungary is preparing for the collapse of Ukraine
Hungary – the only EU country effectively resisting a new wave of anti-Russian sanctions – has declared a state of emergency. What is happening is connected, of course, with Ukraine. Accusations of trying to usurp power have already rained down on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, but in fact, even more cynical reasons became the motive for introducing the state of emergency.
On May 24, the Hungarian parliament adopted the 10th amendment to the Constitution, expanding the grounds for introducing a state of emergency. If earlier it was already introduced in the country due to the migration crisis in the EU, as well as during the rampant coronavirus, now it can also be introduced in the event of armed conflicts, wars or humanitarian disasters occurring in countries neighboring Hungary that create or may create threat to the Hungarian people.
In fact, on the same day, Prime Minister Orban took advantage of the new amendment. According to him, the fighting in Ukraine creates a “permanent threat to Hungary”, which “jeopardizes our physical security, as well as threatens the energy and financial security of our economy, as well as ordinary families.”
“We see that the war in Ukraine and the sanctions of Brussels have led to huge economic shocks and a sharp rise in prices. The world is on the verge of an economic crisis. The government, exercising its right under the constitution, declares a state of emergency from midnight, – said the head of the Hungarian government. “Like the state of emergency introduced during the epidemic, this will allow the government to immediately respond and protect Hungary and Hungarian families with all possible means.”
Laws and powers
The state of emergency introduced since May 25 allows Orban to make decisions bypassing parliament. Yes, it has a constitutional majority in the legislature, but it still needs procedures to pass the bill. Now, within the framework of the state of emergency law, Orban got the opportunity to issue decrees that are valid for 15 days – after which the parliament has the right to either extend them or not to extend them.
Given that the prime minister has two-thirds of the seats in parliament, the option of non-renewal seems unlikely. Moreover, during the state of emergency, it is possible not to hold elections, referendums and other popular votes – that is, in other words, it will be extremely difficult to remove the head of state in a legitimate way.
Of course, accusations of abuse of power, its usurpation, violation of rights and freedoms immediately fell on Orban. “The Hungarian authoritarian leader is using the war in Ukraine as an excuse to seize more power,” writes one Western publication. However, the prime minister does not care.
“We should not be discouraged by indignant cries, accusations of unsuitability or being treated as troublemakers … In fact, it would be suspicious if none of the above would sound. Please note that anyone who plays by the rules of their opponents is bound to lose,” says Orban.
Actually, the introduction of the state of emergency is the very “playing against the rules” of Viktor Orban – more precisely, counter-play. A response to external challenges that threaten both the security of Hungary itself and its personal power. “Obviously, this is a response to the wave of refugees from Ukraine, and to fuel issues, and to pressure from the EU and NATO. And, perhaps, for some things related to Transcarpathia … In the current situation, he hardly has any other way out, ”writes Vadim Trukhachev, associate professor at the Russian State Humanitarian University.
Risks and Opportunities
Thus, the state of emergency will help the prime minister to keep the situation under control during the rolling economic crisis. Rising inflation, budgetary problems, falling living standards – all this will inevitably cause discontent among the population, as well as the activation of domestic political opponents of the prime minister.
Naturally, Brussels will actively invest in this growth of discontent, both through budgetary instruments (they will try to deprive Hungary of subsidies), and through other channels. The European Commission understands that Viktor Orban should be roughly punished. After all, Orban, in fact, emasculated the sixth package of sanctions against Russia.
Hungary said it would not support an embargo against Russian oil and asked its European partners not to even put this item on the agenda of the EU summit next week to avoid scandals. “Discussion of a package of sanctions at the level of leaders in the absence of a consensus would be counterproductive. This would only emphasize our internal contradictions, and there would be no realistic opportunity to resolve them,” Viktor Orban said.
Yes, the European Commission wants to allocate almost 300 billion euros for the process of abandoning Russian energy resources. But, firstly, this money is not taken from the ceiling, but from the pockets of European taxpayers, including the Hungarians. Secondly, more than 90% of the funds of this package go to the development of “green energy” – that is, in other words, to the cut of funds by various funds and start-ups that will create expensive and unreliable energy generation. At the same time, according to Budapest, negligible amounts are allocated for the adaptation of countries dependent on Russia – for example, Hungary – to the new conditions (modernization of oil and gas infrastructure, etc.). Recall that Hungary demanded only 15 to 18 billion euros for agreeing to give up Russian oil.
In essence, Orban has driven Brussels into a trap. If you give Hungary money, then other EU countries will make the same demands. If not, then there will be no embargo. It is possible that the European bureaucrats will try to get out of this fork by overthrowing Orban – and the prime minister will defend himself precisely through the powers under the state of emergency.
Which is probably for a long time – after all, Orban himself said that the current decade for Europe will become “an era of danger, defenselessness and wars.” Not surprisingly, Hungarian human rights activists complain that the state of emergency “will become the new normal, which will threaten the basic freedoms of each of us, and ruling the country through premier’s decrees will undermine the importance of parliament.”
“Now two-thirds of the seats in parliament are not enough for him. The new normal for Viktor Orban will be a permanent state of emergency, allowing him to restrict basic rights and freedoms,” Torsten Benner, director of the Institute for Global Public Policy in Berlin, is indignant.
At the same time, the state of emergency may allow the Hungarian prime minister not only to protect the country and himself from threats, but also not to miss a historic opportunity.
The fact is that the situation in Ukraine is clearly out of whack. The catastrophic economic situation, the collapse on the fronts, the mass surrender of Ukrainian reservists, the expected start of the liberation of Odessa and Nikolaev by Russian troops – all this creates a perfect storm that can not only bring down the Zelensky government, but also lead to the territorial disintegration of Ukraine. Actually, the Poles are already at a low start – Warsaw is preparing a legal framework, as well as troops for the occupation of the territory of Western Ukraine.
There are already estimates that in this situation, Viktor Orban will not only be able, but will be obliged to try to take control of Transcarpathia – a historically Hungarian territory, still inhabited by ethnic Hungarians. To do this, he, in fact, needs special powers that allow him to make decisions quickly. After all, it is possible that the window of opportunity will be very narrow.
——————–
by Gevorg Mirzayan,
Article from Wzglyad, machine translation,
If You take a look at the map below, you`ll see Hungary`s dilemma – everything inside the yellow line used to be Hungary. Hungary has territorial claims against ALL it`s neighbors.
https://mek.oszk.hu/11800/11891/html/m57990598.jpg
Trans-Carpathia is a tiny, tiny slice of that.
In 2020, the armed forces had 22,700 personnel on active duty.
THAT is Hungary`s problem. That, and it`s gypsy population.
Tidbits: Orban froze fuel prices a few weeks back at 480HUF, which is the cheapest in the EU. Also are price controlled some basic food items. Can`t recall which.
Excuse me Gevorg, but I see only hot air in all this. So Orban obtained dictatorial powers yes, but it all depends on how he uses it, yes? No actions in your description.
If Orban use it to force the whole population into receiving experimental Wall Street Big Pharma products, put minorities into concentration camps, m.m. then we have a big problem.
But if he uses it in a real danger situation where the country is being tried pushed into a new nazi WW, then it may be convenient as to maintain neutral? Total power is always dangerous but we need to see how it is used before we start the blame game.
Its just I always get suspicious when Brussel is very upset by something.
Hi Andrei,
Off topic
This is latest video may 25, by Imran Hosein interviewed by UK Column, he speaks about the superiority of russian military..interesting .. Maybe to be posted as separately
https://youtu.be/wlY1D2Hivrk?t=1411
Not included in the report on grain shipments is the role global stock exchanges play in ‘grain futures’. All grain shipments, unless direct shipments to countries outside of US influence, have to go through the ‘stock exchange’. Like oil, shipments are bought and sold, and rerouted on a daily basis. Country A buys a shipment… country B offers more money… first step on the monetary merry-go-round!
It is clear that the aim is to send ships full of weapons to the ukrops under the guise of picking up wheat exports, under outside NATO vessel escort. Russia must categorically refuse to allow this, and also seize Odessa as soon as possible. There are trucks and other ports that can be used for this. This is not about wheat exports. It is about arming ukrops.
Ukraine released mines into the sea. Once that happens shipping companies cannot get insurance, without insurance they will not sail. Therefore the grain cannot flow.
Also on another note Western media starting to report on the break down of Ukraine forces which means it far worse. If you want a good laugh go and read the comments, so many woke idiots in the west who still trust the media and believe in the crap they are told.
Thankfully, many of us do not, CNN for example is a laughing stock. Only the woke take it seriously, the rest of us use the net, hence the attempts of the deep state to censor it.
PS apparently Russia are so depleted their is footage of them bringing t62’s out of mothballs. Of course these vehicles need to be maintained and turning the engine over is part of that but hey anything to keep the delusion going.
Five foreign ships were able to leave the port of Mariupol after demining – Russian Foreign Ministry
It would be a perfect issue for Russia to posit itself even stronger – in adressing the issue offensively declaring access to a certain percentage of grain under her control for ruble – loans to support needy countries outside western orbit, but of course strictly only friendly ones….sadly Russia is extremly slow in the information war, it’s foreign office in a lull and business as usal mode – it’s not strategically decisive but could pay huge dividends where it matters.
Instead of western vessels escorting grain transports in the Black Sea, there should be russian, chinese and iranian vessls escorting grain-transports from the Black Sea heading for Africa…
Rouble credits would probably be a good way to establish it a an internal reserve currency. Currently the Rouble payments are more like fake. Only internally converting, not creating a need for getting Roubles. But loans are are modern money is created. And having to pay back in Rouble means a need to get them. Meaning selling stuff to Russia for Roubles. And that would be the way to go.
It doesn’t matter who is at fault when there is no food. When that happens it is time to kill the politicians and eat the rich. Ex: Sri Lanka.
I said it on Zero Hedge. I will say it here:
3 minutes ago
E
This is very predictable: Russia says ‘hey – we will not interfere with freight coming out of this port. Then a ship from a NATO country hits a Ukrainian mine. Then they blame it on Russia. (“Remember the Maine!!!”?). Same gambit they used to get into war against Germany to protect JP Morgan’s investments in British victory. (Then you want to ask why JP Morgan, an American, was such a British patriot if he was an American-but let’s not get into that) If it’s an American registered freighter, then it’s game on and we can find out if ‘nuclear combat toe to toe with the Rooskies’ is all it’s cracked up to be.
Outstanding work there Nat South!
http://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russia-open-sea-corridors-ukraine-ports-amid-wheat-crisis-warns-ukrainian-mines
Russia To Open Sea Corridors From Ukraine Ports Amid Wheat Crisis,
But Warns Of Ukrainian Mines
Your article confirmed what I had suspected about the truth of the Russians; they are not the true enemy.
Also in regards to A. Dane, During the cold War they claimed “the Russians had weapons of Mass Destruction”
Thanks
First they invite Sweden and Finland into NATO without talking to the Turks, now they are talking about sending warships into the Black Sea. Without talking to the Turks, who closed the Bosporus under Montreux days after the SMO started, the Royal Navy expects to steam for Odessa.
Ankara appears to either think it’s all stupid bluster or is quietly on board (though that seems out of character for Erdogan). I haven’t heard the Turkish opinion on the matter. It’s probably worth noting that high price western reporting is leaving out the required, Turkish permission to “unblock” Odessa. I can’t see Turkey giving it, and if permission is forthcoming I would assume Moscow would be forewarned. Which moves the location of a confrontation into the eastern med. Russia can’t let enemy warships into Odessa.
Spot on Lex.
Erdogan has previously said that it was impossible for Turkey to break with Russia since both countries have common strategic interests; and a very long history albeit checkered common history, I might add.
Many seem to think that Turkey’s closure of the Bosphorus was aimed at Russia but it impacted Nato more, freeing the RF Black Sea Fleet to support the SMO without having to look over its shoulder all the time.
I believe Erdogan is steering a Russia policy independently of Nato. Of course he can’t be totally independent of Nato, not yet anyway, and he may well act in concert with them re Russia in the future but as long as it doesn’t affect Russia strategically, I don’t think Russia will mind too much.
Sweden and Finland joining Nato will obviously affect Russia — and is it just a coincidence that Turkey is planning to re-enter northern Syria now? I don’t think so; there must have been some horse trading between RF and Turkey. I don’t mean Russia is playing Syria, not at all — I reckon Assad is on board — but it’s a matter of priorities. Russia needs to prevail in Europe if Syria is to expect Russian assistance in the long term.
The Americans under the Biden Regime are imposing their very own ‘Holodomor’ policy on Ukraine, which will starve ordinary Ukrainians.
This is the true meaning of America’s “Stand with Ukraine” propagandizing…..
Biden’s ‘Holodomor’ Policies to Hurt Ukrainians, Americans & Backfire on Whole World
https://libya360.wordpress.com/2022/05/14/bidens-holodomor-policies-to-hurt-ukrainians-americans-backfire-on-whole-world/
Thank you for this outstanding article and thoroughly debunking the West’s narrative that ‘Putin is starving the world,’ Natsouth.
You’ve deconstructed the MSM propaganda effort masterfully.
Speaking of which, if I may add, here are several points to look out for when assessing a news article for propaganda, and how to spot war propaganda:
•The enemy camp is solely responsible for the war
•We are innocent and peace-loving
•The enemy has demonic features
•We fight for a good cause, the enemy for selfish ends…
There are several more points (16) from an article posted by a site you and many others may already be familiar with, Swiss Policy Research, in 2020. I apologise if that’s the case but I find the articles on propaganda informative and perhaps others may want to read them.
https://swprs.org/the-propaganda-key/
Just a few extra thoughts on what’s going on.
1) Abortion rights
I feel that the collective west is trying to prepare for a nuclear war by removing womens rights to abort children they do not wish to rear. In an apocalyptic situation you can’t blame them, but the govt thinks they will survive and forming a new population through an excessive police state requires reproduction at all costs.
2) Baby Formula shortage
Given what I said above, I think the baby formula shortage is a deliberate preparation mechanism by govt entities to ramp up the production and stockpiling of formula for the impending nuclear war. The west will use them first or false flag accuse Russia.
3) Food / Agriculture related fires/disruptions
Across the US there have been fires and disruptions at food processing plants, minor disasters but if looked at as a whole seem like a conspiracy. It could be that the govt is applying pressure to stock up or ramp up the production of food which would diminish and be required to survive a nuclear war.
4) Gun violence and mass shootings
Lastly, I think that the govt or actually deep state, wishes to use polarizing issues such as gun violence which occurs mostly during election years to polarize the population against investing in their own protection. Now there is growing fear against firearms, rightfully so, however the larger picture is the govt benefits from this. In a nuclear war, anarchy is possible if everyone was less afraid of having or learning the usage of firearms. To prevent people from taking security in their own hands they allow these horrible disgusting acts to occur, because let’s face it. The intelligence agencies can prevent these things on a larger scale but not at a smaller scale? Big brother? Give me a break.
Everyone knows there’s a nuclear war coming. A 1985 Stanford paper said that if taken over a decade it is likely and if taken over a century the odds are it’s certain to occur. Who benefits from a nuclear war? Well it will be limited to the northern hemisphere, so who really benefits? Those that control the next influential sphere, the region that unites north and south, the Middle East. The energy source of the world. Who is powerful enough to control it? Israel.
All of this is a push to shift the new world order to Jerusalem, because no one system can function more than a 100 years. In fact in the past new orders did not survive more than 30-40 years, and large scale fighting would occur frequently.
We’re long overdue and this time it will be nuclear. Take it however you want, but it doesn’t hurt to have a go back and necessary supplies / maps just in case.
From the most advanced country in the world – Romania (we have a droid for president; elected twice!)
Ukrainian goods are flowing through. Constanța was almost blocked by imp/exp containers a month ago. At Galați Ukrainian trains can get directly to the harbour (no need to change wheels) but they first have to go through Moldova. The Romanian authorities are working on regulations to allow free transit for Ukrainian goods.
Of course, the question is if the the money for those goods is helping the Ukrainians or some Ukrainians.
A bit Off Topic.
That Snake Island is too damn close for comfort. It looks like Russia is moving some equipment there.
And a few questions for the US people: does your Constitution allows zombies to be presidents? Did the CDC allowed your president to walk unembalmed in public?
News article from Chinese media on the topic
https://twitter.com/globaltimesnews/status/1529778008902766592?t=LwS0IsaI4cIxpcqti3maDg&s=19
1. Ignore the duplicitous western food crisis snivelling. Did that already.
2. Listen out for destroyed Harpoon and Brimstone missiles along with their launch platforms and crews. Was doing that too.
Thanks to this article I can connect #1 and #2. Quite the little weavers of deceptions these empire of lies “strategists”. But then they are being coached by Satan’s best, the Zionists.
Some figures are way out.
Australia will export 26 Mt this year – The report said Australia is set to be the world’s third-largest wheat exporter in 2021-22, eclipsing the US and Canada for volume shipped in the current marketing year…https://www.graincentral.com/markets/australian-forecast-to-export-record-26mt-wheat-usda/
USA with drought is down and so is Canada and that is where the big problem sits, the Americas
More about grain shipments to Poland and Romania
https://twitter.com/EmbassyofRussia/status/1529848008820633600
Grain is taken out of Ukraine via Poland and Romaina in huge amounts. EU does it even though intl experts believe, Ukraine’s grain harvest will be much smaller this year. They expect problems in Ukraine, and yet they are taking away its last grain stocks.
natsouth.livejournal.com