Russia: Was China Aware Of Russia's Plans To Invade Ukraine?

The New York Times echoes an intelligence report according to which Chinese officials asked their Russian counterparts not to invade Ukraine before the end of the Olympics.

Less than 24 hours after the end of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, Vladimir Putin announced that he recognized the independence of the self-proclaimed breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Four days later, Russia had already unleashed a triple invasion of Ukraine from the north, east and south.

There were many rumors that senior Chinese officials, before the start of the Games, had asked their Russian colleagues not to provoke any military conflict in Ukraine during the Olympics. From Moscow, officially, they denied those rumors. From Beijing, they kept silent.

Winter Olympics: Kamila Valiewa On The Starting List Despite The Sports Court Proceedings

According to the start list for the Olympic short program in figure skating, the Russian Kamila Valiewa will compete. The verdict of the Sports Court on the doping test should fall beforehand.

Despite the ongoing sports court proceedings because of a positive doping test, the Russian figure skater Kamila Valiyeva is on the starting list for the Olympic short program.

The 15-year-old is scheduled to start on February 15 in 26th place out of 30, according to the published list. The judgment of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport Cas is scheduled for tomorrow Monday.

Russia Crisis: Europe Is Preparing For A Possible War

Cleared embassies, Russian maneuvers, US fighter jets in Romania: the situation in Ukraine is getting worse and worse. At least we still talk to each other.

The US has warned that a Russian attack on Ukraine could take place during the Olympics. The situation surrounding the threatening Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine is now very tense. Well over 100,000 Russian soldiers are said to be there now.

In Belarus, on the border with Ukraine, Moscow is holding a joint maneuver with the hosts. Russian naval maneuvers in the Black Sea near the Ukrainian coast are also part of the military threat surrounding Ukraine. An overview of the events of the past 48 hours:

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: USA Consider Russian Invasion Possible During Olympics

The US government is urging US citizens to leave Ukraine within 48 hours. US President Joe Biden wants to call Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

The US thinks it is possible that Russia will invade Ukraine before the end of the Olympic Games. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a White House press conference. There is a "very clear possibility that Russia will decide to take military action."

Accordingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet decided whether he wants to order an attack. However, Russia has prepared all its armed forces for a large military operation. The threat is so serious that now is the time for all US citizens in Ukraine to leave the country within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Ukraine-Russia Conflict: What Does China Want From The Ukraine Crisis?

The war of words between the US and Russia over Ukraine is intensifying and China, a major player in the international arena, has also spoken out against it.

In recent days, Beijing has urged both sides to remain calm and end the "Cold War mentality". At the same time, it has made it clear that it supports Moscow's concerns.

It looks like China will side with its longtime ally and former communist comrade Russia on this issue. However, it should be noted that China has a long history of this behavior.

China And Olympics: Always A Political Issue

Countries not sending representatives to the Olympics have a long history. China has played a central role in the Olympic boycott in the past.

The US-Americans would politicize the Winter Olympics, China's leadership complained - most recently in a telephone call between the two foreign ministers Wang Yi and Antony Blinken at the end of January. The Biden government announced in early December that it would not have any political or diplomatic representatives from the United States will be traveling to the games.

The US government no doubt has geopolitical motives for the boycott, but it cites good reasons: serious human rights abuses are being committed against minorities in China. Hundreds of thousands of people from the Uyghur people and other Muslim ethnic groups in the north-west of the country were or are being interned in re-education camps. Human rights experts bring this close to at least cultural genocide. In addition, Beijing today treats the citizens of the until recently largely liberal city-state of Hong Kong with open repression.  

Ukraine Crisis: Do The Doves Of Peace Fly During The Olympic Games?

There is currently a global political jumble between East and West in the Ukraine conflict. But the Winter Games could give time for diplomatic solutions.

The situation in the Ukraine conflict is confused and confusing. The reports of a single day make it clear how much. The Friday of last week reflects the whole confusion of the global political muddle.

Almost simultaneously, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called on Ukraine to stop saber -rattling, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to Washington to tone down the American saber-rattling, tone down was his vocabulary. Same wording, but very different attitudes. 

Omicron In China: Communists In The Success Trap

China's strict corona measures worked, the economy grew during the pandemic. Now Omicron has reached the country and many fear the consequences.

Chinese state television 's announcement this week sounded whimsical: "Minimize the purchase of overseas goods from countries with a high incidence," the CCTV website reads.  

And if so, it went on to say, packages and envelopes should be opened outdoors if possible and the recipients should definitely wear masks and gloves. In short: There is a warning about postal items as a potential way of spreading the coronavirus.

Beijing Winter Olympics: Boris Johnson Is Considering Boycotting The Olympics In China

After the USA, the British government is also considering not sending diplomats to the games. They wants to demonstrate against human rights violations.

After the USA, Great Britain is now considering diplomatically boycotting the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. This was reported by the Times on Saturday. According to the report, the British government is advising whether it will only send its ambassador to China to the games in February, but not British ministers. US President Joe Biden confirmed on Thursday that his government is also considering a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games in Beijing.