Moscow-Fearing Baltics Host Zelenskyy

Funeral service for Ukrainian serviceman, famous poet Masksym Lrivtsov, 11Jan24 AP Photo

"A pause on the Ukrainian battlefield will not mean a pause in the war."

"A pause would play into [Russia's] hands. It might crush us afterward."

"Tyranny must be defeated. Tyranny must be a loser. Always. Always. Always."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelensky in Tallinn, Estonia, AP Photo

 

The Kremlin's forces, should there be any agreement to a ceasefire, would use such a pause to rearm and regroup to fulfill its intention to overwhelm Kyiv's troops. That is no way, said President Zelenskyy, to fight off the Russian invasion. Since Russia's February 2022 launch of its full-scale invasion, that Vladimir Putin still insists is a 'special military operation' -- geared to defend Russia from a planned onslaught of Ukrainian 'nazis' from invading Russia -- there have been proposals of limited ceasefires. None have been honoured.

At the present time, both Russia and Ukraine have used an inordinate amount of munitions, and each face shortages. In essence, the winter campaign offers both the opportunity to replenish their weapons stocks following 22 months of conflict, the initial stage of what appears increasingly to become a protracted conflict. During the winter season combat comes to a halt, since troop movement is constrained by weather and associated winter ground conditions.

 

Welcoming ceremony, Riga, Latvia   AP Photo

 

Which hasn't stopped Russia in the past two winters from relentlessly bombing Ukraine's power grids to exact as much damage to the nation's power grid, leaving civilian populations suffering without energy to provide electricity and heating for their homes during the coldest months of the year. Kyiv has been able to compensate fairly well, managing to repair impaired systems to get them back  \up running and productive. But these strikes are costly and time-consuming in remediative efforts and morale-sinking to the civilian population.

During the winter months of bitter cold and snowstorms, the 1,400-kilometre front line remains for the most part, static. Strikes depend on artillery shells, missiles and drones, enabling long-range strikes. Moscow, according to President Zelenskyy, receives artillery shells and missiles from North Korea, and drones from Iran. The White House cited U.S. intelligence as noting Russia acquired ballistic missiles from North Korea and seeks provision of them from Iran as well.

 

Emergency personnel  tend to man injured during a Russian attack on 10Jan in Kharkiv, Ukraine, AP via Ukrainian Emergency Services

 

President Zelenskyy addressed the Estonian parliament while in Tallinn during a swing through Baltic countries, among his country's staunchest supporters. He wore a gift shirt with the Estonian word "Kaitsetahe" -- "The Will to Defend" printed on it, a gift from Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, as he addressed the parliament.

The Ukrainian military plans to mobilize up to 400,000 more troops, the details of their plan "a very sensitive matter" that President Zelenskyy plans to study deeply before arriving at a decision whether he is prepared to agree to the plan. A pledge of more support from Lithuania was given Mr. Zelenskyy, and from there he planed to head out to Latvia following his Estonia trip.

Office of the President, Republic of Estonia   AP Photo