EU and Russia announce Ukrainian deal, while Russia looks at absorbing South Ossetia
South Ossetia Highlighted in Purple Above
Germany and France were part of an agreement to get Ukraine and Russian to reduce certain hostilities in eastern Ukraine:
January 22, 2015
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who hosted a meeting of his counterparts from Russia, Ukraine and France, said the four parties had agreed that the demarcation line defined in the Minsk agreement of September last year should form the basis for the withdrawal. Under the plan, Ukraine and the pro-Russian separatists would pull back their heavy arms 15 kilometres (nine miles) on either side of the line, though there was no agreement on a withdrawal of all troops.
“Finally there was an agreement reached today that the demarcation line, mentioned in the Minsk protocol, will be the line from which the withdrawal of heavy weaponry should start now,” Steinmeier said late on Wednesday after talks in Berlin with his counterparts from France, Russia and Ukraine. …
Separately, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the “strong support” for the pullback was the meeting’s most important result. He said the foreign ministers did not discuss the sanctions that the West has imposed on Russia over the Ukraine crisis, saying: “The sanctions are not our problem, it is the problem of those who introduced them and now do not know how to extricate themselves.”
Earlier this month French President François Hollande said the sanctions should be lifted if progress were made in resolving the crisis.
Lavrov had urged measures to contain the unfolding unrest earlier on Wednesday, but said nothing about the rebels surrendering territory they acquired in violation of the Minsk peace deal. Ukraine says separatist forces that are backed by Russia have overstepped agreed-upon front-line boundaries between the warring sides by 500 square kilometres (190 square miles).
‘Direct support from Russia’
Meanwhile a fresh separatist advance is under way in an area northwest of Luhansk, the second-largest rebel-held city. The fighting is centred on two checkpoints along a strategic highway.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said one of those positions, Checkpoint 31, had been abandoned on Tuesday but that operations were underway to retake it.
The separatist forces appear well poised to take the upper hand, however. http://www.france24.com/en/20150122-russia-ukraine-agree-pullback-line-surge-fighting-weapons-dead/
January 22, 2015
Ukrainian authorities said an artillery shell has hit a trolley bus in the eastern city of Donetsk, killing at least 13 people and sparking accusations of blame from both Ukraine and Russia.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk published a statement on the government’s website blaming what he called “Russian terrorists” for the attack in the city that has been at the center of a territory struggle between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia separatists.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukrainian forces were responsible for what he called a provocation and a crime against humanity.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian military authorities say troops have withdrawn from the Donetsk airport after months of struggle to keep control over the transportation link.
Pro-Russian separatists have staged a bitter battle for control as well, as the airport lies on the northern edge of rebel territory.
“Yesterday evening we made the decision to leave the new terminal,” military spokesman Vladyslav Seleznyov said in reference to the main airport building that had been held by Kyiv forces since late May. “We continue to control the southern part of the airport. … We left the new terminal because it looks like a sieve and there’s simply nowhere to hide there.”
‘Land grab’ accusation
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accused pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine of violating an earlier truce deal with “a blatant land grab” in new fighting near the Russian border. …
Moscow has repeatedly denied direct involvement in the Ukraine crisis, which erupted into warfare in April 2014 when pro-Russian separatists in the Russian-speaking east launched a rebellion against Kyiv’s rule. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued the latest Kremlin denial Wednesday in Moscow. http://www.voanews.com/content/shelling-hits-city-bus-ukraine-donetsk/2608744.html
Europe is heavily involved with trying to resolve the situation between Russia and Ukraine. Europe wants Ukraine as part of its European Union, while it also wants to get along with Russia and lift sanctions. But many simply do not realize how bad Russia wants Ukraine. Kiev was once the capital of Russia.
Might Russia overtly send troops into Ukraine? Many consider this a possibility. Notice the following:
January 20, 2015
“If Ukraine pushes further and, say, enters Donetsk then President Putin will have to respond, and that’s a dilemma,” argues Dmitry Trenin, head of the Moscow Carnegie Centre.
“If he tries to reverse the situation, that will mean a far greater military involvement, and that could be disaster. It’s not what he wanted,” Mr Trenin argues.
In such a scenario, abandoning the pro-Russian separatists to their fate is not an option for Russia’s president. For months, Moscow has accused a “fascist” government in Kiev of conducting a “punitive” operation – even genocide – against Russian speakers in Donetsk and Luhansk. …
That message is hammered home daily by state-controlled television, which portrays patriotic rebel warriors alongside helpless civilians under attack by indiscriminate Ukrainian artillery. The fact that insurgents frequently fire from residential areas is never mentioned.
Formally, Moscow advocates “special status” for the occupied regions of eastern Ukraine, a pro-Russian enclave within a united Ukraine.
But Russia-watchers have suggested that the real goal is another frozen conflict: an open sore for Moscow to prod and stir when required, and so retain influence over Kiev.
But for Ukraine’s authorities, who have already seen Crimea annexed by their neighbour, territorial integrity and sovereignty are key.
President Petro Poroshenko vowed again this weekend not to cede another “scrap” of Ukrainian soil. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30901753
January 20, 2015
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko believes that Ukraine’s possible accession to the European Union will benefit Europe because the future of Europe is inseparably linked with the future of Ukraine.
It does not matter how many difficulties Ukraine may still encounter if Europe stands by Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, dignity, democracy and life without fear, Poroshenko said at the Europe Institute at the University of Zurich, according to the Ukrainian leader’s press service.
In this case, Europe will also have a safer and brighter future, he added.
Poroshenko called on the whole of Europe to unite because, he said, only by acting jointly, democratic nations would succeed in defending freedom for the current and coming generations, who would be able to live without fear and without threats of terrorism and would be able to build a common future.
Ukraine should become a full-fledged member of the “European family of nations” because it is already a historical, spiritual and intellectual element of Europe, the president said. http://rbth.com/news/2015/01/20/president_poroshenko_future_of_europe_linked_with_ukraines_future_42990.html
Despite the views of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, it is possible that Europe could decide that eastern Ukraine is simply not worth the conflict. And while this would upset Kiev, it may have little choice as it is not a military match to Russia and the USA has said it would not fight Russia over Ukraine. Perhaps the European Union would accelerate Ukraine’s membership for allowing Russia to takeover some of the east.
Of course, Russia has interest in more territory than simply eastern Ukraine. It seems to be getting closer to possibly annexing an area that was considered part of the nation of Georgia called South Ossetia:
January 20, 2015
Don’t tell the West, but Vladimir Putin isn’t changing. The Russian President has skipped their little ‘lesson’ on 21st century politics in favor of his own, unadulterated, version. In what we’ve come to expect, Putin is set to formally absorb South Ossetia – Georgia’s breakaway republic – and Gazprom is prepared to deny Europe up to one-quarter of its annual exports to the continent. What’s more, the conflict continues in Ukraine and allegations of Russian financing are growing louder. …
What about those sanctions? Well, more may soon be on the way as the Kremlin is preparing to finalize an “alliance and integration” treaty with South Ossetia, which will place the renegade republic under Russia’s umbrella. Specifically, the agreement will begin to integrate the ostensibly Georgian territory with Russia assuming control of the borders, customs enforcement, and internal security. The standard of living in Russia and even the North Caucasus marks an improvement for South Ossetia, but the motive for Russia is less clear. At the very least, it’s a nominal attempt to assert dominance over a CIS – and larger post-Soviet region – that has increasingly more in common with the West than the Motherland. http://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Expanding-Russia-Issues-Europe-An-Ultimatum.html
North Ossetia has long been part of Russia. South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia in 1990. Ultimately this lead to a war. In the wake of the 2008 South Ossetia War, Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru recognised South Ossetia’s independence. Georgia never has. Since Russia already dominates South Ossetia, further Russian moves will probably not cause major diplomatic issues for Russia.
Russia wants the option to influence and/or acquire all the territory of Ukraine. It likely feels that its limited involvement is the least it can do to show support for the separatists that are opposing the Ukrainian government in Kiev. In the past Russia has basically dared Ukraine to attack, which would give it a claimed cause to fight back. The situation remains tense.
Russia’s President Putin basically believes that the West poses a threat to his nation and that if all of Ukraine goes into the European Union (which is what the government of Kiev wants), it will thus militarily align with the West (which is what it is in the process of doing). Russia does not want NATO closer.
Vladimir Putin also wants Georgia and all other lands that were once part of the old Soviet Union. In 2014, he got Crimea. In 2015 he may get South Ossetia. But he still wants more.
Germany and the EU want Ukraine, but does not want a war with Russia.
Many in parts of Ukraine, Georgia, and Russia are descendents from the ancient Medes. Those called Medes are also shown to destroy the final European Babylonian power according to both Isaiah and Jeremiah:
1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw…
17 “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them,
Who will not regard silver;
And as for gold, they will not delight in it.
18 Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces,
And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb;
Their eye will not spare children.
19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms,
The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride,
Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:1, 17-19)11 Make the arrows bright!
Gather the shields!
The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.
For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it,
Because it is the vengeance of the Lord,
The vengeance for His temple. (Jeremiah 51:11)
The fact that there are multiple kings of the Medes indicates that multiple powers involved in this end time confederation represent multiple governments. Perhaps, such as Russia, Belarus, Crimea, South Ossetia, and possibly some other parts of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, etc.
Even now, not all in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia want to be part of the European Union, and some prefer to be in Russia’s new Eurasian Union. Those that become disillusioned/disappointed by the EU may ultimately back out of it.
The latest agreement between Russian, Europe, and Ukraine is not the end of the matter.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? You can also watch the short video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy Is Russia mentioned in the Bible? It it is where is it? Is there any evidence of a people moving to the land that the Russians now occupy? What do Catholic and other prophecies say about Russia? What does the Bible teach? How are Protestants often in error on this? Is there more in biblical prophecy for Russia than war? Does God have a plan to save Russia and her allies? Does Russia have a history involving Sabbath keepers? Does scripture tie Russia in with Armageddon? Will Russia help defeat the end time Babylonian power? What did the Apostle John, and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, write about Russia? This is a sermon-length video.
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fufilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
Bible News Prophecy July-Sept. 2014: The Coming Eurasian Union Here is the latest magazine from the Continuing Church of God. The cover of which shows Vladimir Putin and features an article about the coming Eurasian Union.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a sermonette-length video.
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
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