Stand With Ukraine Gothenburg

23/01/2025

Kremlin's Hybrid War Against West by Hands of International Organizations

Having started a full-scale invasion in 2022, Russian Federation (RF) constantly boasts about its blatant actions aimed at the elimination of the Ukrainian people. Their politicians, propagandists, ordinary citizens, and of course president putin, boast about Russian crimes in Ukraine.

Falling under the definition of genocide under international law, crimes committed by Russian military include the killing of Ukrainians based on their nationality, the forced mass transfer of Ukrainian children to RF and the subsequent destruction of their identity, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and as a result terror against civilian population. The president of the death cult country putin repeatedly emphasizes in his speeches that Ukrainians as a nation and the Ukrainian state do not exist.

It seemed that well-known international humanitarian organizations, which continuously mention international law and people's rights in their statutes, should be first in line to draw the attention of the international community to the flagrant crimes of the Russian army, to call for active resistance to the aggressor. However, they don't do it, but sit quietly like mice in the holes. Moreover, they are constantly looking for a reason to justify Russia with their actions or inaction.

The military operations doctrine of RF, so-called "Gerasimov’s Doctrine" (Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of RF), dictates the achievement of the necessary strategic and geopolitical goals with the help of informational, political, economic and military methods and means. In the West, such a complex of actions is called a hybrid war.

The Kremlin pays special attention to the informational component of the hybrid warfare with the aim to undermine the society of the intended aggression, to divide it, and to undermine trust in state institutions and organizations.

Preparing the groundwork for a hybrid war against Ukraine and the West in recent decades, the RF spent huge amount of money to establish influence over various organizations, journalists, politicians and opinion leaders. International organizations were the priority targets.

Unfortunately, most international humanitarian organizations have become a tool of the Kremlin in a hybrid war against the West and Ukraine. We suggest going through the main facts that confirm this thesis.

Amnesty International
Summer 2022. An important period before the liberation of Kherson and the Kharkiv operation. The Armed Forces of Ukraine need a lot of additional weapons, supply of some of them is being negotiated. At the same time, Amnesty International representatives are heading to Ukraine with the clear aim of stopping the supply of weapons from Western countries. This organization issued a press release in which it accused the Armed Forces of endangering civilians and criminal conduct of hostilities [1,2]. Instantly, the press release is picked up by Russian propaganda, agents of the Kremlin push it into the media. Only the indignation of the world public does not allow the Kremlin to achieve its goal of blocking arms supplies. The press release was not supported by any authoritative military expert. Amnesty International's actions are a deliberate assistance of the aggressor. Should be noted that no representative of the organization has yet been held accountable.

International Red Cross
International Red Cross is another organization that showed its rotten essence during the Russian aggression. The organization must monitor compliance with the Geneva Conventions and the rights of prisoners of war (POW), locate their whereabouts. What is interesting is that in Ukraine they do exactly that – they constantly visit Russian POWs. But in Russia, the situation is completely different. Ukrainian POWs who returned home during exchanges never saw representatives of the Red Cross [3,4]. And this despite the fact that Ukrainian prisoners of war are constantly tortured, many of them did not survive this torture. Look at the photos of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Contemplating them, the prisoners of the N**i concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald come to memory. What are the actions of the Red Cross? Inactivity. Moreover, this organization does not document torture and does not collect statements of freed Ukrainian POWs. The Red Cross covers the crimes of the fascist RF [6].

During the aggressive war, RF forcibly relocated almost 20 thousand Ukrainian children to its territory, forcibly granted them Russian citizenship, forcibly adopted them into Russian families, and created obstacles for their reunification with the relatives in Ukraine. These children are being forcibly Russified. Instead of stopping criminal activities, representatives of the Belarusian Red Cross took an active part in the deportation [5]. How can you describe the actions of the Red Cross without obscene language? What is this demonic organization where local representatives steal children?

United Nations
You could write a book about the venality of the UN. Currently, this organization is a cesspool that has betrayed all its obligations. In recent years, the UN has set itself the goal of whitewashing RF on the international stage. Most of the UN reports on the Russian war in Ukraine banally do not mention the Russians and the Russian Federation as criminals. Blowing up the Kakhovskaya dam by Russian troops (the consequences are comparable to the use of tactical nuclear weapons)? The UN knows nothing: "We have a day of the Russian language – no crimes." What about the filtration camps created by the Russian Federation in the occupied territories? What actions the UN? The UN is concerned, but offers RF and Ukraine to embrace and reconcile.

Since RF is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it has a platform for spreading its propaganda and legitimizing the occupied Ukrainian lands. In three years, the UN did not even try to deprive RF of a place or at least a voice in the organization. As in the case of the above-mentioned organizations, the criminal actions of RF are being legitimized.

"Art beyond politics"
There are many facts of systematic r**e of children and women by the Russian military, followed by their ex*****on. It seemed that after these facts the international community should understand the essence of the war of RF and its society against Ukraine as a genocide of the Ukrainian people? But representatives of the elite of the international film industry do not understand. Former Russia Today (Russia propaganda channel) journalist Anastasia Trofimova made a propaganda film with the money of Canadian taxpayers. The film "Russians at War" tells about ordinary Russian boys who have feelings, know how to smile and do not understand why the war started. As expected, the film does not mention the r**es and war crimes of the Russian military. The international and "objective" elite of the film industry is delighted. Promotes this propaganda at international film festivals. Calls to accept and forgive criminals. The Russian military just doesn't know anything. There is no doubt that these same "elite" would allow ordinary Russian boys with the smile to r**e their women and children for the sake of peace on Earth. What do you think?

In the hybrid war, time and short memory of modern society are at the Kremlin’s side. Many people remember Bucha and Izyum, civilians shot for their Ukrainian position, children's torture chambers in the occupied territories? It is enough for international organizations to sow doubt, create fog while the Kremlin destroys Ukraine. When RF is done, the dead men and women tell no tales. And impotent international organizations will shrug off their shoulders when asked about genocide: "We are worried. But look here is peace in Ukraine." Yes, such peaceful fields of graves.

Due to the inaction of international humanitarian organizations which have betrayed the values ​​proclaimed in their charters, and, to a greater extent, the silence of Western politicians and international media, we would like to ask the international community:

– remember our children and prisoners of war in Russian prisons - they are being killed morally and physically every day

Spread information about Russian crimes against humanity in social networks and, if possible, mention the Kremlin hostages when meeting your political representatives.

– it is necessary to disband all pseudo-humanitarian organizations that parasitize on people's grief

Organizations that betrayed their statutory obligations and became PR agencies of aging dictators cannot be called humanitarian. The first step to the dissolution of such organizations is to refuse funding them both by ordinary citizens and national governments.

Most of international humanitarian organizations are hypocrites who cover their snake-like essence with statements about people's rights.



[1] Unreleased Report Finds Faults in Amnesty International’s Criticism of Ukraine
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/27/us/amnesty-international-report-ukraine-russia.html
[2] Why did Amnesty International Ignore My Warnings about their Ukraine Investigation?
https://bylinetimes.com/2022/08/08/why-did-amnesty-international-ignore-my-warnings-about-their-ukraine-investigation/
[3] The Red Cross "at the service" of the Russians: shocking testimony of a Ukrainian released from captivity
https://tsn.ua/exclusive/chervoniy-hrest-na-sluzhbi-u-rosiyan-shokuvalni-svidchennya-zvilnenogo-z-polonu-ukrayincya-2547637.html
[4] Most Ukrainian POWs haven’t seen Red Cross while in Russian captivity, ombudsman says
https://kyivindependent.com/most-ukrainian-pows-havent-seen-red-cross-while-in-russian-captivity-ombudsman-says/
[5] Global Red Cross urges ouster of Belarus chapter chief who boasted of bringing in Ukrainian children
https://apnews.com/article/shautsou-belarus-red-cross-red-crescent-ukraine-russia-children-e3cac2b28d61660b9c4b815a19ba6887
[6] Russia Is Returning Ukrainian POW’s Bodies Without Internal Organs
https://united24media.com/latest-news/russia-is-returning-ukrainian-pows-bodies-without-internal-organs-1382

13/01/2025

The colonial dominance of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe went hand in hand with the dominance of Russian culture and the marginalization of others. In Western debates, the calls from Ukraine to stop promoting Russian culture as long as this war is ongoing are often framed as problematic. Should we in the West really be debating this while Ukrainian authors are being killed by Russia right now?

Germany's "Russia-complex" is linked to an uncritical adulation of Russian literature. The colonial mindset expressed in many Russian classics is too often overlooked.

23/11/2024

"Mamma, jag vill ha bröd, mamma, jag vill äta!" Och var ska du få tag i bröd, när det inte finns en smula? Han dog, den minsta dog. Detta är ett av de hundratusentals minnen från de som överlevde Holodomor 1932- 33 år i Ukraina. Dessa ord ekar genom historien som tunga, smärtsamma rop på hjälp, från djupet av den ukrainska själen. Dessa röster slocknade inte i historiens dimma, utan blev en del av det historiska traumat som ukrainare bär med sig genom generationer. De väcker smärtsamma minnen av terrorsvälten organiserad av den kommunistiska regimen i syfte att utplåna den ukrainska nationen. Medan vissa fortfarande letar efter ursäkter och rättfärdigar kommunismens grymheter, har ukrainare upplevt dess existentiella lidande genom epokerna. Ryssland har genom massmord, svält, förtryck och språkförbud försökt utplåna Ukraina i århundranden. Vår fiende och dess metoder att krossa den ukrainska nationen är densamma ännu idag.
Till minne av de oskyldiga offren för folkmordet i Ukraina - Holodomor 1932 - 1933.

#Геноцид #Голодомор

21/11/2024

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ADDICTION: DEPENDENCY OF WESTERN DEMOCRACIES ON TOTALITARIAN REGIMES

During wartime, one of the most pressing issues remains the provision of material and economic resources for conducting military operations. An aggressor can suffer defeat even while having an advantage in personnel and equipment. A striking example of this is World War I: despite the fact that the German Empire did not allow a single foreign soldier onto its territory and won numerous battles, it ultimately faced defeat due to its devastated economy.

The war waged by russian federation against Ukraine has lasted nearly three years. Western countries have implemented numerous sanction packages aimed at depleting the aggressor's resources. However, in practice, this depletion is not evident. What is the reason for this? Could it be that Russia's resources are inexhaustible? The events of recent years indicate that Western sanctions are merely a smokescreen for civil society. We support Ukraine but money is valued above all.

The article [1], published a year ago, highlights the schemes for circumventing sanctions by russian federation. Since then the situation has only worsened.

Kremlin utilizes the countries of the Eurasian Union and neighboring states as transit nations to circumvent sanctions. A compelling example can be seen in the export from the European Union (EU) to two countries in the Caucasus region (Georgia and Armenia) and Central Asia (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) over the past ten years. Picture 1 illustrates the range, marked by green dotted lines, which reflects the natural or pre-war export levels from the EU to these countries up until 2022.

However, following the russian invasion of Ukraine and the introduction of initial sanctions, a surprisingly rapid increase in exports has been observed to the mentioned countries. Compared to 2021, exports increased by 71% in 2022 and by 121% in 2023 [3]. At the same time, none of the importing countries show significant economic growth that could explain such an increase in export volumes.

There is no doubt that goods resulting from the surplus exports are reaching russian federation. This is confirmed by statistics on freight transportation in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Armenia, particularly in their border regions.

The statistics in the Kyrgyz border region of Talas, adjacent to Kazakhstan, are particularly striking. In 2022 and 2023, freight volumes in the Talas region amounted to 11.8 million and 14.9 million tons, respectively, compared to only 2.7 million tons in 2021 [2]. All of this freight is routed to russia via Kazakhstan.

It should be emphasized that exports to russian federation through third countries include electronics, electrical equipment, machinery, and vehicles — essential tools for conducting war. For instance, Ukrainian Armed Forces specialists have found Western microchips in missiles used by the Kremlin to strike civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

The situation with other Western countries is similar to that of the EU: the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and others are utilizing third countries for trade with russia. Therefore, one of the key directions of the sanctions policy — limiting the russian federation's access to the instruments of warfare — has been failed by the Western democracies.

Another important direction of the sanctions policy is to prevent replenishment of the aggressor's financial resources. Revenue from oil trade constitutes a significant portion of Russia's budget (25-30%) which justifies the corresponding decision by Western countries to impose sanctions in this trading sector.

In December 2022, a group of G7 countries in coordination with the EU introduced a price cap on Russian oil shipped by sea at $60 per barrel while global prices hovered around $80-85.

How was this sanction intended to work? International insurance companies insure all oil transported by tankers by sea until it reaches its destination. Consequently, insurance companies and carriers were supposed to refuse to transport russian oil if the purchase price exceeded $60; otherwise, they risked facing sanctions themselves. In this way, russia was expected to lose excess profits from oil sales. However, this sanction has proven to be ineffective in practice.

The shadow fleet of tankers created by russian federation enables the country to sell oil at market prices, thereby circumventing sanctions. Greek shipbuilding oligarchs facilitated the establishment of this fleet by selling a significant portion of their tankers either directly or through offshore companies. Picture 2 illustrates the volume of oil tanker shipments departing from russian ports based on the location of the beneficial owner's headquarters [4].

The light gray color on the graph denotes the shadow fleet. Notice how the share of this color increases while the share of Greek carriers correspondingly decreases. Greek shipbuilding oligarchs are aiding russia in circumventing sanctions, while the EU simply ignores this activity. As summary, another important aspect of the sanctions policy has been failed.

In addition to the toothless sanctions policy from the West, the russian economy remains afloat with the support of China. Only in September this year, the East Asian country exported machining tools and electrical equipment worth $3.5 billion! Without China's assistance, the russian military machine would not be able to function. What actions have Western countries taken to stop these supplies? None.

The presented facts indicate a deliberate inaction on the part of Western democracies regarding sanctions policy. It should be noted that no one is obligated to impose sanctions against russia or China nor to assist Ukraine. However, in the third year of the war, it is essential to determine what goals are to be achieved and act according to a clear plan. Either join together to combat totalitarian regimes in restoring international law, or step forward and declare: "We love putin and xi, even more their money, and will kiss their asses for it. As for Ukraine, let it perish; we are tired of its struggle."

Yet, the russian brazen invasion will not end with Ukraine. If Ukraine is sold out — then what is next? Will the inevitable invasion of European Union countries by russia unfold differently? Everything will be as it is with Ukraine: missiles equipped with European components, perhaps even from your country, will rain down on the cities, European tankers will transport russian oil, and offshore funds will flow through European banks.

Over the last thirty years, Western countries have been solving their economic problems by relying on cheap energy supplies from russia, accessible labor and the vastness of the Chinese market. Western companies have reaped short-term profits, politicians have gained political capital, and ordinary citizens have benefited from cheap, often low-quality products. But what have russia and China gained in return? They have acquired access to unlimited financial capital and modern technologies, as well as the ability to act with impunity against freedom fighters both in their own countries and in neighboring states, transforming into true monsters. Indeed, these monsters have been nurtured by our own hands.

Most importantly, Western democracies have fallen into a genuine dependence on totalitarian regimes. Just think about it. We in the West wake up every day pondering about the new red lines set by putin and xi. How are they doing? Have they eaten well? Did they take a bathroom break? Is their health stable, or should we prepare a plane to Charité? Let’s draw a new red line for ourselves just in case not to upset putin and xi. It's simply pathetic behaviour, akin to that of a drug addict before a dealer.

To inflict real economic damage on russia, clear sanction measures should have been implemented the day before yesterday:

- close the re-export of sanctioned goods to russia via third countries
- establish criminal liability for heads of Western companies who violate sanctions
- apply significant pressure on China to reduce the flow of goods needed by Russia for conducting war.

In order to counter the advance of dictatorships, countries that respect freedom must change their approach to economic activity. There is a need to deepen cooperation with nations that share common values and principles while reducing economic dependence on totalitarian regimes.

Otherwise, the ideologies of ruscism and modern communism will soon grind up Western democracies and spit them out into the garbage bin of history. Believe Ukrainians, who have endured centuries in the prison of nations, that these ideologies and their bearers will erase the memory of your past and your roots, leaving no name behind.

[1] Large capital on the Kremlin’s side
https://www.ukrainian-spirit-gbg.se/2023/06/blog-post.html
[2] Russian sanctions evasion through third countries
https://www.berneunion.org/Articles/Details/859/Unresolved-questions-Regional-trade-patterns-change-in-wake-of-EUs-Russia-sanct
https://info.ceicdata.com/eus-exports-to-kyrgyzstan-surge-signalling-russian-sanctions-evasion
[3] IMF database of export to counterparts
https://data.imf.org/regular.aspx?key=61726508
[4] How Greek shipbuilding companies profit from the Kremlin's war
https://worldcrunch.com/business-finance/russian-oil-greek-shipping
https://x.com/robin_j_brooks/status/1848015599466627255

19/11/2024

1000 days of resilience
1000 days of courage
1000 days of fighting for freedom

Stand on the right side of history - Stand with Ukraine 🇺🇦

23/09/2024

CHINA IS A THREAT TO EUROPE DISGUISED AS A PEACEMAKER

Photo by Meizhi Lang on Unsplash China is a threat to Europe disguised as a Peacemaker. The annual UN General Assembly begins on Tuesday 24 September. Most readers will view this news as routine, imagining hundreds of state leaders in similar ties or exotic national costumes delivering traditional,....

04/09/2024

Харків. Полтава. Львів. Люди могли б бути живі, якби захід дозволив Україні знищити російські військові аеродроми.
Чи вони це розуміють і чи відчувають вину? Колективна безвідповідальність заходу, колективна байдужість, боягузтво та лицемірство третій рік спричиняють тисячу смертей.

"Після атаки на Львів живим на цьому фото залишився тільки чоловік. Дружина Євгенія та троє їхніх доньок – Ярина, Дарина та Емілія – загинули у власному будинку."

24/08/2024

ІЗ ДНЕМ НЕЗАЛЕЖНОСТІ!

Редьярд Кіплінґ "Синові" в перекладі Василя Стуса

Коли ти бережеш залізний спокій
всупір загальній паніці й клятьбі,
коли наперекір хулі жорстокій
між невірів ти віриш сам собі.
Коли ти вмієш ждати без утоми,
обмовлений, не станеш брехуном,
ошуканий, не піддаєшся злому
і власним не хизуєшся добром.
Коли тебе не порабують мрії,
в кормигу дум твій дух себе не дасть,
коли ти знаєш, що за лицедії —
облуда щастя й машкара нещасть.
Коли ти годен правди пильнувати,
з якої вже зискують махлярі,
розбитий витвір знову доробляти,
хоча начиння геть уже старі.
Коли ти можеш всі свої надбання
поставити на кін, аби за мить
проциндрити без жалю й дорікання —
адже тебе поразка не страшить.
Коли змертвілі нерви, думи, тіло
ти можеш знову кидати у бій,
коли триматися немає сили
і тільки воля владно каже: стій!
Коли в юрбі шляхетності не губиш,
а бувши з королями — простоти,
коли ні враг, ні друг, котрого любиш,
нічим тобі не можуть дорікти.
Коли ти знаєш ціну щохвилини,
коли від неї геть усе береш,
тоді я певен: ти єси людина
і землю всю своєю назовеш.

11/08/2024

RUSSIAN CAPTIVITY KILLS! DON'T STAY SILENT!

We must remember that russian captivity is not just physical imprisonment. It is also about taking your voice and hope away. Russian captivity kills!
There are currently 28 000 Ukrainians in russian captivity and they need our help.
We must shout out for them, because their fate depends on how active and demanding we are. Each of us can contribute to the fight for their release and return home.

We demand:

- immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners
- accountability for the Olenivka massacre
- strict adherence to international humanitarian law.

Fight for them as they have been fighting for us!

04/08/2024

FEEDING THE EVIL: DANCING ON THE BONES OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS

In 2018-2019, the European general public was shocked by a scandal related to the laundering of Russian money by two banks: the Danish Danske and the Swedish Swedbank [1]. Criminal money totalling to hundreds of billions of euros has been laundered through the shell companies that had accounts in Scandinavian banks. Investigations have followed resulting in the changes of management of the banks after the biggest money-laundering scandal in modern time. After a while the European financial institutions assured the public that from now on Kremlin criminals will have no way to launder their money exploiting European financial system.

Unfortunately, such statements turned out to be empty rhetoric that is not supported by facts. The facts, in turn, show that Russian money has been laundered continuously for decades. This allowed putin to achieve his goal of weakening Europe from within through a network of paid agents before the actual military invasion.

Let's make an imaginary tour of Europe to find out who and how being paid by putin. This material is the third article in the series devoted to the Kremlin's allies abroad topic. Previous articles can be found by following links:

1. Large corporations on the Kremlin’s side [2]
2. Kremlin’s political allies [3]

Next stop after Scandinavia is Germany, the first economy in Europe and an important geopolitical player that sets the tone for the European foreign policy. In recent decades, Germany's policy towards the Russian Federation has been soft and open. Preferences, opening the market for Russian energy corporations, investments in the economy of the Russian Federation and turning a blind eye to its unfriendly actions which would not be forgiven for other countries. It is all about Germal policy towards Russia.

Why would this happen you may ask?

Hubert Seipel is a German journalist, who portrayed himself as an objective and independent researcher of geopolitical events, has been spreading Kremlin narratives on TV shows and through his books for years. A recent journalistic investigation Cyprus Confidential shows that Hubert Seipel turned out to be an ordinary Moscow propagandist who gets salary from the Kremlin through the Cypriot shell company [4]. There are enough of such "objective and independent" journalists in other Western countries. They are putin's informational weapon which he uses to influence public opinion.

Do you want to know how Cyprus, a European Union country, fell to its knees before the Kremlin's money opening a backdoor for illicit capital into European financial system? Read the elaborate article from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project [5].

The influence of Russian money in Germany is not limited to journalistic circles. The country's foreign intelligence service (BND) is supposed to protect it from external threats but, for now, it sells the allies’ secrets. According to media reports in 2023, a high-ranking German intelligence officer was charged with treason for transferring classified information about Ukraine to Russian special services for 450,000 euros [6]. The question arises: how is Europe going to defend itself having Kremlin’s agents in its intelligence services?

For sure, the Kremlin could not ignore the Germany’s political landscape. Here, he has his own party - Alternative for Germany (AfD). It has extremely close relations with the Kremlin: many of their politicians received gifts, free luxury trips to the Russian Federation, and funding from their masters [7]. Therefore, it is not surprising that AfD politicians oppose aid to Ukraine, sanctions against the Russian Federation and advocate for rapprochement with it.

putin has his agents among the centrist parties as well. Meet Manuela Schwesig, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), who got into a scandal for receiving 20 million euros from Gazprom [8]. Created by her The Climate and Environment Protection Fund did not deal with environmental issues but with the construction and promotion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The wallets of European citizens well remember how putin used gas and this pipeline in the non-distant past. So whose interests are Manuela Schwesig promoting? Interestingly, Schwesig lobbied for Nord Stream 2 together with putin's confidant in Germany, Warnig (a former Stasi agent).

Unfortunately, the examples from Germany are not an exception but part of the existential threat from Russian money on the politics and existence of European countries.

Let's visit the Vatican as the next stop in the tour. The Pope, an admirer of the genocidal imperial actions of the Russian Federation, got himself into scandals numerous times after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One day he is delighted with the imperial culture that has been destroying Ukrainian for centuries. Another he howls about the escalation in the war when Ukraine strikes military targets on the Russian territory. Or he offers Ukraine to throw away the white flag in order to return peace to Europe. Why does the Pope follow Russian rhetoric? The explanation is quite banal.

There is an organization in Vatican structure - Institute for the Works of Religion or simply the Vatican bank. This opaque organization is an offshore bank that has special arrangements with European financial institutions taking advantage of the specific nature of the Vatican state. Considering the past of this bank and the Vatican as a whole which includes receiving money from Benito Mussolini, capitalising on the killing of Jews during the Holocaust, funneling $900 million of New York mafia money, laundering money for the Italian mafia and Italy's elite (see bank Ambrosiano case) and others [9], it remains a matter of time when the investigative journalists confirm the fact of money laundering for the Kremlin mafia.

In general, all "doves of peace" who constantly demand actions from Ukraine but none from Russia, are connected with the Kremlin's money. For instance, here is Switzerland whose political leadership is for peace and neutrality. According to the modest estimates, $200 billion related to Russia is in the country and only 7 of them were frozen after the beginning of the war. In June 2022, the country's government considered a proposal to create a task force that would actively search for Russian money in the country, and... did not see the need for it [10]. At the same time, Switzerland ranks first in Europe in the transfer of components for Russian weapons and simultaneously blocks the transfer of arms to Ukraine by third countries. This is paid hypocrisy and not neutrality.

On June 6, the leaders of the Western countries gathered in Normandy for the anniversary of the Allies landing in 1944. There were many declarations about the memory of the past and the deterrence of the enemies of the free world in the present times. These statements bring only a sad smile. How are you going to defeat the enemies of civilized world if you can't stop taking their money?

Take as an example Oleksandr Zakharov, the developer of the Lancet loitering drone which is used by the russian invading force in Ukraine. His family, meaning him, owns elite real estate in the center of London [11]. Do you think this property was frozen after the start of the war? No. Moreover, his family is not subject to sanctions and is enjoying life in Europe. How did it happen that putin's killers own property in Great Britain and other European countries? The scheme is very simple, let's take a look at it.

The Kremlin’s money through the shell companies first enter Europe, let's say through the banks of Cyprus. Now, Kremlin wants to give them to the agents. How to do it? The agents would create a chain of offshore companies to hide the owner's identity. One of these companies is created in a European country, for example, Great Britain. To finish the process of laundering money, the Kremlin mob needs to transfer them from Cyprus to the company's account in Great Britain in a way that would look “legal”. But who is going to do that?! Relax, this is Europe. There is a queue of banks and law firms ready to grab ill-gotten russian money for a fee [12]. Some of them have already been mentioned in this article.

Finally, the Kremlin’s money is in Great Britain, legalized and ready to be used. It can be invested in a local politician, journalist or lobbyist who will promote the interests of the Kremlin in Europe.

Alright. A reader may ask: this is all bad of course but why should I be interested in this topic? Why is it important for me? The problem is Russian money, through agents of influence, destroys the institutions on which the stability of Europe is based. This has already led to the degradation of democracy in Europe and further inaction will only worsen the situation.

The most tragic thing is that we by ourselves opened the door for the criminals and let them into our home. Our indifference has led to the situation when evil feels at home in Europe.

In 2018, the Spanish court began considering the case of massive money laundering by the Russian mafia in the country [13]. It took TEN years for prosecutors to get with the case into the court possessing convincing evidence. Law enforcement operation "Troika" highlighted the connections of Russian MPs and high-ranking officials close to Putin with the mafia and money laundering. Have any of them been punished by a court? No. None. Is this the rule of law in Europe? Scum is roaming on the streets of Europe untouched. Lack of justice is the end of freedom.

Russian agents pumped by Kremlin’s money influence key decisions in Europe here and now. The time has come for active action and the citizens of Europe can change the negative trend of the democracy degradation. We need to work in the following directions:

- more interest from general public to the investigations of the journalists and anti-corruption organizations; there should be an understanding among population how Russian money getting into Europe;
- adoption of the legislation at the EU level which would make impossible for money to enter Europe through various types of the shell companies; there is a large resistance (who would think right?) towards this;
- creation of the European investigative body that would be engaged in bringing to justice all Kermlin’s agents of influence, regardless of their positions; everyone should see that collaboration with dictators is punishable;

Many in the West want to end the Russian war against Ukraine at the cost of Ukrainian territories. They lounge for the status quo, the symbiosis with the bloody Kremlin, when you can talk on the cameras about the values ​​of the free world and at the same time count money from its enemies in your wallet.

There will be no more status quo. Evil is no longer interested in living next to us, it wants to live instead of us. The question arises: will we be able to find the strength to resist it or will we continue to be its butlers?

The material is published as part of the project
"Ukrainian spirit"

P.S. In the photo Austrian Foreign Minister (2017-2019) Karin Kneissl waltzes with Putin during her wedding in 2018.

You can also read our articles in the blog https://www.ukrainian-spirit-gbg.se/

[1] Scandinavian banks at the heart of money laundering scheme
https://www.politico.eu/article/the-north-relaunders/
https://www.bscapitalmarkets.com/the-nordic-laundromat-the-scandinavian-banks-involved-in-baltic-money-laundering.html
[2] Large corporations on the Kremlin’s side
https://www.facebook.com/standwithuagbg/posts/pfbid02QekdqNThbDyTQRD18PEaj6tSjTFLFXferHmvF9BH6otmh4gb2KLvp6SLwCSEGcgyl
[3] Political allies of the Kremlin
https://www.facebook.com/standwithuagbg/posts/pfbid028vXBGVAEvCmbg92qqDWMNWRnJmCvKSNiQvpmRtkfUMzodtwbU9BPE79FNQeCkELDl
[4] German journalist gets salary from the Kremlin
https://www.icij.org/investigations/cyprus-confidential/german-journalist-putin-documentary-cyprus-secret-payments/
[5] How Cyprus rose to become the beating heart of the Putin regime’s shadow financial system
https://www.icij.org/investigations/cyprus-confidential/cyprus-model-politics-tax-haven-russian-wealth/
[6] German intelligence service officer sells secrets to Moscow
https://apnews.com/article/germany-russia-intelligence-bnd-fsb-treason-charges-08a46501ed9aa8070dc9b08c9e913e5b
[7] German parties under the influence of russian money
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd13114xwkqo
https://twitter.com/P_Kallioniemi/status/1774084529201856903
[8] German politician received money from Gazprom for the completion of the gas pipeline
https://www.dw.com/en/nord-stream-putins-pipeline-into-german-politics/a-64901745
[9] Vatican and criminal money
https://www.businessinsider.com/gods-bankers-financial-scandals-at-the-vatican-2015-2
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Bankers-History-Money-Vatican/dp/1416576576?tag=bisafetynet2-20
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-23289297
[10] Switzerland’s neutrality with the taste of russian money
https://twitter.com/PStyle0ne1/status/1681919676211777536
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/banking-fintech/switzerland-says-sorry-oligarchs-paradise/47820090
[11] Family of putin's killer enjoying Europe
https://svidomi.in.ua/en/page/family-of-lancet-drone-developer-aleksandr-zakharov-owns-property-in-the-uk
[12] Great Britain: scheme of laundering russian money
https://twitter.com/Beefeater_Fella/status/1755306088826630347
https://twitter.com/ByDonkeys/status/1499766468610863106
[13] Russian mafia money in Spain
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43112443
https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/5195-spain-issues-arrest-warrants-for-organized-crime-linked-top-russian-officials