CHIȘINĂU, 18-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Moldova faces a pivotal moment as the 2024 presidential elections approach, with foreign actors working to undermine its democratic process. These elections will determine whether Moldova strengthens its democracy and ties with Europe or falls back under authoritarian influence. The Moldovan diaspora, a powerful voting bloc, has the opportunity to shape the country’s future.
Disinformation, fueled by Russian-backed sources, is spreading false narratives aimed at confusing voters and eroding trust in the electoral system. With a surge in registered voters from Russia and tactics similar to those seen in Ukraine and Belarus, Moldova’s democracy is under threat. The diaspora’s participation is essential to ensuring the country’s democratic progress continues.
Why the Diaspora Matters: Shaping Moldova’s Future
In 2020, the Moldovan diaspora played a crucial role in Maia Sandu’s victory, helping Moldova move toward European integration. The 2024 elections are even more decisive, with Moldova’s future on the line. Moldovans abroad must recognize the urgency of this moment—voting is a powerful defense against disinformation and authoritarianism.
Call to Action: Defend Democracy by Voting
VOTE on October 20, 2024: Every vote counts in the fight for Moldova’s future. Moldovans in the diaspora can safeguard democracy by casting their ballots. For information on voting: https://www.voteaza.md/diaspora-voteaza. For voting locations abroad, visit: https://diaspora.cec.md/.
Combat Disinformation: Share accurate information and encourage others to vote. The diaspora has the power to ensure Moldova remains a free and democratic nation.
TBILISI, Georgia, 15-Aug-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — This summer, four anti-war Russian emigrants came together through their involvement in the first-ever “Art of Peace†artist residency, backed by Campaigns for Humanity, the human rights-focused philanthropic arm of digital marketing agency Renaissance3. The initiative facilitates connection among artists affected by conflict and provides them with a platform to express their opposition to war and engage with their host communities.
“Art of Peace†innovators blend technology, self-expression to bring anti-war messages to life
Created through a collaboration of artists wishing to remain anonymous due to concerns for the safety of loved ones inside Russia, the cutting-edge project known as “Road Signs†uses augmented reality to catapult street art into the future: Users in Russia and neighboring countries who download the mobile app “AR Hunter†can point their smartphone camera at a road sign and see it transform into an animated artwork promoting peace.
“Road Signs,†whose message speaks directly to those potentially involved in armed conflict, will be integrated into the “AR Hunter†[http://arhunter.org/] app created by Anastasia Vladychkina, leader of the well-known art group Yav [https://taplink.cc/yav_zone], by the end of August.
Continuing the embrace of the latest applications of technology in art, prizewinning artist and “Art of Peace†resident Alisa Yoffe [http://alisayoffe.com/] led a masterclass on protest art in the virtual-reality world of “Xanax Tbilisi.†During the session, Yoffe virtually “walked†participants through the streets of Tbilisi to view protest art superimposed on elements of the cityscape. Emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project, Yoffe has invited all who wish to contribute their own anti-war graffiti to access the world of “Xanax Tbilisi†through the platform “VRChat [https://hello.vrchat.com/].â€
Against the backdrop of war, a poignant artistic movement emerges
A heartfelt song born from the collective contemplation of 10 Russian emigrants when posed with the question, “What would you say to someone fighting in the war against Ukraine?†and titled “To the Russian Soldier,†culminates in the haunting refrain, “I want [you] to live… others will live too.â€
Data reported [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats] in Mediazona underscore the grave risk born by those sent by Russia to fight: While military casualty data are classified, with those daring to report on the number of fallen soldiers prosecuted for spreading “fake news†about the army, as of late May 2023, at least 47,000 Russian men under the age of 50 had died in the war. Mediazona and Meduza estimated [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats] that 78,000 Russian soldiers may have been wounded or missing in action, bringing overall losses to 125,000. This figure stands in stark contrast with publicly disclosed information from Russia; as reported in Mediazona [https://en.zona.media/article/2023/07/10/stats], the last time the Ministry of Defence disclosed any casualty figures was in September 2022, when Sergei Shoygu announced that a total of 5,937 soldiers were killed in action.
Pioneering narratives for peace
Semra Fogel, an inaugural “Art of Peace†resident and architect of the “Verses are Louder than Bombs†workshop, gathered five anti-war poets at Reforum Space Tbilisi [https://reforumspaces.io/] this July for a collaborative art-making experience centered around song. In her own words, “I think art is a way to draw attention to this problem. If more people are going to use their art for this purpose and ask their friends to, we stand a better chance at peace. It’ll be better… for those who have already suffered from the war and for those defending themselves against further and further evil that this war brings.â€
Fogel plans to build on her initial concept, with the goal of scaling it so more people feel prepared to produce protest art, whether collaboratively or individually. Reflecting on the five poets who participated in her flagship workshop, Fogel said, “I’m very proud of their work. I’m proud of my work because I managed to inspire them. It’s the coolest thing.â€
Get involved
To participate in the Art of Peace movement, individuals and communities are encouraged to:
Share their anti-war artwork on social media using the hashtags #ArtofPeace, #ИÑкуÑÑтвоМира, #IWantYouToLive, & #ХочуЧтобыЖил.
Host their own collaborative art-making meetups. The resident artists crafted a guide for members of the public to use, included below.
Guide to Hosting an Art of Peace Art-Making Meetup
Gather a group of people and any art supplies you like or have access to. Old magazines, glue, and paper are all you need to create a collage!
Together, look at a piece of art, such as one of those included in the virtual gallery [https://campaignsforhumanity.com/art-of-peace/]. Then discuss how it makes you feel, what you like about it; maybe what you didn’t understand or didn’t like about it.
Spend some time as a group making art or poetry of your own, inspired by the discussion and the artwork. You might use the title “I want you to live†or “art of peace†to help guide you.
Share your work on social media using the hashtag #ArtofPeace, #ИÑкуÑÑтвоМира, #IWantYoutoLive, & #ХочуЧтобыЖил.
To stay up to date on the latest Art of Peace news, follow Campaigns for Humanity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
TBILISI, Georgia, 7-Jul-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — This summer, a group of Russian activists, currently living in exile, are banding together to cultivate artistic resistance to the war among the Russian diaspora. The activists, all of whom are working artists collectively specializing in a variety of mediums, initially connected through their participation in the inaugural “Art of Peace†artist residency sponsored by Campaigns for Humanity, the human rights-focused philanthropic arm of digital marketing agency Renaissance3. The initiative is designed to bring together artists affected by conflict and provide them with a platform to express their opposition to war and engage with their host communities.
“It [Art of Peace] provides an opportunity to collaborate with other talented artists, poets, and writers, united by a common goal: confronting war and violence through art.†– Anastasia Vladyckina, Art of Peace resident
Reflecting on the residency, one participant, who asked to be identified only by the letter “R†due to concern for the safety of her family still living in Russia, stated, “War cannot stop us from creating art. Here we meet, speak out, exchange, and create.â€
Driven by their belief in the transformative power of expression, the “Art of Peace†residents are sharing their expertise with the broader diaspora community through immersive art experiences open to the public–including those who may not yet consider themselves artists. During these experiences, participants are guided to cultivate a sense of community amongst themselves as they create works centering around the themes of peace and pleas of “I want you to live,†an appeal directed at those in Russia they fear they could lose to this unjust war.
One of the experiences produced by the residents, titled “Verses Are Louder than Bombs,†is being organized by musician Semra Fogel and takes place at Reforum Space Tbilisi on 8, 15, and 16 July. Prospective participants must submit an application containing an original anti-war poem, which they will transform into a soundtrack over the course of three sessions led by Fogel, who received professional training in workshop facilitation as part of the “Art of Peace†residency.
“I want to inspire people opposed to the war to create art and feel the courage to share it with those who became victims of propaganda,†said Fogel. “I believe that art can be a powerful tool to promote peace and understanding between people of different backgrounds and political opinions.â€
Those selected by Fogel to participate will have the opportunity to contribute the song they create during the sessions to an anti-war album that will ultimately be released to the public. Participants pay a fee of 30 GEL, with all proceeds sent to Helping To Leave, a volunteer-driven initiative that provides assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war. Participation is free for Ukrainian citizens.
Additional “Art of Peace†resident-led experiences, including a collaborative street art project conducted in augmented reality and a masterclass in protest art held in virtual reality, will be announced soon.
“Art is also capable of restoring the spiritual strength of people suffering from war and destruction. It can help them perceive the world and themselves in it anew, seeking paths to inner reconciliation and emotional peace. In this sense, art serves as a means of healing and self-expression, which can help people cope with traumas and fears.†– Anastasia Vladyckina, Art of Peace Resident
As “Art of Peace†moves beyond the residency phase and expands its reach to the general public, the founding class of artists expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential. “While war–using weapons–deprives us of the opportunity for dialogue, art remains a means of interaction on the path to peace,†wrote resident Alisa Yoffe, who is known for her large-scale anti-war art installations. “I am an artist from Russia, and I find it extremely important to speak out against war.â€
To participate in the Art of Peace movement, individuals and communities are encouraged to:
Share their anti-war artwork on social media using the hashtags #ArtofPeace, #ИÑкуÑÑтвоМира, and #IWantYouToLive.
Contribute to the virtual gallery hosted by Campaigns for Humanity.
Host their own collaborative art-making meetups. The resident artists crafted a guide for members of the public to use, outlined below.
Guide to Hosting an Art of Peace Art-Making Meetup
Gather a group of people and any art supplies you like or have access to. Old magazines, glue, and paper are all you need to create a collage!
Together, look at a piece of art, such as one of those included in the virtual gallery. Then discuss how it makes you feel, what you like about it; maybe what you didn’t understand or didn’t like about it.
Spend some time as a group making art or poetry of your own, inspired by the discussion and the artwork. You might use the title “I want you to live†or “art of peace†to help guide you.
Share your work on social media using the hashtags #ArtofPeace, #ИÑкуÑÑтвоМира, and #IWantYoutoLive
To stay up to date on the latest Art of Peace news, including announcements of forthcoming workshops, follow Campaigns for Humanity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
VILNIUS, 31-May-2023 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — According to reporting in the Moscow Times, up to 1 million people have fled Russia in the wake of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hailing from a diversity of backgrounds but united by an impassioned opposition to the invasion and unequivocal support for Ukrainian sovereignty, the anti-war Russian diaspora has established itself as a massive force driven by tireless emigres committed to justice.
Lana Pylaeva, the coordinator of Free Russia Netherlands, told independent media outlet Not My War, “To me, the greatest achievement is that we have established ourselves in the Netherlands as a community of war–opposing Russians. To achieve this, we have organized a whole complex of activities since the full-scale war.â€
From collecting humanitarian aid for Ukrainians and running bots to help those in Russia avoid conscription; to in-person pickets, marches, and blanketing the streets with protest art; to launching a multinational project demanding the return of Ukraine’s stolen children, dubbed SaveChildrenFromPutinism.org; the opportunities to reject Russian state aggression are as multifaceted as the people spearheading them, and the rate of activity is enough to make the head spin.
Driving the opposition effort’s momentum are centralized hubs–such as the online platform Map of Peace–activists use to coordinate their activities and support one another. Originally launched just after the full-scale invasion as a means of connecting Russian-speaking anti-war activists across the globe, Map of Peace, bolstered by a recent Campaigns for Humanity award, is announcing a new goal of hosting every Russian anti-war initiative on its map. With 144 communities already on the map and growing by the dozens in recent months, project organizers are confident the updated platform’s one-stop-shop convenience will amplify the impact of the legions of expatriates agitating for peace.
As the war drags into its 16th month, there’s a renewed sense of urgency among anti-war advocates, fueled by evidence suggesting that their efforts are working. For example, activists with Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAR), a movement hosted on Map of Peace, frequently engage in creative propaganda subversion techniques designed to appeal directly to those in Russia, such as creating “anti-lessons†parents can use to counter the effects of the militarization indoctrination imposed on Russian schoolchildren, and turning a favored Russian propaganda tool–tanks–on its head by posting to Google Maps photoshopped images of tanks covered in blood and featuring anti-war slogans.
Excerpt from Feminist Anti-War Resistance Facebook Post About Its “Anti-Lessonâ€: “Before May 9, propaganda ‘patriotic classes’ are held for many Russian schoolchildren and students, justifying the attack on Ukraine with the narrative of the Second World War. We studied the materials of ‘Conversations about the important things’ to May 9 and information on how educational institutions will celebrate this day. Based on what we’ve read, we have prepared an outline and materials for the Anti-Lesson for May 9th to initiate a conversation about anti-militarism and the causes of war.
As stated by the Congress of Antiwar Initiatives on the one-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “We must keep resisting the regime together, support all forms of protest, change the minds of supporters of the war, help those who are in trouble because of the war and show solidarity by all means available and safe for us, let’s not be afraid to speak the truth! We urge Russians to refuse to participate in and help others to not take part in the criminal war and genocide of the Ukrainian people.†Join our mission for peace and justice for Ukraine. Visit www.mapofpeace.org today to ensure your initiative is represented.
KYIV, Ukraine, 24-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Award-winning digital marketing agency Renaissance3 is seeking nominations of exceptional initiatives that have the objective of achieving peace for Ukraine. Each project selected will receive €10,000 in funding, as well as technical and strategic support from the agency’s team of digital communications experts.
Since its 2022 launch of Campaigns for Humanity, a people-focused initiative to empower change makers promoting human rights, digital democracy, and more humane economies around the world, Renaissance3 has been steadfast in its belief that with additional support and awareness of their efforts, the legions of Russians and Ukrainians committed to defending Ukrainian sovereignty can achieve their aims.
“I think the only way I can personally help Ukraine right now is by not fighting there,†Igor, a 26-year-old IT professional from St Petersburg as he fled his home for Russia, told The Guardian. Tatayana, a doctor from Irkutsk, added as she left for Azerbaijan following reports that Russia was calling up health professionals to the front, “I believe the sooner this horrible war stops, the fewer people will die.â€
As highlighted in Renaissance3’s “24 for 24†campaign, so named in reference to the 24 change makers featured on each of the 24 days leading up to the one-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Russians who have fled the war have been using their experience and resources to support the Ukrainian people in extraordinary ways. The campaign, which was designed to illustrate how our shared humanity can allow us to overcome the forces that seek to divide us, offers a glimpse into the vast world of Russians and Ukrainians working alongside one another for freedom and human dignity.
Renaissance3 is an award-winning digital marketing agency staffed by a team of strategists, creatives, and social media experts with diverse experience across six continents and united by a shared mission to not just market, but build movements. Renaissance3 is committed to giving back by investing a portion of its annual gross profits in initiatives that move one or more of its guiding values of human rights, digital democracy, and building more humane economies forward. Learn more at Renaissance3.com.
Renaissance3’s call for nominations follows.
Funding Opportunity: Campaigns for Humanity
When we recognize our shared humanity, we are not strangers; we are simply friends who haven’t met yet.
Why: At Renaissance3, we believe hope is both the antidote to despair and a powerful motivator. At Renaissance3, we believe hope is both the antidote to despair and a powerful motivator. Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, more than twice as many Russians have fled their country as have been drafted into the army. Vladimir Putin knows that Russians who become aware of the truth will not want to kill Ukrainians, which is why he is working so feverishly to churn out propaganda and restrict the flow of accurate information inside Russia.
When Putin launched his war of aggression, the world rallied behind Ukraine: Corporations pulled out of Russia, refusing to fund Putin’s war machine; strangers welcomed those fleeing the violence into their communities and even their homes; and citizens across the globe deployed their unique talents in support of the Ukrainian people. Renaissance3 was no exception: As an agency dedicated to empowering change agents to defend human rights, fight for digital democracy, and create more humane economies, we jumped at the opportunity to make a difference by doing what we do best.
What we do: In March 2022, we launched Campaigns for Humanity as a people-focused initiative to connect and elevate a global alliance of creatives, activists, and advertisers working toward peace in Ukraine. Since then, we’ve partnered with Ukrainian creatives to counter Russian propaganda using the power of GIFs; strengthen global solidarity by calling on the world’s people to #StayWithUkraine even as the war dragged into the spring; and spotlight the many heroes born of this tragedy through our latest project, 24 for 24. Renaissance3 was recognized as one of the KYIV International Advertising Festival’s Positive Change Winners for our work for Ukraine in 2022. And while the awards we’ve received for our work feel great, we won’t set aside our keyboards until there’s peace for Ukraine.
As marketers, we understand that attention is finite and prone to waning. That’s why, as we mark one year since the invasion began, we’re committed to leveraging our skills and resources to breathe new life into the ongoing campaign for peace.
We know:
Russians are being bombarded with propaganda denying the humanity of Ukrainians. Information breeds resistance to injustice. Ordinary Russians have extraordinary power to influence the outcome of this war.
How you can help: We’re seeking nominations of organizations, projects, or individuals working to achieve peace for Ukraine that could use additional funding and marketing support to magnify the impact of their efforts. Selected nominees will receive the following:
€10,000 in funding to directly support their work to help end the war in Ukraine Technical and strategic support from our team of digital media experts to amplify the impact of the funded work
Whom to nominate: Selected nominees will be able to articulate how their work can bring peace to Ukraine and how €10,000 in new funding will meaningfully propel that work forward. Self-nominations are permitted. Nominees should be engaged in work that seeks to educate Russians and Ukrainians about ways they can help stop the war by raising awareness, encouraging action, and promoting the principle of shared humanity among all people. The work should align with one or more of the following objectives:
Save Lives: Humans fight wars; humans can also choose to not fight wars. Let Russians who have been conscripted into the army or could be in the future know they have options to resist fighting in this unjust war. (Ex: I Want To Live Hotline).
Share Truth: Counter Russian propaganda by communicating accurate information about the war to personal contacts. Ukrainians and Russians alike can leverage close relationships with family and friends to provide resources that can help them overcome Russian state influence. (Ex: Papa Believe Outreach Initiative).
Build Community: Foster relationship-building and cultural exchange between Russians and Ukrainians who have fled their countries as a result of the war and have a shared desire for peace.
Submit your nomination: Please fill out the form at campaignsforhumanity.com/call-for-submissions to submit your nomination. Renaissance3 will review nominations on a rolling basis and contact both the nominator and nominee if they are being considered for an award.
KYIV, Ukraine, 24-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Prior to February 24, 2022, the people and organizations spotlighted in digital marketing agency Renaisssance3’s latest initiative were content to be parents and children; musicians and poets; businesses and workers. The company’s newest campaign, titled “24 for 24†in reference to the 24 change makers profiled–one for each of the 24 days leading up to the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine–was conceived as a series to illustrate the power our collective humanity has to overcome the forces that seek to divide us.
In her “Diary of Lviv,†Vlada Ralko writes, “The shock of war undermines ordinary perception of reality.†But “If we are united, we will be able to defeat evil,†insists Valentyna Polovnyka of Bickerstaff, a Ukrainian creative agency featured in the campaign.
Among the stories documented in “24 for 24†are those of a German father and daughter who, determined to assist the thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the bombs, journeyed 1,000 km from their home in Frankfurt to meet refugees flowing through the Polish border; an account of thousands of creatives who banded together to fight information warfare with the stated aim of preventing World War III; and Russian independent media, many in exile, who risk their security and livelihoods to provide accurate information to those who need it most.
Renaissance3–which launched Campaigns for Humanity in March 2022 as a global alliance of creatives, activists, and advertisers working toward peace in Ukraine–is an award-winning digital marketing agency that invests a portion of its profits in initiatives aligned with its guiding values of human rights, digital democracy, and more humane economies. For its work with Campaigns for Humanity, the company was named a Positive Change Winner at the 2022 KYIV International Advertising Festival.
As part of its renewed commitment to support peace in Ukraine as the war enters its second year, Renaissance3 is also announcing €10,000 funding awards, as well as technical and strategic support from its team of digital communications experts, available for nongovernmental organizations or individuals working on projects to defend Ukrainian sovereignty. To submit a nomination, visit campaignsforhumanity.com/call-for-submissions.
BELGRADE, 8-Dec-2022 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — In the past months, we could hear various forecasts and warnings regarding the current conflict between the West and Russia, which concern a high level of misunderstanding on many issues, but mostly on the issue of Ukraine. The Ukraine conflict itself is seen by the West and Russia from diametrically opposite positions. For the West, Russia is an aggressive party that attacked the sovereign state of Ukraine. On the other hand, for Russia, Ukraine is a country under the control of the Western power centers, which are committing genocide against the Russian population. According to Russian officials, the reasons for launching a special military operation (as they call the intervention) are threats to the national security of the Russian Federation and the need to protect the Russian population, which has been under attack since 2014. So far, the collective West has not wanted to accept Moscow’s arguments, which has led to today’s situation of the highest level of political conflict between the West and Russia after the Second World War, without direct confrontation. Nevertheless, Russia believes that it is still waging war with the West, taking into account the fact that the West is arming and training the Ukrainian army, and also, according to Moscow, is encouraging aggressive behavior of Kyiv towards the Russians.
At the time of the existence of extremely destructive nuclear weapons, the very thought of a direct confrontation between the West and Russia causes fear. However, it seems that certain political structures wish for such a scenario, which is extremely unreasonable. It is clear that the president of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, believes that Ukraine’s entry into NATO would strategically change positions in the conflict. However, it is precisely the expansion of NATO towards the Russian borders, which caused a counter-reaction from Russia.
The recent case with 2 missiles falling on Polish territory – which is a member of NATO, showed the quick reaction of Poland, as well as the EU. Quite predictably, Ukrainian President Zelensky, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kuleba, and his deputy Meljnyk immediately blamed Russia without looking at the evidence, announcing that the Russian forces targeted the territory of Poland. Polish media reported on November 15 that two rockets fell not far from the border with Ukraine in the village of Przewodow and hit a tractor, killing two people. On that day, the Russian army launched over a hundred rockets into the territory of Ukraine.
The reaction of the Latvian Minister of Defense Artris Pabriks soon followed, who declared “My condolences to our Polish brothers in arms. The criminal Russian regime fired missiles that target not only Ukrainian civilians but also landed on NATO territory in Poland. Latvia fully stands with Polish friends and condemns this crimeâ€. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia made a similar statement.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation denied that Russian missiles hit Polish territory. It should be noted that all this happened before Polish military experts went to the field to investigate the case. What does that actually say? It has become common for certain political circles to blame Russia in advance, without any evidence. Premature reactions that are not based on facts in a situation where there is an armed conflict are more than risky and could have led to the full-scale World War Three breaking out. If such reactions are not based on evidence, then they are possibly based on emotions or Russophobia.
Only sixteen minutes after military experts went to the field, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland issued a statement stating that the missiles that fell on Polish territory near the border with Ukraine were of Russian production.
Nevertheless, the American president’s statement after the emergency meeting of the G7 leaders with NATO representatives in Bali a few hours later had the effect of extinguishing the fire. Joe Biden stated that preliminary data indicated that the missiles were most likely fired not by Russia and that it was necessary to wait for the results of the investigation. After that, Polish President Andrzej Duda announced that those were most likely the Ukrainian weapons landing on Polish territory. All of this speaks in favor of the theory that the Ukrainian leadership is striving to draw NATO into conflict with Russia, or at least individual NATO member-states, such as Poland, Latvia, or Croatia, which have compromised themselves with baseless accusations against Russia.
The main question here would be “is there still a perspective for Ukraine to join NATO�
Vladimir Zelensky said just a few days ago: “De facto, we have already made our way into NATO, De facto, we have proven compatibility with alliance standards. De facto. Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure. … under a procedure consistent with our significance for the protection of our entire community, under an accelerated procedure.â€
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg later declared that Ukraine has the right to join NATO. However, this would mean that Ukraine would bring a war conflict as a dowry to the Alliance:
Stoltenberg said the decision on Ukraine’s possible membership was up to NATO’s 30 member states, but he reiterated that in the meantime, the alliance would continue to support Ukraine because “inaction is a greater risk†to European security“.
There is no question that Ukraine would benefit from NATO’s defining credo, which, as mentioned in Article 5, says that “an armed attack†against any member is considered an attack against them all. But, as an alliance predicated on the doctrine of mutual defense, it would be highly unlikely to admit a country ensnared in war.
These words do not sound too encouraging for Zelenskyi’s NATO ambitions, and in my opinion, they signal the end of Ukraine’s NATO perspective.
In addition, we should add media reports that the stockpiles of weapons in Western countries, including the USA, have reached a critically low level due to deliveries to Kyiv, as well as statements by US military officials that there are no great prospects for an imminent military victory for Ukraine, proposing negotiations as a way to resolve the conflict. If nothing else, Ukraine might learn from the lesson with Poland that displaying Russophobia can backfire. Moreover, some officials have already claimed that the false statements and calls for escalation make Zelevnsky lose credibility. According to the Financial Times, A NATO official in response told the paper: “This is getting ridiculous. The Ukrainians are destroying [our] confidence in them. Nobody is blaming Ukraine and they are openly lying. This is more destructive than the missile.â€
JUNEAU, Alaska, 2020-Oct-13 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — What started out as a way to get his daily 10,000 steps, a local man hopes in the long run will change the course of dialog in America.
For 12 years during the cruise season, Robert Steinke has been coming to the Port in Juneau to greet cruise customers and welcome them aboard humpback whale watching excursions. With the pandemic in full swing, he still feels drawn to the Port and would visit frequently – focusing on his daily 10,000 step goal rather than greeting customers. These walks allowed for releasing some built up pandemic energy and passing the time listening to a little talk radio or podcasts.
It was during one of these daily walks while listening to various podcast’s that Robert was struck with an idea. “Sometimes on these call-in shows, things can get a bit heated,†stated Steinke, “then, one of the callers said ‘Why can’t we just bring back civility?’ I couldn’t get that thought out of my mind, I went to bed that night thinking about the idea of civility and how important that concept is to a democracy.†From that day at the Port, Steinke was inspired to help spread the idea of bringing back civility.
After chatting with his wife and doing some research, Steinke decided the best way to change the tone was for individuals to publicly share the concept of civility – almost brand themselves with the idea of ‘be civil’. So, Steinke launched the website BringBackCivility.com where individuals can brand themselves with the ideal of being civil to each other.
“We don’t have to agree on everything, or even anything, to be civil to each other. Being civil is really a choice,†stated Steinke. “This is just a simple way to remind ourselves and others to be kind and be civil to each other.†Since the launch of the website, the most popular items have been face masks and hats. Both come in a variety of colors and designs to suit everyone. “I like the face masks, they make a few different statements when you wear one,†stated Steinke.
The site will be up at least until the end of the year. Most gear will be shipped in 3-7 days and can be shipped worldwide. The company is also taking bulk orders from shops that are interested in carrying the line.
AMERSFOORT, The Netherlands, Apr-02-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — WIth this high level conference, we would like to present to Europe and European decision makers, politicians and media the Official Delegation of the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria (DFNS) The Delegation is headed by the Co-President of the Federation, Mr. Sanahrib Barsom.
The DFNS was founded on the principles of gender equality, ethnic and religious tolerance, sustainable ecology, and self-defence. Currently, the region is home to over 4.5 million residents, but this number consistently increases due to the ongoing arrival of (an estimated 250.000) refugees from newly liberated territory. The territory it comprises is about 30% of Syria which means about the size of Belgium. This governing body of the de facto “autonomous region†is not widely known. the military branch which is under controll of the DFNS is more known : Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which are the main ground forces for the Coalition against ISIS/Daesh, which obviously is more than the Kurdish alone.
This high-level conference presents international speakers on this very important topic and will also have important representatives of the DFNS, form Syria itself. The first session will describe the structure of the Federation and how to “kill the mentality†of ISIS/Daesh and create the possibility for “European†refugees to return safely to the Federation area. The second session will discuss the issues of security, reconstruction and reconciliation in Northern Syria. The rest of the (closed / invitations only) conference on the 10th and 11th of April will consist of round table meetings.
Information & registration
Date: 10 April 2018 9:30 – 12:45
Location:Â European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles, Belgium; Room PHS1A002
Registration:Â For Journalists / media with press registration/accreditation free access. Other press / media staff can send an email to info@sallux.eu
This event is hosted by MEP Branislav Skripek (Slovakia ECR / president ECPM).
Los Angeles, CA, Sep-7-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — Sporting a doctorate on her resume, a well-spoken, opinionated candidate has emerged in the 2020 run for president. With Donald Trump having opened the door to public figures attaining the highest office, DeVille has announced her intention to run for President. She’s enlisted Coolio to serve as Vice-President due to his rise from poverty to a gangster’s paradise, and having toured every state in this land, and dozens of countries throughout the world speaking to people along the way – together they know how to fix America.
DeVille announces her presidential bid during a 7+ minute press conference which introduces her team as she recounts her views for change. Coolio is introduced as the presidential hopeful’s running mate and is a strong proponent for universal healthcare, hoping to roll out CoolioCare to the masses.
Chere DeVille speaks eloquently on the broken promises of the current administration and goes so far as to touch on the travel ban, healthcare as well as the disastrous situation that Trump has left the world in with the United State’s withdrawal from the Paris Accord.
International models @Khloe and @MissKennedyS bring the millennial vote along with substantial experience from travelling the world and speaking to the people. Summers, is also a third year med student who has very real concepts on how to improve the healthcare system and will work closely with the Vice President on CoolioCare. Canadian born Khloe Terae hopes to cozy up with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in her role as head of Foreign Relations.
Former WWE legend Virgil is the man behind the woman. The former bodyguard for the Million Dollar Man will reprise his role on a much grander scale. Virgil has been pegged with being the personal bodyguard for the Presidential hopeful, along with being head of security. Having broken breadsticks at Olive Garden with Donald Trump, Virgil has keen insight in the current administration, and can help transition when Cherie DeVille captures the White House.
New York, NY, 2016-Dec-31 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — As the Iraq War’s official end on December 18, 2011 marks its fifth anniversary, many questions remain on its fallouts. New York’s French-American community is one of them, as it remembers its blacklisting when France opted out of attacking Iraq.
Choosing diplomatic pressure rather than “shock and awe†ignited fury for many in New York. The call for anti-French boycotts resonated in tabloids as pictures of New Yorkers spilling wines in gutters vied with accusations of an ally’s betrayal and cowardice. Information can be found by googling “New York’s French boycotts and Iraq,†and “Freedom fries.â€
“Targeted were all manner of French-American businesses, from Air France to bakeries, as rosters of marked companies circulated widely. Earliest felled were restaurants, whose sales plummeted by as much as half. Like dominoes, they closed their doors, dismissing their workers. Called by many the “consulate’s darkest hour,†it went on for weeks, interminable months, and still resonates today.â€
“As layoffs mounted,†Dr. Sunnen added, “so did their mental health consequences, from all manner of stress reactions to self-destructive depressions. And workers suddenly out of work could not find employment because no one would take them. The consulate’s social services department work load soared to levels never attained before.â€
Faced with this onslaught, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) was repeatedly contacted to lend the community its medical and mental health assistance. In addition, New York state and city top officials were insistently asked to add their voice to call off the boycotts. All appeals remained unanswered and, for reasons of non-assistance and abandonment of responsibility, this matter was eventually reported and filed in New York and Federal courts.
Dr. Sunnen, who also cites his experience as a Vietnam-era U.S. veteran, concludes, “history needs constant reckoning, otherwise it can remain a fable. These events are now brought to light so that long-term allies can better understand the meaning of their relationship.â€
KIEV, 08-Nov-2016 — /EPR GOVERNMENT NEWS/ — “Giornalisti contro la corruzzione e illegittimità †– un gruppo di giornalisti-investigatori Ucraini – ha comunicato dei documenti compromettenti che si sono trovati a loro disposizione e confermano la collaborazione della compagnia europea Flame SA con La Repubblica Popolare di Donetsk (RPD) – organizzazione a riconoscimento limitato che ha preso la territoria al Est d’Ucraina sotto suo controllo.
Praticamente, questo è il diritto finanziameno degli guerriglieri. In mezzo a tali “sponsor†– la sopracennata miniera “Jdanivska†che a sua volta riceveva i soldi dalla europea Flame SA.
Tra le altre cose, il sito web della Flame SA è inaccessibile, per questo non risulta possibile avere dei commeti ufficiali della compagnia su quest’affare.
Il Servizio di Sicurezza d’Ucraina (SSU) si è già interessato del fatto del presente contratto – per adesso solo nella parte di rinvio a giudizio penale del direttore della miniera “Jdanivskaâ€, il signore Ruslan Dubovskiy. È accusato di esecuzione delle operazioni illegali d’esportazione con Flame SA e una serie di altre compagnie allo scopo di “fininziamento del terrorismo†(clausola 258-5, parte 1 del Codice Criminale d’Ucraina). Al presente, l’indagine del SSU su quest’affare continua.
Ma non è l’unico “buco†della compagnia Flame SA. Secondo i dati dei giornalisti ucraini, la compagnia in violazione delle sanzioni internazionali ha dei rapporti commerciali con un’altra miniera – “Zarechnayaâ€, che si trova nella Federazione Russa. Questa miniera è l’attivo della compagnia “Uralvagonzavod†che a sua volta sta nella lista delle compagnie sottomesse alle sanzioni degli Stati Uniti e Unione Europea.
Flame SA e le sue filiali F-Chem SA e Brando International sono situati allo stesso indirizzo in Svizzera. L’attività principale della compagnia è la ricerca e consegna del carbone energetico, coke di petrolio e coke mettallurgico. Flame SA esercita commercio in tutto il mondo, il suo capitale impiegabile è 1 milione di franchi svizzeri. E non è una sorpresa, considerando i volumi degli acquisti e il profitto ricevuto.
Peaceful restoration of our freedoms and justice for all is what all of us want. Over two hundred years ago when we fought against tyranny for our independence, many lives were lost, some of those were innocent people but in that instance it was necessary, today we hope that our govenrmnet comes to it’s senses and realizes that they can’t and mustn’t favor one class of people over others and justice should be doled out equally to all if a law has been broken-we must not just tolerate crime and look the other way for certain people.
Turn off the TV, don’t let them divert your attention any longer, wake up because your freedoms are slowly and surely being stripped from you. It won’t be long before they knock on the door to your home, they tell you to surrender your guns and issue a decree that you are no longer authorized to protest in any way against the government. This will also include postings online, speech and that your opinions and dissent must be kept to yourself or you will be imprisoned for inciting violence against the government or should I say, the monarchy.
The banks and the government created this financial mess but the citizens, taxpayers and homeowners have had to take the brunt of it and it’s now weighing so much on our shoulders that we can’t tolerate in any further. Stop the insanity now, these people have the misconception that they are Gods, perfect in every way and they put it across to all of us in an arrogant and belittling way. All of us deserve better, we deserve a media that reports the truth, not what the government authorizes or we aren’t any better than Venezuela, where Hugo Chaves controls the media in every way and tries to keep the people uninformed and preoccupied with news and reports of a mundane nature so no one will catch on that he’s fattening his vault just as the leaders of all of the countries in the Middle East that have fallen already to the uprising of the people. If you recall when you read the bible last that Jesus only got angry with one group of people-they were the moneychangers and he cast them out, this is what we must do without hesitation.
The people of this country fought the second World War and defeated two dictatorships that wanted to control the world, but the U.S. men and women of that generation got the job done, everyone worked together, over 20 million men joined the armed forces, while the women took their places in the factories and that’s how it’s done. A peaceful resolution is what we all want but we must leave all options on the table as the government and the banks have already bought the police and they will be utilizing the returning troops to stand guard over all of us but we have hopes that they would not shoot us down like dogs as they may be killing their own loved ones, friends and co-workers at the behest of the real animals that are threatening the values, democracy and economic structure of this country.
If we are going to restore the freedoms and stop the fraudulent bankers from pilfering and betting on our economy and threatening our futures than we deserve what we get, otherwise, let’s get together and demand a stop to his treachery and debauchery orchestrated and implemented by Washington D.C. and Wall Street elitists. Their plan is simple, financial destruction of the multitudes.
Justice for all, no exceptions and If the bankers commit fraud, they must be treated as any other citizen no matter what, including prison sentences if the crime is serious enough to warrant it.
A group of Christian pastors presented an outline of Bible prophesies to the U.N. relating to the proposal to recognise Palestine this month and the dangerous consequences to the nations. As reported by The Washington Post and The Associated Press in a news release dated Wednesday, August 31, 2011, Israel is resigned to the U.N. General Assembly’s endorsement of a planned Palestinian bid for admission as a state to the United Nations in late September.
Conservative Christians are virtually unanimous in their support for Israel. In mid-August, Yahoo News news.yahoo.com reported that Bible-believing pastors were in New York City to warn U.N. officials concerning the Palestinian’s admission to the United Nations. The group informed officials of the Bible’s strong warnings against dividing the land of Israel. One member of the delegation was quoted as saying“There’s a Jew on the throne of heaven and Israel is his land.â€
They have repeated their warnings of the Bible’s declaration of the true owner of the land of Israel and the predicted consequences to the Nations that are involved in dividing Israel. A summation of their beliefs is as follows:
1. God’s ownership of the entire land of Israel is absolute and His conveyance of the land to the Jewish people disallows U.N. authority over Israel.
• God said of Israel, “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine…†Leviticus 25:23
• God gave it, “To Israel for an everlasting covenant, saying, unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance†“And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.†Genesis 17:8
2. Granting nation status to the Palestinians defies God’s declaration of ownership and will lead to the following judgments:
• God said that all nations would collectively divide the land of Israel and that the people and nations involved would be judged severely. They used the following Bible verses to support their case: Zechariah 12:3 “…I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.†Joel 3:2 states: “I will also gather all nations …and will plead with them…for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.â€
• The Bible also teaches that subsequent to dividing the land of Israel, God will bring the following types of catastrophes and judgments which are revealed in the Prophets and the New Testament:
• Worldwide financial collapse
• Worldwide weather disasters and extreme heat waves
• The greatest earthquake of all time leading to the cities falling
• Worldwide famine with plagues and pestilence
• Armageddon
“For the LORD shall rise up …he shall be wroth…Now therefore be ye not mockers…: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.†Isaiah 28:21-22
Some have asked how a loving and merciful God could seek to destroy the nations for coming against Israel. The answer they state is that they have rejected The Lord Jesus Christ, referred to in the Bible as the King of the Jews and the ruler of heaven and earth.
• “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.†Matthew 28:18
• “The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.†Psalms 110:5-6
Several U.N. staff members agreed that the Bible teaches that Jesus, who paid for the sins of the world with His blood, will return and reign over the whole earth. The delegation quoted the following Biblical verses in the context of Jesus’ offer of mercy and imminent worldwide reign: “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up…to worship the King, the LORD of hosts…†Zechariah 14:16
Those who recognize their personal sin and ask Jesus for salvation will escape the world-wide judgements. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness…†Mark 7:21-22
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.†Romans 10:13.
Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT), a non-for-profit dedicated to enhancing quality-of-life issues between Mexico and the United States, congratulates the Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for their vote to confirm Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor as this nation’s first Latina Supreme Court Justice.
“We are pleased to see how this process finally focused on the issues and the qualifications of this exceptional candidate. We have full confidence that the Senate will do the same and that our next Supreme Court Justice will be Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor. This is an extraordinary moment for us as Americans and an unforgettable day as Latinos,†said MATT Chair Alonso Ancira.
The San Antonio-based organization counts with over 300,000 on-line members throughout the country. “Of note to our members is the political courage demonstrated today on behalf of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who voted in favor of Sotomayor. We congratulate him for voting his conscience and not along party lines,†concludes Ancira.
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Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT) was established to serve as the voice of reason influencing policy to improve U.S./Mexico relations. MATT’s mission is to encourage Mexicans and Americans to come together to bridge the gaps of understanding so that we may truly prosper together. MATT has been a vocal advocate for comprehensive immigration solutions, offering innovative public policy solutions, raising public awareness and visiting with policy-makers since 2006. MATT is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of business and thought leaders from the U.S. and Mexico. For more information about MATT.org, visit www.matt.org or call 210-270-0300.
EPR Government News is a new blog, part of EPR Network, that is going to be focused on and will be covering the Government news and stories from press releases published on EPR Network.
EPR Network (EPR stands for express press release) is one of the nation’s largest press release distribution networks on Web. The EPR’s nationwide network includes 12 State based PR sites, one major PR forum and a number of industry specific PR blogs and what started as a hobby on Internet years ago turned out to be a rapidly growing business today. EPR Network is also known as one of the most trusted (human optimized, published, edited and monitored, spam/scam/low quality PR content free) PR sites on the web with more than 10,000 company and individual press releases distributed per month. EPR Network is putting your press releases on top of all major search engines’ results and is reaching thousands of individuals, companies, PR specialists, media professionals, bloggers and journalists every day.
EPR Network has thousands of clients around the world including global 500 corporations like Hilton Hotels, Barclays Bank, AXA Insurance, Tesco UK, eBay/Skype, Emirates, just to name a few. The network’s PR web sites are currently reaching from 150,000 to sometimes 500,000 unique visitors per month while our viral reach could possibly go to as much as 1M people per month through our presence across various social media sites. EPR Network was established in 2004 and as of May 2008 it had more than 800,000 press releases (pages) published on its network.