Ukraine > Is Zelensky causing genocide within his own country?

 

One could argue that Hamas is responsible for what is mistakenly called genocide in Gaza. After all, they could stop it in a heartbeat by laying down their weapons and leaving. Israel would probably even let them go.

But if that theory is accurate, then one might also blame Zelensky for the rapid depopulation of Ukraine. He could seriously negotiate a surrender of Eastern states to Russia and then move on in life and start rebuilding. But, no, he can't bring himself to do that as if there was some possibility that he could actually win the war that he is so badly losing.

Ukraine has world’s worst demographics – EU Observer

There are about three times as many deaths as there are births in the country, data shows

FILE PHOTO. ©  Getty Images/Dmytro Varavin

Ukraine is experiencing the world’s worst demographic crisis as the military conflict, mass migration and falling birth rates drive its population to historic lows, EUobserver has reported.

The country’s population, which has been shrinking since the early 1990s, is shaped not only by the conflict with Russia but also by decades of demographic policy, Aleksandr Gladun, doctor of economics at Ukraine’s Institute for Demography and Social Studies, told the outlet on Thursday.

“If any truce is achieved, it will not be so long that it will be possible to influence demographic processes. Ukraine faces demographic challenges that no other country has ever faced,” Gladun said.

Gladun said migration has had the largest impact. Since 2022 almost 7 million people, mainly women and children, have left the country and many are expected to stay abroad if conditions allow. Eurostat estimates that 4.3 million Ukrainians now live in the EU.

READ MORE: ‘We lost several generations’ – Ukrainian MP on leaked docs

Sebastian Klusener, a researcher at the Federal Institute for Population Research in Germany, told the outlet that a peace deal might prompt some refugees to return and lead to a short-term rise in population. But he warned that in the long run, Ukraine would probably face renewed decline.

“The demographic developments of the past 35 years, and their impact on the current age structure, are likely to leave a deep and lasting mark on Ukraine’s future population trends – most likely resulting in continued population decline,” he said.

Earlier this year, exiled Ukrainian lawmaker Artyom Dmitruk accused Vladimir Zelensky of what he called an ongoing genocide. “Ukraine is being depopulated. This is not migration. This is a terrible tragedy, part of a genocide,” he said, adding that the situation was the result of Zelensky’s determination to hold on to power at any cost.

Politics in Europe > War-Monger von der Leyen in for two more non-confidence votes

 

EU chief facing new ouster attempt after ‘pro-war’ address

Two motions to censure Ursula von der Leyen have been filed following her speech to MEPs

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Paris, France, September 4, 2025. ©  Alexis Sciard / IMAGO via Global Look Press

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing two new motions of no confidence following her State of the Union address to the European Parliament this week.

The Left faction filed its censure proposal on Thursday, a day after the right-wing Patriots for Europe group submitted a separate bid. Von der Leyen survived a previous no-confidence vote in July.

Renewed efforts to remove the EU chief came after she urged stronger military support for Ukraine and proposed allowing foreign policy decisions without unanimous member-state approval – which dissenting member states, such as Hungary, view as a ploy to dismiss their objections.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who backs the no-confidence motion, views von der Leyen’s remarks as “hardcore pro-war,” according to governmental spokesman Zoltan Kovacs. In her address, “the word ‘Ukraine’ was mentioned 35 times, and threats were made to cut EU funds from anyone refusing to follow Brussels’ line,” he said on social media.

Read more

 Lukashenko accuses EU of blocking Ukraine peace deal

The Patriots’ motion argued the president “has failed on trade, abandoned transparency, and rejected accountability,” while the Left – joined by some Greens/EFA MEPs – accused her of having “sold out workers and farmers, funneled billions into arms and war, shredded climate and social protection” and being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza.

“There is a tendency within the European Commission to push things through by force” at the EU’s expense, Left co-leader Manon Aubry told Euronews. She cited a recent deal with the United States that she said “will literally reduce the EU to a Donald Trump vassal.”

During the previous attempt to unseat her, von der Leyen dismissed her critics as “conspiracy theorists” and claimed they acted on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying there was “ample proof that many are supported by our enemies and by their puppet masters in Russia or elsewhere.”

The current commission is trying to launch a multibillion-euro military expansion program across member states, arguing the EU should fund it through loans to counter the threat from Russia – an assessment Moscow calls baseless.

French Government falls on budget vote as first EU collapse due to Trump's military budget demands and the stupidity of Macron and von der Leyen

 

French government collapses

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou ousted by the National Assembly in a no-confidence vote

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou © Getty Images / Ameer Alhalbi / Contributor

The French government has fallen after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou lost a crucial confidence vote in parliament on Monday. Bayrou is the second consecutive prime minister under President Emmanuel Macron to be ousted, throwing the nation into political and economic turmoil.

A no-confidence motion in the National Assembly requires at least 288 votes to pass. Monday’s motion received 364 votes, with the left-wing New Popular Front and the right-wing National Rally uniting in opposition to end a months-long standoff over Bayrou’s austerity budget.

Having previously survived eight no-confidence motions, Bayrou called this vote himself, in a bid to secure backing for proposals that forecast almost €44 billion ($52 billion) of savings to ease France’s debt burden before the budget is presented in October.

The prime minister, who has repeatedly warned that France’s national debt poses a “mortal danger” to the country, appeared to acknowledge his fate. In a bitter remark on Sunday, Bayrou lashed out at rival parties that he said “hate each other” yet joined forces “to bring down the government.”

READ MORE: Macron’s government is collapsing. Here’s why Ukraine should worry

Bayrou is the second French prime minister in succession to be brought down following Michel Barnier’s ejection last December after just three months in office – and the sixth to serve under Macron since he was first elected in 2017.

Bayrou’s ouster reportedly leaves the French president to choose between appointing a Socialist prime minister to steer a budget through parliament, effectively ceding control of domestic policy, or call snap elections that polls suggest favour Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. With Macron’s approval ratings already hitting historic lows, either choice risks further weakening his presidency. Analysts warn that if markets lose confidence in France’s ability to rein in its deficit and mounting debt, the country could face turmoil reminiscent of the UK during the brief Liz Truss premiership.

Public discontent with Macron’s leadership has deepened, with the latest Le Figaro poll showing nearly 80% of French no longer trust the president. Thousands marched through Paris at the weekend demanding Macron’s resignation and carrying placards reading ‘Let’s stop Macron’ and ‘Frexit.’

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Trump cutting funding to train and support European troops in countries bordering Russia: report

The apparent shift has alarmed European defense leaders, who see the presence of U.S. troops and support as a key deterrent against Moscow

Josh Marcusin San Francisco

Friday 05 September 2025 00:38 BST

The Trump administration is halting what may amount to hundreds of millions of dollars in security funding to those European nations bordering Russia.

The upcoming cuts, which have not been publicly announced, come as the administration has not sought to renew European portions of what’s known as Section 333 funding and the Baltic Security Initiative, which supports nations near the Russian border like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the Financial Times reports.

“This action has been co-ordinated with European countries in line with the executive order and the president’s long-standing emphasis on ensuring Europe takes more responsibility for its own defense,” a White House official told the paper.

His timing on this announcement is awkward as the French government collapsed because of very serious budget issues. It's almost impossible for France to get it's budget in order at the best of times. The French react violently when their privileges are attacked. On top of this, Trump requires EU countries to dramatically increase military spending on the absurd presumption that Russia might attack at any moment.

President Macron played up this insane scenario, making stupid promises he cannot possibly afford, and now is being pressured to resign himself.

This is just the first EU country to be thrown into chaos by Trump's America First policy, which has utterly no regard for the rest of the world. It won't be the last. 

And he calls himself a Christian!

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Military Madness > American hegemony, and The Ghosts of Jeju

 

Deeply disturbing video that I could not stop watching. American hegemony against the spectacular costs to innocent villagers who get in the way. Focussed on Korea's treasure - Jeju Island, the film touches on other countries where simple villagers were displaced or massacred at the orders of, and sometimes at the hands of, the American military for fear of being communists.

The Ghosts of Jeju is a 2013 documentary film directed and produced by Regis Tremblay, focusing on the historical and ongoing struggles of the people of Jeju Island, South Korea, particularly in the context of the controversial Jeju Naval Base construction in Gangjeong Village. The film intertwines the island’s traumatic past with its contemporary resistance, highlighting themes of human rights, environmental destruction, and opposition to militarization. Below is a detailed overview based on available information.Overview

• Title: The Ghosts of Jeju
• Director/Producer: Regis Tremblay
• Release Year: 2013
• Runtime: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Genres: Documentary, History, War
• Country: United States, South Korea
• Language: English (with Korean, Japanese, and French subtitles; Spanish and Russian translations planned by 2015)
• IMDb Rating: 9.0/10 (based on 9 reviews)
• Synopsis: The film documents the resistance of Gangjeong Village residents against the construction of a large naval base, set against the backdrop of Jeju’s historical trauma, particularly the Jeju Uprising (1948–1954) and the atrocities committed under the U.S. Military Government of Korea post-World War II. It uses previously classified photos, films, and documents to expose these events and draws parallels to the modern struggle against U.S. and South Korean militarization

Grok:

History of the Jeju Naval Base at Gangjeong VillageOrigins and Planning (1993–2007)

• Initial Proposal: The idea for a naval base on Jeju Island was first proposed in 1993 during the presidency of Kim Young-sam, aimed at enhancing South Korea’s maritime security and protecting vital sea lanes, through which 99% of South Korean exports and all oil imports flow.
• Site Selection: During the Roh Moo-hyun presidency (2003–2008), the southwestern villages of Hwasun and Wimi were considered but faced strong local opposition, leading to their rejection. In 2007, Gangjeong Village was selected as the site. On April 26, 2007, a controversial vote involving only 87 of over 1,000 eligible voters approved the base, bypassing standard voting protocols by using applause to gauge support. This lack of transparency fueled local distrust.

Construction and Protests (2007–2016)

• Construction Beginnings: Construction started in January 2009, with a projected cost of ₩977 billion (approximately US$907 million as of 2011). The base was designed to host up to 20 military vessels, including Aegis destroyers and submarines, and to serve as a port for occasional civilian cruise ships.
• Environmental and Cultural Concerns: Gangjeong’s coastline, designated an Absolute Conservation Area (ACA) in 1991 and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2002, is ecologically sensitive, home to endangered species like the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and red-footed crab, as well as soft coral reefs. In 2009, Jeju Governor Kim Tae-hwan nullified the ACA designation, prompting criticism from environmental groups for inadequate Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). Archaeological findings from 4–2 BCE were also uncovered, raising concerns about cultural heritage violations.
• Local and International Resistance: The project sparked significant opposition from Gangjeong villagers, Jeju residents, mainland activists, and international peace organizations. Protesters, including religious groups, environmentalists, and figures like Vandana Shiva and Noam Chomsky, cited environmental degradation, the militarization of Jeju (designated an “Island of World Peace” in 2005), and fears of the base serving U.S. strategic interests against China rather than North Korea. By 2011, construction was halted seven times due to protests, which included marches, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. Over 500 arrests were reported, with allegations of police brutality and the use of hired “thugs” by construction companies.
• Legal Outcomes: In July 2012, the South Korean Supreme Court upheld the base’s construction, acknowledging flaws in the EIA but deeming them insufficient to halt the project.

Completion and Operation (2016–Present)

• Opening: The base was completed in February 2016, despite ongoing protests, and officially opened as the Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port. It houses Maritime Task Flotilla 7 (MTF-7), established in 2011, which includes Aegis destroyers, submarines, and helicopters, with no operational limits, allowing patrols as far as South Korea’s maritime interests extend (e.g., counter-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean).
• Strategic Role: The base enhances South Korea’s ability to protect sea lanes and respond to regional threats, particularly in disputes over Socotra Rock (claimed by South Korea within its exclusive economic zone) and potential aggression from North Korea. South Korean officials, including Rear Admiral Koo Ok-hyoe in 2011, emphasized deterrence against North Korea, not China, and clarified that no permanent U.S. or foreign naval presence would be allowed, though U.S. ships could visit.
• Ongoing Tensions: The base remains controversial. Critics argue it undermines Jeju’s “Island of World Peace” identity and increases the risk of the island becoming a military target. Protests continue, though on a smaller scale, with events like the 2018 International Fleet Review drawing renewed opposition due to environmental and noise concerns. The base’s dual-use design for cruise ships has been questioned for practicality.

Significance and Impact

• Strategic Importance: Located at the northern center of the First Island Chain, the base provides South Korea with a strategic hub for maritime surveillance and power projection, particularly in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea, near key Chinese cities like Shanghai. It supports South Korea’s economic security, given its reliance on maritime trade, and strengthens its naval presence amid regional tensions with China and North Korea.
• Community Impact: The base has divided Gangjeong Village, disrupting traditional lifestyles (e.g., tangerine farming and fishing) and straining community relationships. Promises of economic benefits like jobs and tourism have largely gone unfulfilled, leaving a legacy of resentment. The destruction of Gureombi Rock, a culturally significant volcanic formation, and environmental damage to the coastline remain sore points.
• Historical Context: The resistance is tied to Jeju’s history of oppression, notably the April 3 Incident (1948–1954), a massacre of over 30,000 islanders by South Korean and U.S. forces during anti-communist purges. This history amplifies local sensitivity to central government policies and militarization.

Critical Notes

• The base’s development reflects a tension between national security imperatives and local autonomy, with critics arguing that the top-down “decide-announce-defend” approach ignored democratic processes.
• While the South Korean government denies U.S. control, suspicions persist that the base aligns with U.S. strategic goals, particularly in countering China’s regional influence, given its capacity to host Aegis-equipped destroyers compatible with U.S. missile defense systems.
• The environmental and cultural costs, alongside the social division in Gangjeong, highlight the complex trade-offs of military infrastructure projects in ecologically and culturally sensitive areas.

If you meant a different location (e.g., “Gongjeong” instead of “Gangjeong”), please clarify, and I’ll investigate further. For more details or specific aspects (e.g., environmental impact, protest movements), let me know!