Georgian pass to EU: "We don't need no thought control"

     Georgian aspire to travel to the Schengen zone without a visa will soon come true. This week the majority of the European Parliament voted for visa-free regime for Georgian citizenship. The procedure still requires some technical realizations. In case of increase of migration or asylum seekers from Georgia, EU will be able to suspend the visa-free travel. The regime is designed for travelling, visiting and business purposes trip but not working on the territory of Schengen. Ukraine is going through similar procedure of EU visa liberalization. However, the war in Eastern Ukraine brings the case on another level of consideration and procedures.  

Books that should be always accessible

             We all like different genres of literature and different authors. We read in different languages. Recently I found a very wise quote on the cover of the book written by E. M. Remarque "All Quiet on the Western Front": this book should be printed out in millions of exemplars in different languages, be read in schools and be sent to all fighting groups. Remarque was one of the few being able describe all the tragedies of war: there is no place for glory, there is only hopelessness. To my big surprise I found only one book by Remarque in the biggest book shop in Bonn. And I felt it was not right. Books of Remarque should be always present on the book shelves in Germany as all books of S. Alexievich should be accessible in all book shops in Eastern Europe and Russia. There are things in history that we cannot afford to forget.

Four-way talks in Berlin: the weight of promisses

            The one and half years ago four-way talks were focused on armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine only. Yesterday the Syrian issue was added to a meeting of the heads of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia. Apparently, the meeting was more a formal way of showing that West is interested in regulate the conflict though dialog in a peaceful way. Putin agrees on certain things, however the question is would these agreements be respected? Putin used to agree and sign documents on e.g. ceasefire anf the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine but keep destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and bombing Syrian city Allepo targeting kindergartens and hospitals. What is the cost of the word when Kremlin talks?

"I will be back"

Russian troops are not in a hurry to leave Syria. The statement that the main part of Russian
army would be withdrawn till the 20^th of March, yet does not lead to a real action. Russia troops still conduct military operations in Syria. And their presence does not seem to get smaller.           

Vladimir Putin also emphasized that despite the official statement about the withdrawal of Russian troops, the Russian air forces would be able to come back to Syria anytime, whenever it is needed.

Russia cannot be understood with the mind alone

 Russian politic is full of surprises. And sudden decisions. Just yesterday the Russian military in Syria was performing its regular duty. The statement about the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria was not foreseen by anyone. Russian started it’s military actions after the decision of Russian President on the 30^th of September 2015. That time Mr. Putin decided that Russia has to help their “brothers” in Syria and yesterday evening without any known reason he decided that was enough.

The Russian Navy based in the port of Tartus and the military airbase in Latakia will remain. 

Games of Thrones – Russian scenario

Today V. Putin announced all of a sudden that a withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria. Certainly, not entire military. The official reasons are a) objectives were accomplished b) it is according with the peace talks in Geneva. Has the objectives of the Russian military presence been accomplished? It depends what exactly were these objectives. If one of the aims was to create a migration crisis in Europe – partially it was accomplished. However, it did not bring chaos and instability in Europe. Maybe the Russian economic situation is getting worse...What was the purpose of Russian project in Syria is till a big question. However, it is over. For now.

Politics of Russia in Syrian War

Russian presence in Syria makes the situation more complicated to be resolved. By destroying civil infrastructure in Syria Russia forces  Syrians to leave their homeland and seek for an asylum elsewhere. By protecting the current Syrian ruling power of Bashar al-Assad and Alawites Russian government intends to save their army bases and influence in the region. However, this makes the huge obstacle for stabilization of the situation in the country. „There are so many parties in the Syrian war right now. There was a chance to save the country just at the beginning of the war. However, after five years I do not see how this war may be ended” – said Syrian whose family stays in Tartus, controlled by Russian army.

Meanwhile in Eastern Ukraine

 It seemed like the conflict in the Donbass, the region of the Eastern Ukraine, has been frozen for a while. However, it is just overshadowed by the dramatic events in Syria. While Russian combat robots are fighting against rebel fighters in the Latakia province, Syria, (according investigation of Bellingcat, webpage for the citizen journalists), Ukrainian diplomats alarm the violation of the Minsk agreements by the separatists to the UN Security Council. According to them, the separatists provoke Armed Force of Ukraine by shelling their positions on the demarcation line, what makes it difficult to save ceasefire.