A negotiated peace in Ukraine

Ukraine appears to be fighting back against a superpower in a manner that few expected possible, possibly even the people of Ukraine themselves.

Yesterday, I snapped at my mother when she had talked about how a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Ukraine should take place.  Part of my annoyance is because there is to be a Stop The War meeting later this month were people are to discuss how the war should end.  Many blame NATO expansion for this war, but forget how Russia has invaded other nations before this, Russian troops continuing to occupy Transnistria (‘92), Abkhazia (‘93), South Ossetia (‘08), also the way it invaded and annexed Crimea and the conflict the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine which resulted in Russia accidentally destroying MH17.  Those in the Baltic states are nervous of Russia and have joined NATO to prevent what happened to Moldova happening to them.   

Before this war, in the build up to it, the intention of Russia to annex both Luhansk and Donetsk was discussed in a socially distanced meeting with Putin, though he denied that this was to happen, referenda into this were planned and have now been delayed.  

The irony of course is that the Stop the War meeting would be banned in Russia, Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Russian occupied Ukraine.

So my question to those who want a negotiated peace, is should this involve Russia keeping the parts of Ukraine it occupied in 2014, or should more of Ukraine be given to Russia now?  

Love Sarah and grandparents

Yesterday, we went to visit my mother and my in-laws. We have not seen them for a while so this trip was overdue. However, on Wednesday, my mother had a fall when in the street. She waited for an hour but no ambulance came, but fortunately, some kind passers by helped her and she got home. She is in pain and our visit I hope lifted her spirits, though she did make some interesting statements on the War in Ukraine (she wants negotiations to take place which in essence means negotiating for Putin to gain more Ukrainian territory) and women leaders including Liz Truss. I try not to snap, but there is only so much I can take!  While she was glad to see both children, it was my daughter who was the main attraction after her exam results.

After this, it was a trip to see my in-laws.  Again, the star of the show was my daughter as this was the first time that they have seen her since her exam results but both were still happy to see my son.  My father-in-law appears ambivalent about Leia but now accepts that she is part of the family.  

Once we got back home, my son went to spend some time alone (he had been around us for a long time) and my wife picked a film for my daughter and I to watch her with her.  This was Love Sarah.  It started off in a depressing manner, but improved afterwards.  We liked the film, though I felt that the story arc did not have to employ the romantic end which involved a cad being turned by a lady.  However, like many films set in London, it is part fairy tale, and this rose tinted view was picked up by the Guardian.  It was a nice film for use to watch, but I doubt I will ever watch it again.  Apparently it was meant to have been released in cinema's, but I am not sure if this took place over the lockdown.  What was interesting was to see a pilot from The Phantom Menace feature in it, though many will remember the person as the Vice Chancellor from Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.