Theodore's World

Switzerland joins EU sanctions on Russia, breaking neutral posture

Switzerland is ditching its deep-rooted tradition of neutrality and adopting the European Union’s sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

The move, which was announced by Swiss President Ignazio Cassis, is significant since Swiss banks include Russian oligarchs close to President Vladimir Putin among their clients.

Switzerland plans to immediately freeze the assets of Putin; his prime minister, Mikhail V. Mishustin; Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; and 367 other individuals who were personally sanctioned by the EU last week.

“Switzerland reaffirms its solidarity with Ukraine and its people; it will be delivering relief supplies for people who have fled to Poland,” the government said, renewing its offer to mediate in the dispute.

The government said it would not maintain its traditional neutrality in the face of “the unprecedented military attack by Russia on a sovereign European state.”

Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU, has also moved to shutter its airspace to Russian planes.

Lavrov was scheduled to traveled to Geneva to address the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday, but the flight ban prompted him to cancel the trip, according to the Russian mission to the UN.

Russian entities have parked an estimated $11 billion in Swiss banks, according to data from 2020, according to the New York Times.

Initially, the Swiss were reluctant to go along with European sanctions against the Kremlin for fear it would damage their reputation as a neutral arbiter of diplomatic affairs.

But fierce anti-Russian sentiment triggered by the images of Russian bombardment of Ukraine and the humanitarian disaster that followed forced the government’s hand.

“There has been no provocation which could have justified such an intervention,” Cassis said.

Before he was Ukraine’s president, Zelensky voiced Paddington Bear

As Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky seals his political legacy, his legend grows in the US and UK.

British actor Hugh Bonneville, one of the stars of the hit “Paddington” movie franchise, revealed on Sunday that Zelensky, in fact, had voiced the beloved animated bear for the Ukrainian film audience.

“Until today I had no idea who provided the voice of @paddingtonbear in Ukraine. Speaking for myself, thank you, President Zelenskiy. [sic] #PaddingtonBear,” wrote Bonneville, whose message on Twitter attracted more than 37,000 likes.

Along with his tribute Bonneville, 58, shared a Ukrainian language promotional trailer for “Paddington 2” featuring then-actor and comedian Zelensky.

“Hello to my darling friends. I, Volodymyr Zelensky, will lend my voice to the wonderful, charismatic, friendly bear Paddington,” the 44-year-old politician can be heard telling viewers in the two-minute trailer, according to a report by Variety.

“Paddington’ [is a film] you can go to see with your whole family, and everyone will enjoy it regardless of your age,” he adds. “You know you will definitely walk out of the film in a fantastic mood.”

It’s been previously revealed that the wartime leader was once the star of Ukrainian televisions series “Servant of the People,” in which an unsuspecting teacher is thrust into the seat of Ukraine’s presidency — a role that inspired Zelensky to run for office in real life.

The former comedian and actor won Ukraine’s presidential election in 2019.

The anthropomorphic bear in a raincoat was voiced by Ben Whishaw (“No Time to Die”) for English-language audiences. “Paddington” starred Bonneville, Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water”), Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent in 2014. “Paddington 2” again saw Bonneville and Hawkins lead while adding Hugh Grant and Imelda Staunton (“The Crown”) to the sequel line-up in 2017.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) speaks at CPAC 2022.

Saint Michael The Archangel and Coat of Arms of Kiev

The coat of arms of Kyiv features the Archangel Michael officially named as “Saint Michael the Archistrategos” (archistrategos, chief-general in the Ancient Greece), wielding a flaming sword and a shield on an azure field.

The supreme angel in Christian belief. Ukrainians shared many of the Christian beliefs about Saint Michael, particularly about his leading role in the struggle against Satan—hence, the name Arkhystratyh Mykhail ‘the Supreme Commander Michael.’ He was believed to have taken thunder away from Satan and handed it over to Saint Elijah. Ukrainians adopted Saint Michael as the patron saint of hunters and the city of Kyiv.

Saint Michael is an archangel, a spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil. He is considered a champion of justice, a healer of the sick, and the guardian of the Church. In art Saint Michael is depicted with a sword, a banner, or scales, and is often shown vanquishing Satan in the form of a dragon.

‘When I Found You’ was written by Jasmine Rae, Beau Golden and Sean Carey.

Ukrainian children as Ukrainian troops head to battle.

Ukrainian heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko who joined the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces and his brother, Mayor of Kyiv and former heavyweight boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko, speak with journalists during the opening of the first Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces recruitment centre in central Kyiv, Ukraine.

Feb 25 (Reuters) – Former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko said he would take up arms alongside his brother and fellow Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko to fight in what is a “bloody war” following Russia’s invasion of their country Ukraine.

Russia launched its invasion by land, air and sea on Thursday following a declaration of war by President Vladimir Putin. An estimated 100,000 people have fled as explosions and gunfire rocked major cities. Dozens have been reported killed.

Vitali Klitschko, who has been the mayor of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv since 2014, said he was ready to fight.

“I don’t have another choice, I have to do that. I’ll be fighting,” the 50-year-old, known as “Dr Ironfist” during his fighting days, told broadcaster ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

Vitali Klitschko said Kyiv was under threat and the main priority was to work with police and military forces to support critical infrastructure including the delivery of electricity, gas and water for its citizens.

He added civilians were ready to defend Kyiv as soldiers.

“I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people,” Vitali Klitschko said.

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve army earlier this month, saying that the love for his country compelled him to defend it.

“The Ukrainian people are strong. And it will remain true to itself in this terrible ordeal. A people longing for sovereignty and peace. A people who consider the Russian people their brothers,” he wrote in a post on LinkedIn on Thursday.

“It knows that they basically do not want this war. The Ukrainian people have chosen democracy.

“But: Democracy is a fragile regime. Democracy cannot defend itself; it needs the will of the citizens, the commitment of everyone. Basically, there is no democracy without democrats.”