Hello everyone, welcome to “Current Affairs Scan” on Saturday, February 15th. I am Jin Ran. Please subscribe to our channel, support us, like, comment, and share. First of all, let me inform you that “Current Affairs Scan” is now a program that airs five days a week, not just four days. The Friday program is exclusive on another video platform, not on YouTube or television. Some topics that were briefly mentioned over here were more elaborated on yesterday, and it was quite a thrilling episode.
Today’s focus: Chernobyl nuclear power plant was attacked, Russia and Ukraine point fingers at each other; Negotiations between the United States and Ukraine reveal true intentions through expressions and body language; Wales hints at potential military action against Russia, Zelensky draws a clear red line; Li Nezha causes a stir at the Munich Summit, confusing European politicians; US Indo-Pacific Command warns that China is preparing for a military exercise to reunify Taiwan.
Amidst the chaos in the world, have you ever had a feeling that in the past, when we watched the news every day, we might be surprised or startled, but we could easily distinguish right from wrong. However, nowadays, it seems that more and more international events require us to use our brains to determine the truth and then decide what is right or wrong. Do you think the world is becoming better or more exhausting?
As the Munich Security Summit is unfolding, on Friday, Ukraine was involved in an alarming incident that shook the world when the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was bombed.
On February 14th, Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed that a Russian attack drone targeted the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, hitting the concrete shelter of the plant’s fourth reactor, commonly known as the sarcophagus, causing a fire. Let’s take a look at the video released by Zelensky showing the drone attacking the nuclear plant.
Many people are aware of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster that occurred during the Soviet era, but they might not know that the plant is located in Ukraine. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, independent Ukraine took control of the plant, which is situated about 110 kilometers north of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, near Belarus. The plant has four reactors, and the explosion that happened in 1986 was at reactor number 4, which was later covered with a “sarcophagus” made of cement to seal it. In 2016, Ukraine built a new shelter above this “sarcophagus,” which was the target of the recent drone attack.
Shortly after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war three years ago, Russian forces occupied the Chernobyl power plant but later withdrew. However, Russia denies responsibility for the recent drone attack on the Chernobyl plant, instead accusing Ukraine of a “false flag” operation aimed at gaining leverage in the ongoing Munich Summit negotiations.
It is important to note that the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the past affected not only the Soviet Union but also extended to Europe with radioactive clouds spreading thousands of kilometers, causing “acid rain” across the continent. So, will this recent attack lead to another nuclear hazard? Fortunately, the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that the drone did not damage the plant’s shielding, and local radiation levels remain normal.
While Russia denies being behind the attack on the nuclear plant, Zelensky points to a fact that Russia cannot deny: nightly attacks by Russia on Ukraine’s infrastructure and cities.
The global attention is currently on the Munich Security Summit held in Germany, with a focus on the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine. It is essential to listen to what the parties involved have to say rather than relying on fragmented narratives that can easily sway opinions in the complex web of information. Let’s hear what Vice President Wands and Zelensky have to say about their negotiations to the media.
Officials may sometimes say misleading things in public, but their facial expressions and body language often reveal the truth. It is important to pay attention to the expressions and body language of key officials from the US and Ukraine during these negotiations.
It is interesting to note that during the Munich Security Summit, Vice President Wands made a significant statement, suggesting that if Putin refuses to agree to a peace treaty ensuring Ukraine’s permanent independence, the US could impose sanctions on Moscow or even take military action. Pay attention to the last part of this statement.
In my opinion, this statement represents Trump’s bottom line with Russia during the mediation of the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. However, the extreme views expressed within the Chinese-speaking community regarding US involvement in mediating the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire are often unfounded and sensationalized.
Zelensky’s remarks emphasize the need for strategic coordination between the US and Europe to achieve a fair peace settlement and ensure that both parties are at the negotiation table. Zelensky’s reluctance to rely solely on the US for mediation is understandable as it seems he seeks to involve European allies to secure Ukraine’s interests during the ceasefire.
Zelensky also drew his “red line” during the Munich summit, stating that Ukraine will not accept Russia’s annexation of its territories and will not compromise on Ukrainian soil for the sake of peace.
This year’s Munich Security Summit seems different from previous similar conferences in terms of its candid discussions. The presence of outspoken individuals willing to address key issues has injected a unique energy into the summit, making it more engaging.
During the summit, Vice President Wands directly criticized the extreme left-wing trend in Europe, emphasizing the need to return to core values. His remarks underscore the importance of upholding fundamental values shared between the US and Europe.
Wands did not shy away from criticizing specific countries, highlighting issues with large-scale immigration and suggesting that mistakes in policy implementation could lead to disastrous consequences.
Furthermore, Defense Secretary Hagis expressed concerns about the internal threats posed by the erosions of core values within Europe, emphasizing the importance of strengthening military capabilities alongside upholding moral standards.
It is evident that discussions at the Munich Security Summit have sparked a reevaluation of policy priorities and challenges across the globe. As the world navigates complex geopolitical dynamics, it becomes increasingly critical to maintain a balance between values and practical actions to secure peace and stability.
As the summit concludes, with various leaders grappling with pressing issues, the warnings issued by the US Indo-Pacific Command regarding China’s actions near Taiwan underscore the urgency of safeguarding regional security amidst escalating tensions.
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