Something stunning is happening as Ukrainians fight off their Russian invaders sent by Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainians are fiercely determined, and they've been slowing down the Russians better than expected. An NPR report from Friday night noted how "thousands" of men have enlisted to fight. While the country recently prohibited men ages 18-60 years old from leaving, it has not yet imposed a general draft. Everything you read about the Ukrainians is how much they love their homeland and are willing to defend their country's independence. It's not just Ukraine, though, where the people are telling the Russians to shove off.
Kazakstan, as NBC News' Peter Alexander reported on Friday, has denied Russia's requests for troops. This is particularly noteworthy, since the country is considered "one of Russia's closest allies and a southern neighbor." Kazakstan has also refused to recognize the self-declared independent states of Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) and the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR), which were created by Russian separatists in Ukraine.
This is important. Kazakhstan is a former Soviet state and still a vassal of Russia. Putin sent troops there this year to help the govt squash protests. Now he's getting a stiff arm 'no' from them for fighting in Ukraine. https://t.co/vYVLDtWye0
— just George (@GeorgeServed) February 26, 2022
"Kazakhstan protests" has been a Friday night Twitter trend.
Not to mention the sure to come sanctions if KZ did send troops to Ukraine would worsen an already bad economy, leading to more public frustration and Russia would not be in a place to send backup.
— Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) February 26, 2022
Plus the invasion of Ukraine makes real a concern some have had esp about northern Kazakhstan, brushed off as brash rude Putin comments in the past about lack of statehood/not really a state have been made real nowhttps://t.co/Ma3DE32I9M
— Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) February 26, 2022
Putin had sent troops to Kazakhstan just last month to help President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev quash the protests there from demonstrators protesting the country's authoritarian regime. The protests had been growing deadly, with police telling local news channels that "dozens" of protesters had been "liquidated," according to CBS News' Mary Ilyhushina.
During last month's protest, Ukrainians held rallies to support Kazakhs, as highlighted by Liz Cookman for Al Jazeera.
Even China hasn't been as helpful to Putin as one might expect.
Things are going badly for Putin. Far worse than anyone would have predicted. Not just militarily, but also politically (e.g. China, Kazakhstan), and domestically (protests).
— Thomas A. Fine ???? (@thomasafine) February 26, 2022
If there is any chance of ending this quickly, it is in NATO pressing this brief advantage.
Granted, China, did, refuse to blame Russia and instead blamed western countries for making the situation worse, including and especially the United States.
That being said, even some Chinese banks, according to Bloomberg News, are restricting financing for purchases of Russian commodities, which the Bloomberg report says is "underscoring the limits of Beijing’s pledge to maintain economic ties with one of its most important strategic partners in the face of sanctions by the U.S. and its allies."
"Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.’s offshore units stopped issuing U.S. dollar-denominated letters of credit for purchases of physical Russian commodities ready for export, two people familiar with the matter said. Yuan-denominated letters of credit are still available for some clients, subject to approvals from senior executives, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private information," the report also mentioned.
Russian citizens are also pushing back against Putin's decision to invade Ukraine, risking arrest as they take part in illegal protests.
More than 1,700 peaceful protesters have been arrested in 53 Russian cities in anti-war protests facing charges of treason.
— Anonymous TV ?? (@YourAnonTV) February 25, 2022
NATO will not save Ukraine!
Only the ordinary Russian people can save #Ukraine and #Russia together from the criminal folly of the Kremlin elite. pic.twitter.com/mNOvTqPByE
A report from Andrew Roth at The Guardian noted that 1,800 people have been arrested, but also that Russian celebrities are joining the anti-war protests as well.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had earlier in the week spoken to the Russian people in a video message, has also commended the protesters.
Overnight Zelensky delivered a message to Russians, in Russian: “To all Russian citizens who come out to protest, I want to say: we see you. It means that you heard us. It means that you have started to believe us. Fight for us. Fight against war.”
— Bianna Golodryga (@biannagolodryga) February 25, 2022