Dear CCI Friends,

Jack Matlock was diplomatically engaged with the Soviet Union from the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, through his tenure as advisor to Ronald Reagan during the negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachov to end the Cold War and including his position as US Ambassador to the USSR as that geopolitical entity dissolved itself.

Please listen to his interview with Glenn Diesen closely.  In it he explains in close detail the Soviet and the Russian Federation’s relationship with Ukraine.  It is a detailed view from the inside that we never, ever see depicted in the  superficial mainstream coverage of the tragedy in Ukraine.

From the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Conflict in Ukraine

“It was Russia who led the breakup of the Soviet Union.”

Please share your views.

Sincerely,
The Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends,

The media, mainstream and alternative, is awash in predictions on the outcome of the disaster in Ukraine;  either Russia or Ukraine is definitely losing, or winning, depending on your preferred source.  The author we are sharing with you this week has an entirely different perspective:  “There  is no functional way to end the war in Ukraine.  Only a popular uprising against the globalist leaders in Europe and their proxy in Ukraine will do.”

It’s a startling idea but one that must resonate with many who have been observing the conflict – and the various opinions,  propaganda and spin on the conflict – for the past four years.  

Ian Proud had a twenty-four career in the British Foreign Office including five years in Moscow, 2014-2015, when relations between Russia and the UK took a sharp dive.  It is important to consider his view, that NATO and the EU, are the major impediments to peace in Ukraine.  Please consider, and also please consider how we take his advice and put citizen diplomacy to work now.  Waiting for the conflict to end is no longer an option.

For Europe, Peace in Ukraine Would Be A Catastrophic Defeat

By Ian Proud

“But the simple truth is this, the only way to end the war in Ukraine is to get rid of Zelensky and the globalist elites in London, Berlin, Brussels and Paris.

There is simply no other functional way to make it end, on the basis that NATO and the EU have stolen the sovereignty of their members, refuse to talk to Russia and see no interest for their citizens in peacemaking.”

There is no functional way to end the war in Ukraine

We look forward to your thoughts and recommendations.

The Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends,

For anyone with a penchant for history, the present time feels like part of an endless loop;  around and around the world goes, from century to century, war to war, the cry of “Never again!” drowned out by the next collective demand for war.  Witness the frightened, and frightening, words from Finland, Estonia, Germany, et al.  “We must go to war with Russia by no later than 2030!”

The following article by Leon Vermeulen sums up our present situation and asks the logical question:

Where Does This End?

“There is no visible European diplomatic track. No serious security conference. No neutral format. No sustained discussion between diplomats tasked with preventing the worst outcome. The language of European policy has narrowed to deterrence, punishment and Russian defeat.

If the only acceptable end-state is Russia’s capitulation, then there is no political road left except escalation.”

https://leonvermeulen.substack.com/p/one-step-closer-to-armageddon

It would be comforting if someone might assess this situation and come up with a different, possible, hopeful, realistic conclusion.  Anyone?

The Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends,

Zach Battat traveled to Russia with CCI in 2019 – the last organized group visit before first Covid and then the Special Military Operation slowed us down.  It is great to see him again and a real pleasure to share his article in the July issue of The Montreal Review  with you.  As he points out in exquisite detail, the Russophobia virus did not first infect the West (and the US in particular) in 2022, nor in 2014, not even in 1945.  To understand it, and to one day beat it back, we must deal with the root.

On reading the piece, CCI Director Charles Heberle noted:  “Reminds me of my hosting of the first Russian delegation to NATO which held so much promise only to be destroyed by the Washington establishment.  Mass psychosis as the basis for evil again.”

Please check it out, folks.  You’re in for a great read.

And thank you, Zach!

“THE LONG COLD WAR”

“The U.S.–Russia confrontation did not begin in 2014 or 2022. It is the continuation of a conflict more than a century old, shaped by mistrust, missed opportunities, and a persistent belief that security can only come at the expense of the other side.”

https://themontrealreview.com/Articles/The_Long_Cold_War.php

Charles, Krishen, and Paula
The Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Friends,

From NATO, the EU, Great Britain, the G7 (including us) and of course, from the President of Ukraine, comes a growing cacophony; more, bigger, harsher, all-encompassing war.  Escalate (to de-escalate? Who came up with that brilliant idea?), increase sanctions,  send more long-range armaments and drones to cause more pain more deeply into Russia, pressure the people to remove Putin….  It beggars belief, or it should.  Do any of the ‘leaders’ of these countries, the promoters of full-on, large-scale war between the ‘West’ and Russia have any idea what they are wishing for?  Or do they imagine war to be like a video game – something to be played at for a while then put on pause if you’re losing, go make dinner, have a glass of wine, find another distraction?

Alex Krainer knows better.  In the article below he explains vividly how people go from the comfort of believing war can’t really happen, no matter how much the news may tell them otherwise, to finding themselves fully committed with no turning back.  

Please see his description of how a population of civilized citizens turns overnight into something else entirely.  He should know; he’s been there.

“If Russia retaliated…”

“Before leaving 10 Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer authorized another large-scale attack on Russia.”

https://alexkrainer.substack.com/p/if-russia-retaliated

Ray McGovern sees the warmongering crowd in a different light – warmonger wannabees, at best.  Let’s hope he’s right.  Watch his interview with Glenn Diesen to the end for a moving recapitulation of CCI’s 2016 trip to Crimea for the 75th anniversary of the launch of Operation Barbarossa.

“Putin Under Pressure to Retaliate Against NATO…”

….but he’s smarter than that.

https://glenndiesen.substack.com/p/ray-mcgovern-putin-under-pressure

And finally, a bright note in memory of a dreadful day….

“Russia Must Not Be An Enemy!”

“There are people in Germany who remember history and disagree with the current government’s anti-Russian policies.”

“On June 22, 1941, at 3:15 a.m., Nazi Germany launched its attack on the Soviet Union on several fronts.  On Saturday, June 20th, to mark the 85th anniversary of the start of Operation Barbarossa, approximately 700 people gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin under the motto “Russia is not our enemy.” 

Best wishes to all,
The Center for Citizen Initiatives