Turkish Forum

Category: Eastern Europe

  • Ukraine’s another Church dissent is on edge

    Ukraine’s another Church dissent is on edge

    Zelensky
    Photo credit: press-office of Vladimir Zelensky

    The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for pressure by the authorities. Its followers hoped to end persecution with the new Ukrainian President coming to power. Yet, Zelensky who stayed away from the Church affairs during the first months of his presidential term is taking on the course on further Church dissent started by the former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

    Back in 2019, 49 parliamentarians requested from the Constitutional Court of Ukraine to cancel the controversial draft law “On renaming the Ukrainian Orthodox Church”. This religious organization was obliged to change its name to “Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine” in order to indicate that it was allegedly “governed by an aggressor country”.

    This bill was passed two years ago. The document was part of a larger strategic plan by President Petro Poroshenko to create an “independent church.” He won the support of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and then gathered the dissenters together, promising them the role of the leading religious group in the country. This explains why the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has become so powerful.

    But the majority of Ukrainians, followers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, did not want to join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, so the government organized persecutions against them and the canonical church. Moreover, it legalized the takeover of its temples widely known in the world.

    In October 2020, Volodymyr Zelensky with his spouse made a visit to Istanbul to hold a meeting with Bartholomew I of Constantinople. The Ukrainian President made it clear that the Ukrainian authorities will support further expansion of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The reaction of dissenters was swift: they announced a new wave of temple seizure making everyone believe that the power was again on their side. The courage that Ukraine has not seen since Poroshenko’s days in the office.

    According to local Ukrainian experts, Bartholomew, who officially calls himself a peacemaker of all Christian world is in fact supporting the religious dissent in Ukraine.

    The Ukrainian authorities, who claimed that the index of religious freedom in the country is equal to the one in Belgium (according to Andrei Yurash, the head of the Religion Division of the Ministry of Culture, this indicator was 3,2 in February, 2021, that points to the high level of religious tolerance), are also fueling the national protests in the country with their hypocritical and at times irrational policy.

  • Taliban confirms it received no fundings from Russia

    Taliban confirms it received no fundings from Russia

    tass afghan
    FILE – In this Nov. 30, 2017 file photo, American soldiers wait on the tarmac in Logar province, Afghanistan. The U.S. is pausing movement of troops into Afghanistan and quarantining 1,500 new arrivals to country due to virus. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)

    As the Western media continues to blame Russia’s policy in Afghanistan, a never-ending information war seems to take a new round aggravating the peace process in the country.

    The leading U.S. media outlets claimed Russia was funding Taliban referring to the movement’s commanders. However, both the New York Times and Insider refused to name not only their sources but also American official spokesmen who reportedly said they had found out links between Taliban’s and Russia’s banking accounts. The outlets also claimed Russia’s financial support to Taliban was aimed at killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but no evidence and details have ever been provided.

    The claims of the Western media seem even more baseless after the interview with Qatar-based Taliban’s official spokesperson Mohammad Sohail Shahin had been released.

    Speaking to journalists covering the Russian policy in the Middle East, Shahin denied any funding from Russia. “This statement is proofless and has nothing to do with the truth. We believe such claims appear in the context of the internal political struggle in the United States and are organized by opponents of the Afghan peace process”, Mohammad Shahin said. “The main goal of these campaigns is to undermine the Afghan peace process”, he added.

    In February, 2020, Washington signed a peace deal with Taliban confirming to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan. However, a year on, the agreement’s major clauses have not come to effect. Much due to internal confrontations between the U.S. establishment and the U.S. Conservative Party. With Biden Administration taking the power and its policy focused on international intervention, the process is likely to be delayed. Yet, procrastination of the peace process in Afghanistan may lead to irreversible and tragic consequences in an already war-torn country and cause a total halt of economic and industrial development.

    Moreover, in a current situation of limited on-spot-covering due to the closed borders, independent and non-affiliated media are not able to provide an objective view of the peace process development in Afghanistan. And this is often turned into advantage by the Western mainstream media.

  • To the Turkish Parliament members

    To the Turkish Parliament members

    To the Turkish Parliament members
    Statement of the All-Tatar Public Center About political hunger strike


    The All-Tatar Public Center (VTOTs) announces the beginning of a political hunger strike on February 3, 2021, against the claim of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Tatarstan to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tatarstan on recognizing the VTOTs as an extremist organization and on the liquidation of the organization, against the trial of the VTOTs. The trial will take place on February 24.

    We believe that the trial of the oldest (founded in 1989) Tatar national organization, the All-Tatar Public Center (VTOTs), is an act of demonstrative disrespect for the Tatar people. VTOTs is the only Tatar public organization consistently defending the rights of the Tatar people. Since 1989, the VTOTs has been tirelessly fighting for the statehood of the Republic of Tatarstan, for the implementation of the state status of the Tatar language, for the strengthening of federalism in Russia, for the constitutional rights of all peoples of Russia. The VTOTs role is great in the adoption of the Declaration on State Sovereignty of Tatarstan on August 30, 1990, in holding a referendum on the state status of Tatarstan on March 21, 1992, and in the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan on November 6, 1992. It should be noted that the organization has always acted within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Constitution of the Russian Federation. VTOTs want to be recognized as an extremist organization on absolutely trumped-up charges. For example, they find extremism in the address of the VTOTs of 2017 “SAVE THE TATAR LANGUAGE!” or in the Articles of VTOTs, which was adopted in 2004.

    Recognition of the VTOTs as an extremist organization is tantamount to recognizing the Tatar people as an extremist, recognizing the extremist idea of statehood of the Republic of Tatarstan and the provisions on federalism of the Constitution of the Russian Federation (Article 5: “The federal structure of the Russian Federation is based on equality and self-determination of peoples in the Russian Federation.”), This is also a violation of the constitutional rights of citizens to public associations and freedom of thought and speech

  • Political hunger strike

    Political hunger strike

    To the Turkish Parliament members TBMM To the Turkish Parliament members Statement of the All-Tatar Public Center About political hunger strike Statement of the All-Tatar Public Center About political hunger strike

    To the Turkish Parliament members
    Statement of the All-Tatar Public Center About political hunger strike
    The All-Tatar Public Center (VTOTs) announces the beginning of a political hunger strike on February 3, 2021, against the claim of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Tatarstan to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tatarstan on recognizing the VTOTs as an extremist organization and on the liquidation of the organization, against the trial of the VTOTs. The trial will take place on February 24.
    We believe that the trial of the oldest (founded in 1989) Tatar national organization, the All-Tatar Public Center (VTOTs), is an act of demonstrative disrespect for the Tatar people. VTOTs is the only Tatar public organization consistently defending the rights of the Tatar people. Since 1989, the VTOTs has been tirelessly fighting for the statehood of the Republic of Tatarstan, for the implementation of the state status of the Tatar language, for the strengthening of federalism in Russia, for the constitutional rights of all peoples of Russia. The VTOTs role is great in the adoption of the Declaration on State Sovereignty of Tatarstan on August 30, 1990, in holding a referendum on the state status of Tatarstan on March 21, 1992, and in the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan on November 6, 1992. It should be noted that the organization has always acted within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Constitution of the Russian Federation. VTOTs want to be recognized as an extremist organization on absolutely trumped-up charges. For example, they find extremism in the address of the VTOTs of 2017 “SAVE THE TATAR LANGUAGE!” or in the Articles of VTOTs, which was adopted in 2004.

    Recognition of the VTOTs as an extremist organization is tantamount to recognizing the Tatar people as an extremist, recognizing the extremist idea of statehood of the Republic of Tatarstan and the provisions on federalism of the Constitution of the Russian Federation (Article 5: “The federal structure of the Russian Federation is based on equality and self-determination of peoples in the Russian Federation.”), This is also a violation of the constitutional rights of citizens to public associations and freedom of thought and speech.
    10.02.2021

    Presidium of the All-Tatar Public Center

    Chairman of VTOTs F.V. Zakiev

  • Russian bombers destroyed 23 Turkish tanks, 18 MLRS installations and about 50 armored personnel carriers

    Russian bombers destroyed 23 Turkish tanks, 18 MLRS installations and about 50 armored personnel carriers

    Türkçe: https://www.turkishnews.com/tr/content/2020/02/21/idlib-turk-rus-savasinin-esiginde/

    Russian bombers destroyed 23 Turkish tanks, 18 MLRS installations and about 50 armored personnel carriers

    Russian aviation destroys Turkish armored vehicles and weapons.

    Erdogan’s violation of the agreements with Moscow resulted in huge losses for Turkey in Syria. Since the beginning of last week, Turkish troops and pro-Turkish terrorists have lost almost a hundred units of armored vehicles illegally transported to Syria, and it is not Syria, but Russian military aviation that is crushing the enemy.

    According to the arguments of local and foreign news agencies, today Turkey has lost at least 23 tanks in Syria (including 4 Leopard tanks – approx. Ed.), About 50 armored personnel carriers and armored vehicles, 18 MLRS installations, more than 20 military trucks and 2 warehouses with weapons and ammunition. Attacks of Russian military aircraft were carried out mainly on the largest accumulations of equipment, and, often, armored vehicles were destroyed immediately when crossing the Turkish-Syrian border.

    The losses among the militants who have already received Turkish tanks and armored personnel carriers are by no means less impressive – about 300 terrorists died only when they attacked the convoys and locations of enemy forces.

    According to the arguments of a number of sources, Russia is actively maintaining contacts with the Turkish side, and as soon as Ankara declares that it knows nothing about the illegal crossing of the Syrian border, attacks are carried out on columns and convoys.

    Türkçe:
    IDLIB Türk-Rus savasinin esiginde 20022020

     

  • GMIS-2019 will drive the Fourth industrial revolution

    GMIS-2019 will drive the Fourth industrial revolution

    • kongress holl

    The GMIS-2019 is about to take off on July, 9. The summit is a joint venue of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Arab Emirates. Russia provides great opportunities for the development of industry and high technology. The UNIDO head Li Yong has repeatedly given positive assessments of the close cooperation of the international organization and Russia. The cooperation includes Russia’s support of participation in large-scale industrialization programs in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, which contribute to a positive image in these regions. Besides, Russia also provides industrial development and maintenance projects in Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The signing of a cooperation agreement with the Eurasian Economic Commission and the provision of platforms for the St. Petersburg International Forum and GMIS-2019 were also noted by the UNIDO head as appositive move. In addition, the approaches of Russia and UNIDO to the solution of the socio-economic problems today are very common. The summit provides an opportunity to use all the necessary potential of the participating countries to expand cooperation with each other. The geographical location of Ekaterinburg on the border of Europe and Asia contributes to the development of economic relations of European entrepreneurs with partners from China, Japan and other Asian countries. The examples of the World Cup games in 2018 and the international industrial exhibition INNOPROM emphasize the availability of infrastructure facilities in the city for hosting major international events and accommodate up to 40,000 tourists per day. The organizer of the summit is preparing an exhibition of 100 startups, which includes the most promising sectors – the drivers of growth of the world economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The willingness of international representatives to take part in the summit testifies their attitude towards Russia as a reliable trade and economic partner, which fulfills its obligations, despite US attempts to isolate Russia from the system of international relations.