I have such lovely memories of my one visit to Hungary in the early fall of 1990: being granted a private tour of the enormous, sumptuous Parliament with its columns of lapis lazuli and malachite; riding the funicular railway up to the Fisherman’s Bastion overlooking the entire city of Budapest; enjoying some of the best food I’ve ever eaten, in a small Jewish-owned restaurant tucked away in a quiet neighborhood on the Buda side of the river, and pastries at Cafe Gerbaud in the heart of the Pest side of town; cruising along the Duna (Danube) on a bright, sunny day to the artists’ enclave of Szentendre; and sitting by the window of my hotel room to watch the lights on the Lanchid (Chain Bridge) go out each night precisely at midnight.

It was a magical time in Hungary then, as it was in all of Eastern Europe, when the Communist regime was breaking apart and the Soviet Bloc nations, one by one, were regaining their independence and forming their new, democratic governments. Prime Minister Jozsef Antall was making that happen in Hungary.

That was thirty-three years ago. The Communist regime in Russia, which controlled the multi-nation Soviet Bloc, had fractured under the more liberal rule of Mikhail Gorbachev. The fifteen republics of the Soviet Union became fifteen separate, independent nations. And as the people of Russia enjoyed greater freedoms and the benefits of a burgeoning capitalist economy under Gorbachev and his successor, Boris Yeltsin, so did the rest of Eastern Europe.

That is, until 1999, when Russia — as Russia always seems to do — suffered a new plague, this one known by the name of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Sadly, science has not yet developed a preventive vaccine or a cure for this particular plague, which exhibits a unique ability to spread without actual physical contact.

During the past twenty-three years, Putin has not only tightened his grip on Russian society; he has been working tirelessly to bring the leaders of other, far-flung nations under his seemingly benevolent umbrella of protection — nations in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America . . . and, of course, Europe. He has forged alliances with other, still Communist or Communist-leaning, nations such as China, North Korea, and Cuba. And, while most of Europe continues to fight for freedom and democracy, there are exceptions: Belarus, for example, whose self-styled President, Aleksandr Lukashenko, is one of Putin’s most willing lapdogs.

And now, also Hungary — under its current Prime Minister, Viktor Orban — is leaning heavily in Putin’s direction.

And just who is this Viktor Orban, and how did he become Prime Minister of a country that has been enjoying freedom and prosperity for three decades? I’ve already commented on his background in my blog post of September 1, 2023, “Hungary: Another Wild Card?” and his transition from purported anti-Marxist-Leninist activist to right-wing admirer of Vladimir Putin — to whom he has referred as a “model on which . . . [to build] an ‘illiberal democracy’ that opposes the EU’s multi-cultural values.” I don’t even know what that’s supposed to mean: an “illiberal democracy . . . [opposing] multi-cultural values”? Isn’t that one oxymoron piled on top of another oxymoron, spoken by . . . well . . . a moron?

He has been outspoken — in an interview with Fox News and as published on X — in his belief that “We should make a deal with the Russians on the new security architecture to provide security and sovereignty for Ukraine but not membership in Nato [sic]”; that the return of Crimea to Ukraine is “totally unrealistic”; and that “the best chance for peace [is] for former US President Donald Trump to return to power and for him to end military support to Ukraine.”

And he has maintained close ties with Russia, even since its invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, repeatedly opposing sanctions against Moscow.

But that was then. What has he done for us lately? Well . . .

At the EU Council Summit in Brussels on December 14th, 2023, he abstained from the vote to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, calling EU membership for Ukraine “a bad decision.” And on December 15th, he blocked a $55 billion EU package for Ukraine. [Elsa Court, The Kyiv Independent, Dec. 21, 2023.]

Also, in his annual press conference in Budapest on December 21st, he declared that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not a war. “There was no declaration of war between the two countries. When Russia declares war then there will be war,” were his precise words. And continuing: “We should be happy that war was not declared, because then there will be general mobilization in Russia. I don’t wish this on anyone.” Instead, he described the invasion as a “military operation.” [Elsa Court, The Kyiv Independent, Dec. 21, 2023.]

Now, where have we heard that before?

Oh, yes . . . I remember now.

*. *. *

There are other issues as well, such as the EU’s withholding of funds from Hungary due to human rights violations, which Orban has called “blackmail.” And Orban’s alleged cooperation with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, another of Putin’s admirers, in their opposition to Sweden’s NATO membership.

Taken together, it all spells trouble for Hungary, for Ukraine, for the member nations of the Western alliances (NATO and the EU) . . . and for free peoples everywhere. And the next national election in Hungary isn’t until 2027. Are the people of that country awake to the dangers this man presents?

They need to be.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/29/23

Please . . . bring them home!

Brendochka
12/29/23

Today there is news about Alexei Navalny, and about the prison camp in which he is being held. That he is alive and keeping his spirits up, is the good news. The rest is . . . well, judge for yourselves.

Below is a picture of Prison Camp IK-3, known as “Polar Wolf,” located 40 miles above the Arctic Circle in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District — a frozen wasteland that once was part of Stalin’s infamous GULAG Archipelago, and now serves the same purpose for Vladimir Putin. The sign on the wall at left reads: “Sector No. 1. Strict Conditions for Serving of Sentence.” The well-dressed people in the picture are clearly officials, four of them in uniform, and not inmates. I don’t know whether the Russian Orthodox Church in the background is actually open to the prisoners . . . but it does dress the place up rather nicely for photo ops.

Thanks to Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), first-hand information on the conditions existing in the camp has been obtained from former inmates who survived sentences much shorter than Navalny’s, and gave testimony following their release. One survivor, released in 2018, told prisoners’ rights activist Olga Romanova:

“In the winter, prisoners would be hastily assembled in the courtyard in light clothing. They were held in formation and not allowed to clap or rub their hands together. They had to stand for 30 or 40 minutes without moving when it was -45 degrees Celsius or colder. If one person moved, the whole group was doused with water.”

Ms. Romanova added that in the spring, a new form of torture consisted of mosquitoes and biting flies. If an inmate moved, the whole group was again doused with water from a water cannon.

Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov spent five years in the IK-8 prison (“Polar Bear”), in the same Arctic region. He revealed:

“As soon as you cross the threshold, they let you know that you are in purgatory where you have no rights and there is no one to complain to. Beatings, humiliation, electric shocks, being kept in a cold cell naked or in wet clothes — but that is still not the worst. . . . You can be sealed in the fetal position in an iron box where you can hardly breathe and have to urinate on yourself. . . . They routinely threaten to rape you when they are bullying you.” [RFE/RL, Dec. 27, 2023.]

IK-3, Navalny’s new “home,” holds about 1,050 of Russia’s most incorrigible prisoners — serial killers, rapists, pedophiles, repeat offenders, and others convicted of the most serious crimes and serving sentences of 20 years or more . . . plus the occasional political prisoner, like Platon Lebedev, a businessman convicted of tax evasion — in the United States, a “white-collar” crime.

According to RFE/RL, there are no flights to the area during most of the year, and only limited train service. The only communication is by the normal Russian postal service, and the sender never knows whether a letter was received at the other end.

Apparently, there is a prison cell phone service, which had been working but — by the strangest of coincidences — was out of service around the time of Navalny’s arrival.

Human rights activist Sergei Davidis wrote on December 25th in a post on X, concerning the prison camps in that region: “There is no point in their existence except to make convicts suffer and to waste budgetary funds.” [RFE/RL, Dec. 27, 2023.]

And that is where they are holding this man, who has done nothing more than speak the truth.

*. *. *

Whatever prisons have been chosen for Evan Gershkovich (Lefortovo Prison, Moscow); Paul Whelan (IK-17 prison camp in Mordovia, 350 miles southeast of Moscow); Vladimir Kara-Murza (IK-6 in Omsk, Siberia); or Alsu Kurmasheva (a remand prison in Kazan, about 520 miles east of Moscow), it hardly matters — every prison in Russia is like a vision from Dante’s Seventh Circle of Hell. They must not be abandoned there.

*. *. *

Please . . . bring them home!

Brendochka
12/28/23

No sooner do I publish articles bemoaning the totally isolated situation in which Alexei Navalny now finds himself, some 40 miles above the Arctic Circle in far, far, far-away Siberia, than some wise guy (or gal) at Politico, citing an Associated Press article dated yesterday, blows me out of the water. That article begins as follows:

“Alexei Navalny resurfaces with darkly humorous comments. ‘I am your new Santa Claus,’ Navalny said in a tweet.”

Navalny said??!!! In a freakin’ tweet???!!!!!! What the hell . . . ??!!!

How is this even possible? In a place at the farthest reaches of nowhere, where inmates are kept incommunicado, how does Navalny manage to tweet? Is there even wi-fi in the Arctic Circle? Is he really at that magical place where Santa Claus lives and all things are possible?

Seriously, for the sake of my sanity, I need to know. The only possibility that occurs to me is that the tweet was actually sent — at Navalny’s instruction — by his attorney, who apparently has been permitted one visit with him since his arrival at the world’s biggest ice floe. (And by the way, that attorney deserves a medal just for making the journey!)

Am I right about that? And if not, what is the answer? Does anyone out there know, and could you please enlighten me before I go totally nuts?

In the Politico piece, Navalny is further quoted as saying that he was in a good mood following his transfer, but that the northern winter darkness is discouraging, and that: “I don’t say ‘Ho-ho-ho,’ but I do say ‘Oh-oh-oh’ when I look out of the window, where I can see night then the evening, and then the night again.”

With an attitude and a sense of humor like his, perhaps he can survive after all. One can only hope.

And wouldn’t that be the biggest “yob vas” (“up yours”) of all to Vladimir Putin!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/27/23

Welcome back, everyone. After what I hope was a happy holiday for all, and as we approach the end of a generally — how to describe it? — stressful year for the world, it is clear that the news did not take a vacation while we were opening gifts and loading up on eggnog. So let’s jump right in, shall we?

Starting with this guy . . .

As of five days ago, it seems the Russian President had missed at least two significant events, instead sending two of his favorite puppets to act and speak for him: Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Kremlin Spokesman Dmitri Peskov. Maybe he was indulging in a little holiday de-stressing at a favorite Siberian spa; even a president is entitled to some time off.

But to miss this . . .

. . . is practically unheard-of in diplomatic circles. You don’t normally send an underling — even a high-ranking one — to meet with the leader of another country, and especially if that other country is your currently most valuable strategic ally. But in really dire circumstances, of course, you might have no choice but to assign your vice-president (or prime minister) to the job, which is what was done in this case; Mikhail Mishustin traveled to China for a two-day meeting with Xi Jinping and his Premier, Li Qiang.

In Putin’s absence, Mishustin was probably the best choice for a meeting focused on strengthening trade, transport, e-commerce, and other vital issues of economic cooperation, since his background is primarily in the area of economics. And Putin had recently met with Xi, though primarily to discuss an agreement on a swap of weapons for technology.

But in light of the recent spate of rumors of Putin’s alleged illness, one wonders: where was he last week, and what was the dire circumstance that was important enough to keep him from another meeting with his BFF in China?

Hmmm . . . As with so much that happens in Russia, we’ll probably never know.

*. *. *

The second item is not so much an event as an accusation in search of a direct response.

On December 22, 2023, the Wall Street Journal published an article detailing the manner in which Yevgeny Prigozhin — then head of the Russian mercenary army known as the Wagner Group — was killed . . . and on whose orders. We know that he — along with two of his top Wagner leaders, four bodyguards, and three crew members — died in the crash of his private plane on August 23, 2023. Until now, the Kremlin has denied knowledge of any foul play, writing it off as an accident such as mechanical failure or pilot error. Or, more fancifully, that a hand grenade — presumably belonging to the Wagner Group itself — may have detonated on the plane. They have also denied that the crash had anything to do with Prigozhin’s failed attempt at a mutiny against Russia’s Defense Ministry just two months earlier. The classic Kremlin response: Deny, deny, deny.

But now, Western intelligence officials and an unnamed former Russian intelligence officer have told the Wall Street Journal that Prigozhin was indeed targeted and killed — no, assassinated — on the orders of none other than Putin’s long-time loyal friend, former head of the KGB’s successor agency the FSB, and now Secretary of Russia’s Security Council: Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev.

The informing intelligence officer presented details, specifically, that “Patrushev gave orders to his assistant in August to design an operation that would kill Prigozhin.” Further, according to Western intelligence, “A small bomb was put under the plane’s wing during a delay when safety inspectors were looking at the aircraft.”

And what has Vladimir Putin had to say about this serious accusation? Absolutely nothing. Not a single word, as far as I can determine. As has become his custom more and more frequently, what little he has to say has come from the mouth of his loyal Charlie McCarthy . . . excuse me, Dmitry Peskov . . . the Kremlin’s official spokesman (the equivalent of the U.S. White House press secretary). In this case, even Peskov said he wouldn’t comment. But then he turned right around and did just that, saying: “Lately, unfortunately, The Wall Street Journal has been very fond of producing pulp fiction.”

And Mr. Peskov appears now to have become rather fond of American movie jargon. “Pulp fiction”?? What’s next — an adaptation of Donald Trump’s favorite: “fake news”? That’s cute, Dmitry. But it won’t make us like you any better.

*. *. *

As for Nikolai Patrushev, I’ve already introduced him at some length in two earlier blog posts, both dated November 8th of this year. I suggested then that we keep an eye on him, and I am now more convinced than ever that I was right. He is considered by some to be on the short list of possible successors to Putin in the event . . . oh, I dare not say it! Heeding my own frequently-offered advice, I must be careful what I wish for. Because as bad as U.S.-Russian relations are now, they can — though it may be difficult to believe — become even worse.

In Russia, there is always something worse.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/27/23

Alexei Navalny. Paul Whelan. Evan Gershkovich. Vladimir Kara-Murza. Alsu Kurmasheva. And all the other political prisoners in the vast archipelago of Russian prisons and camps who must not be forgotten.

*. *. *

Following are pictures from Prison Camp IK-28, Arkhangelsk Region,“only” about 781 miles north of Moscow. But obviously still cold enough and isolated enough to freeze an inmate’s significant body parts . . . not to mention his soul.

These photographs are allowed to be published because this is supposedly one of Russia’s “better” camps.

Now imagine life — such as it is — for Navalny: 2,000 miles farther east in Prison Camp IK-3, some 40 miles above the Arctic Circle, and known to be one of the worst and most brutal of all of Russia’s penal outposts.

Imagine him completely at the mercy of the elements and the vicious prison guards, as well as the majority of his fellow inmates who are not political prisoners, but violent criminals and terrorists.

Imagine him being completely cut off from family and friends — no visitors, no phone, no mail, no word at all from the outside world.

Now imagine him facing this life for the duration of a sentence of 30 years. Could even the strongest, healthiest, most courageous person survive for long?

Can Navalny?

We must not forget . . . he does not belong there . . . he must be brought home.

Brendochka
12/27/23

Yes, Alexei Navalny has been found. But if Vladimir Putin thinks that’s the end of it, he couldn’t be more wrong. Because Navalny’s supporters need assurances that he is alive and well. And we need to bring him — and all the other political prisoners — back home. So today begins my series of daily reminders that they’re still being held hostage, and that they must not be forgotten.

My words, by themselves, may not carry much weight; but perhaps they’ll inspire others to join in and make a bigger noise.

These people do not belong in Russian prisons.

They are innocent, by all normal legal and humane standards.

They need — and deserve — our help and support.

These are just a few; there are estimated to be hundreds, both Russians and foreigners, being held for nothing more than openly expressing their opposition to the Putin regime and/or to the invasion of Ukraine. WE MUST NEVER FORGET ABOUT THEM!

President Biden, are you listening? Secretary Blinken, do you hear me? Human rights leaders from the UN, NATO, the EU, I’m speaking to you too. Bill Browder, where are you? I know all of you continue to work behind the scenes. Please . . . don’t ever let up.

Not just sayin’ now . . . pleading!

Brendochka
12/26/23

No, I’m not sure what it represents either. In fact, its history is rather hazy, with several possibilities being proffered as to its origin. But they all seem to have something to do with the giving of gifts to the poor in olden days, and it’s very popular in the United Kingdom, so it sounds altogether like a pretty good thing. Let’s just go with that.

Of course, it’s also the day after Christmas — something with which we are all too familiar. So maybe Boxing Day’s more contemporary connotation could have to do with all those empty boxes we now have to dispose of.

Yup, that sounds about right. Lots of boxes to recycle, and a half-eaten roast turkey, ham, or — in our house — prime rib to finish off. We’ve had enough of hearing “White Christmas” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” and we’ve watched Jimmy Stewart being saved by the whole town from financial ruin for the 100th time. And since most of us have either taken or been given another day off from work, what should we do with these leisure hours?

Well, for starters, we could clean up that mess of wrapping paper and ribbon. But after that?

The toys — for both kids and grown-ups — have already been wrestled out of their packaging, assembled, charged or given batteries, and played with. And the jewelry has most certainly been ooh-ed and aah-ed over. But there are probably clothes to try on (and return for a smaller size or less-bilious color — when will your mother-in-law learn?), kitchen appliances to find room for, and gift cards to spend. And, most likely, yet another warm, cuddly throw blanket to snuggle up with on those cold January and February nights, that turns out to be something you can’t have enough of because the dogs love them too and they’re constantly in the laundry pile.

Finally, as the day wears down and nighttime approaches, we drag out the carcass of that turkey (or ham, or roast beef) and start making sandwiches for a light dinner because after yesterday we’ll never eat another big meal . . . at least until New Year’s. Then, plunking ourselves down in front of the new giant TV (this year’s big gift to the family, from the family), we declare how relieved we are that we don’t have to do it again for another twelve months.

*. *. *

But before we can completely relax, there are the plans to be made for the New Year’s Eve party, and shopping for that perfect outfit because none of the clothes in our closet fit after all of the fourth-quarter Bacchanalian gorging we’ve taken part in: the Halloween candy, the Thanksgiving feast, and the half dozen Christmas parties. And those gift cards will come in handy for the champagne and hors d’oeuvres and party decorations we have to order. So it looks like another busy week ahead . . .

Happy post-Christmas week, one and all! And looking forward to sliding right into the next celebration.

Brendochka
12/26/23

On only the second day of what was intended to be my countdown to the actual discovery of Alexei Navalny’s location, his whereabouts have been revealed by Russian authorities. And there is good news, and . . . as usual from that source . . . bad news.

The very good news is that he is alive. Having feared the worst for the past 18 days, his family, friends, and supporters all over the world are now breathing a sigh of relief — but a tentative one.

Because the bad news — the very bad news — is that he is now being held in Russian penal colony IK-3, located 40 miles above the Arctic Circle in the settlement of Kharp in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, some 2,000 miles north/northeast of Moscow. Popularly referred to as “Polar Wolf” due to its harsh conditions, both natural and man-made, it appears to be as isolated a spot as the authorities could find for Putin’s principal political opponent. If you really want to shut someone up . . . where better than a Siberian former GULAG camp?

Understandably, I haven’t been able to find any photographs of “Polar Wolf,” but here is an aerial view of IK-2, presumably a similar camp, but located in the Vladimir region, just a couple of hours east of Moscow and thus much more amenable to sustaining life. Now try to picture it — probably older and more dilapidated — buried in snow, surrounded by hundreds of miles of . . . nothing. And that’s how I envision IK-3.

Navalny’s new “home” was once an outpost of the notorious GULAG system of Stalin’s reign, and is considered a “special regime” — the harshest still maintained in Putin’s time. Ivan Zhdanov, director of Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation, has described it as “one of the northernmost and most remote colonies. The conditions there are harsh, with a special regime in the permafrost zone. It is very difficult to get there, and there are no letter delivery systems.” [Katharina Krebs and Christian Edwards, CNN, Dec. 25, 2023.]

Navalny’s team warn that “he had been in poor health before his disappearance after being ‘deprived of food’ and ‘kept in a punishment cell without ventilation.’” [CNN, Dec. 25, 2023.] But apparently those abysmal conditions weren’t sufficient to kill him, so the Kremlin had to search for worse. And in Russia, there’s always something worse.

*. *. *

In 2020, Navalny survived an attempt on his life when he was poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent not available to the general public. He was treated and his life saved in Germany, where the substance was identified. Upon returning to Moscow in January of 2021, he was immediately arrested and imprisoned. Even before then, in December of 2020 — while denying the Russian government’s involvement in Navalny’s poisoning — Vladimir Putin had said that, “if the Russian security services had wanted to kill Navalny, they ‘would have finished’ the job.” [CNN, Dec. 25, 2023.] Nice.

Considering what they’ve continued to do to him since then, it seems that “finishing the job” is precisely what they are now aiming for . . . but without actually putting a bullet in the back of his head. After all, that would rob them of deniability or justification.

Perhaps I should now begin a countdown to Alexei Navalny’s release from prison. But given the Kremlin’s refusal even to consider any vaguely humane action in connection with any of its numerous political prisoners, that countdown could go on for a very, very, very long time. I only hope to see a happy ending to Navalny’s story — and the others — in my own lifetime.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/25/23

It’s another writing-free day for me. We’ll be up early, still in our pajamas, opening gifts and trying to keep the fur babies from getting into everything. Then breakfast, maybe a little nap and one or two Christmas movies before the big holiday dinner. Same old traditions every year . . . and I wouldn’t change them for anything.

I hope your Christmas is full of family and friends and traditions as well, whatever those traditions may be. And wherever in the world you are today, I wish you peace and prosperity, health and happiness . . . now and in the coming year.

Merry Christmas,
Brendochka
12/25/23