White

My father-in-law’s orchid in front of the window revealing snow and evergreens. 

Turkey approved Sweden’s entry into NATO. Sweden’s application to join NATO is a massive, dramatic change in its defense policy and is a direct response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.  

In exchange,
- Sweden lifted arms exports restrictions to Turkey
- The US will allow Turkey to buy F-16 fighter jets

Now the only holdout is Hungary and the leader of Hungary has invited Sweden to come negotiate. Hungary has openly displayed in the EU its willingness to be bought so once the price is settled upon Sweden will join NATO. 

[My views are my own and do not represent those of my employer.]

Canada is sending another $35 million worth of military equipment to Ukraine. This includes ten rigid hull inflatable boats which the Canadian Special Forces love for commando operations. Each has a sophisticated sensor, navigation and communications system. Canada will pay for instruction in flying F-16s. 
Denmark said it would donate 19 F-16s. Belgium and Norway are providing dozens. The Netherlands will contribute 42!
It is hard to laugh at Russia’s collapsing aviation system when we have planes who lose their doors in the middle of flights or wheels that fall off right before takeoff. 
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill, who has fully backed Putin’s every war move and ridiculous comment, criticized the decision to allow for the mobilization of fathers with three or more children in Russia.
In May of last year the CIA posted video on social media to recruit Russians dissatisfied with the war or their life in Russia. Now the CIA posted a video recruiting Russian intelligence officers. 

At least two women married to Russian soldiers recently confronted a staff member at Putin’s election headquarters. They were told your husband is the only one who wants to go home, to send him home would humiliate him, and men are unique creatures who want to fight. 
Earlier this month, wives, mothers, and daughters protested by laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the Kremlin wall. 
There is a group of women demanding their husbands back who met via social media and formed a group called The Way Home. Some support the war. Some don’t. They all feel their husbands have done enough.