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On International Peace Day, Russia expands its aggression into Ukraine
Every year people around the world celebrate International Peace Day on 21 September. While this year International Peace Day was observed on the 15th of September, many countries are celebrating it today. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this day to be a moment dedicated to strengthening peace advocacy and fighting racial tension. This celebration manifests itself through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire every year.
This year International Peace Day is particularly concerning, as Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, on Wednesday September the 21st ordered Russia first mobilization of reservist forces since WW2, de facto escalating the conflict in Ukraine to a new dangerous level. This is a tragic decision and according to many geopolitical leaders the only card Mr. Putin can play given that he is losing the war against Ukraine. He is also escalating the rhetoric at home justifying this escalation as the only way to prevent a Western invasion of Russia.
The markets reactions
European and Asian stock markets corrected further on Wednesday, and investors shifted into safe-haven bonds, pushing yields on German, French and U.S. government debt down. The Russian stock market lost over 13% over the past two days as…
