Buckminster
Well-Known Member
With Biden and Netanyahu at loggerheads, likelihood of Ukraine funding has gone up fairly significantly. What did Zelensky say to Biden last week to get this result?
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Russia/Ukraine conflict
- Thread starter amolina
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SwedishAdvocate
Active Member
As of ~today Ben Hodges also expects that significantly more US Military Aid to UKR will pass Congress. At 16:14 in the vid below:
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Buckminster
Well-Known Member
Buckminster
Well-Known Member
X Fan
Active Member
sigh...that's awful.
If this comes to pass, just reinforces the notion that USA always loses interest....just need to wait them out. This Administration has fumbled this conflict with late deliveries of needed weaponry, etc.
EU will need to step up if they want to keep the Bear from their door.
Top US Senate Republican McConnell says Ukraine aid deal 'practically impossible' before Christmas.
WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday it would be "practically impossible" for Congress to pass a supplemental funding package containing aid for Ukraine before Christmas, even if a deal were struck in coming days.
McConnell told reporters that a deal on legislation to aid Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific will not happen unless President Joe Biden is fully engaged with Senate Republicans in talks aimed at including provisions to restrict migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Reuters News Service
Count me optimistic on Ukrainian funding coming through in the next few weeks. Feels like a lot of political theatrical smoke and think Team D will ultimately agree to significant border concessions of Team R. 
The current administration has to deal with a minority of the other party wanting Putin to win. Sadly those traitors have the power.
adiggs
Well-Known Member
Though there are a few topics where I've found interesting and useful starting points on zerohedge, it's a rag that goes way, way down on my list of sites to trust or believe.
Admittedly that starts with how closely they follow Tesla, and Musk, and how hard they work to skew everything negatively. Trying to start a whisper campaign isn't something that would surprise me about them.
How big is the Russian economy compared to the combined economies of the EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan etc?
The Ukraine has many backers and they are good at using the resources they have efficiently.
We can also hope that sanity returns to the US, they sort out the petty politics, get switched on, and see that being a reliable ally is an essential requirement for maintaining their relevance and heading off future conflicts.
Allegedly:
"Military intelligence hacks Russian tax authorities
by Elsa Court andThe Kyiv Independent news deskDecember 12, 2023 4:56 PM2 min read
Ukrainian cyber units hacked into thousands of servers of Russia's tax system, extracting sensitive information before destroying the tax database, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on Dec. 12. [...]
According to HUR, defense ministry and military intelligence cyber units hacked into the central server of the Federal Tax Service, as well as 2,300 regional servers in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea, infecting them with malware.
The entire database of the tax system was destroyed, as well as backup copies, HUR said. Intelligence suggests that "Russia will not be able to fully resuscitate its tax system." [My u.]
The Russian IT company Office.ed-it.ru, which operated a database of the Federal Tax Service, was also a victim of a similar attack.
The hacks resulted in the "complete destruction of the infrastructure of one of the main state bodies" of Russia and revealed a multitude of tax data, which is now in the hands of Ukraine, HUR said.
HUR did not specify the exact date of the hack but said that Russia has "been unsuccessfully trying to restore the work of the Russian tax authorities for the fourth day in a row."
Experts estimate that the Federal Tax Service will not be functional for "at least a month." [..."
Military intelligence hacks Russian tax authorities
Ukrainian cyber units hacked into thousands of servers of Russia's tax system, extracting sensitive information before destroying the tax database, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on Dec. 12.kyivindependent.com
Brilliant. My partner thinks the banking system should be next.
A majority in Congress is in favor of supporting Ukraine. But the Speaker of the House can play blocker for all bills. Johnson wants to see all support for Ukraine to go away, so he's coming up with every excuse he can to stop it. There is a way around it, but it requires a petition to bring a bill to the House floor signed by a majority of members. It would take a few Republicans to sign with the Democrats and it's political suicide for any Republican to be seen working with Democrats in any way right now. Even for necessary things.
Telegraph article suggesting Biden wants UKR to hold back on winter OPS and just be defensive:
Biden says failure to pass Kyiv aid bill will be ‘Christmas gift’ for Putin
Ukraine’s leader meets members of Congress in last-ditch attempt to convince hesitant Republicans to back $61bn package of military aidwww.telegraph.co.uk
btw: if Biden wants to fund UKR then he should cut a deal with the Republicans and agree to more border controls (which the USA needs anyway)
Biden's ask of $106 billion back in October included $10 billion for border security. The Republicans are running on the meme that Biden has "wide open borders" (which is completely untrue), so they don't want to give him anything that would allow improvement of the border situation. The problem is a refugee problem, supplanting the former problem of people trying to sneak into the US for economic reasons. NAFTA has improved the economy in Mexico to a point where most Mexicans don't want to emigrate to the US for economic reasons anymore. The bulk of people coming to the US cross the border and immediately turn themselves in so they can claim asylum.
I think the majority of asylum seekers are still from Central America, but there are increasing refugees from other countries including Africans who got to South or Central America then made their way north. In the last year there has been a sharp increase in Russians seeking asylum.
The border is a problem, but the nature of the problem is different than the political rhetoric and I'm not optimistic that the two parties are going to come to any agreement because one party is just playing politics rather than actually trying to solve problems.
About 1/15. Timothy Snyder pointed out that the EU and the UK together have the economic capacity to keep supporting Ukraine without doing any damage to their own economies, but they don't have the large collections of idle equipment the US has. Ukraine is far better off with lots of US assistance, but it isn't dead in the water without it either.
“Burden is on the Biden administration to explain” to congress why we should support Ukraine? Those against funding Ukraine know exactly what they’re doing.
Biden might as well call Putin and Urban “explain” why they should resign.
navguy12
Active Member
Republicans helping Russia by denying Ukraine aid, Biden says
US president announces emergency $200m in aid after Congress continues to deny Volodymyr Zelenskiy
www.theguardian.com
X Fan
Active Member
"
Spoken through a political lens.....closing the border is the solution & which the current Administration has failed to properly administer. US cities are being overrun by folks coming unbridled through the border (I am a 1st gen Immigrant & my family entered legally).
Closing the border, like literally blocking all crossing has some serious downsides. Mexico is a huge trading partner. We have labor shortages in a lot of industries that immigration both legal and illegal help to alleviate.
Most illegal immigrants aren't actually Mexicans. They just pass through Mexico. A more effective move to curb illegal immigration would be to work with Mexico to secure their southern border.
Most illegal immigrants aren't actually Mexicans. They just pass through Mexico. A more effective move to curb illegal immigration would be to work with Mexico to secure their southern border.
Putin's guy in the House.
I'd be fine with a little mild McCarthyism...
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
Was going to say the same thing, we have a ton of plants in Mexico that supply the US and even Tesla is planning to open one there. It's simply not viable to close the border, even though this idea was brought up before (especially under the prior administration). To bring it back on topic, it's unfortunate this issue has to be tied to funding Ukraine.
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IMHO, plenty big enough to fund effective bribes, buy politicians, elections and votes for a party, devoid of morals and for sale to the highest bidder, in an increasingly poorly educated 'Murican populace (home non-schooled by marginally educated right wing Christian Nationalist parents paid for with home-schooling funding), as we doze off in all the oblivion of a snake gnawed on by hungry Mice.
And if not, the Chinese are even more competent and are standing by with resources ready to help.
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SwedishAdvocate
Active Member
Opinion piece from the Swedish Prime Minister's Office signed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir.
www.government.se
As Russia’s war of aggression continues we need to double down on our commitment to long-term political, financial, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine.
This is a critical time for Ukraine, for Europe, and for global security. Lessening support to Ukraine now is not an option. On the contrary, now is the time to harness support and stick to our plans for how we will help Ukraine be successful in the war, rebuild the country, and defend itself in the long run.
Russia is eager to exploit divisions. We must continue to stand united against Russia’s illegal and immoral war just as we have done since the invasion. Otherwise we risk a world with less freedom and less security for decades, if not generations, to come.
As the war approaches its two-year mark, we must reaffirm our support to Ukraine. We should continue to contribute to Ukraine’s long-term security, bolster short-term civilian humanitarian aid as well as the reconstruction efforts, and support their pursuit of a just peace.
Ukraine cannot defend itself against Russia with only words. The war is not won without weapons. For Ukraine to be able to defend its territory and secure its internationally recognized borders, we the Nordic countries will continue to provide comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, including economic and military support, immediate humanitarian aid for civilians and financial support to aid in the reconstruction of Ukrainian society when conditions allow. We need to continue to do our best deliver what Ukraine needs.
Brave Ukrainian solders are fighting every day. Their fight for freedom is our fight as well. Ukraine’s freedom is inextricably linked to ours.
How we act in supporting Ukraine is being closely monitored. Our message must be that we cannot let them down. We must show that our beliefs in human dignity, freedom, and justice are not negotiable. We will not allow an aggressor to dictate the terms of European security.
The Ukrainians fight courageously for their country’s very existence. For freedom, for democracy, and for the right to decide one’s own future. Over the last 22 months, they have inspired and impressed the world and continues to do so.
Ukraine needs our continued support, our partnership, and our solidarity more than ever. Their fight for freedom depends on our perseverance in staying the course. Our shared security depends on it as well.
Now is not the time to tire.
Ulf Kristersson
Prime Minister of Sweden
Jonas Gahr Støre
Prime Minister of Norway
Sauli Niinistö
President of Finland
Mette Frederiksen
Prime Minister of Denmark
Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Prime Minister of Iceland
"Now is not the time to tire"
Opinion piece of 13 December 2023 by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, President Sauli Niinistö, Prime Minister Mett...
"Now is not the time to tire"
Published 13 December 2023As Russia’s war of aggression continues we need to double down on our commitment to long-term political, financial, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine.
This is a critical time for Ukraine, for Europe, and for global security. Lessening support to Ukraine now is not an option. On the contrary, now is the time to harness support and stick to our plans for how we will help Ukraine be successful in the war, rebuild the country, and defend itself in the long run.
Russia is eager to exploit divisions. We must continue to stand united against Russia’s illegal and immoral war just as we have done since the invasion. Otherwise we risk a world with less freedom and less security for decades, if not generations, to come.
As the war approaches its two-year mark, we must reaffirm our support to Ukraine. We should continue to contribute to Ukraine’s long-term security, bolster short-term civilian humanitarian aid as well as the reconstruction efforts, and support their pursuit of a just peace.
Ukraine cannot defend itself against Russia with only words. The war is not won without weapons. For Ukraine to be able to defend its territory and secure its internationally recognized borders, we the Nordic countries will continue to provide comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, including economic and military support, immediate humanitarian aid for civilians and financial support to aid in the reconstruction of Ukrainian society when conditions allow. We need to continue to do our best deliver what Ukraine needs.
Brave Ukrainian solders are fighting every day. Their fight for freedom is our fight as well. Ukraine’s freedom is inextricably linked to ours.
How we act in supporting Ukraine is being closely monitored. Our message must be that we cannot let them down. We must show that our beliefs in human dignity, freedom, and justice are not negotiable. We will not allow an aggressor to dictate the terms of European security.
The Ukrainians fight courageously for their country’s very existence. For freedom, for democracy, and for the right to decide one’s own future. Over the last 22 months, they have inspired and impressed the world and continues to do so.
Ukraine needs our continued support, our partnership, and our solidarity more than ever. Their fight for freedom depends on our perseverance in staying the course. Our shared security depends on it as well.
Now is not the time to tire.
Ulf Kristersson
Prime Minister of Sweden
Jonas Gahr Støre
Prime Minister of Norway
Sauli Niinistö
President of Finland
Mette Frederiksen
Prime Minister of Denmark
Katrín Jakobsdóttir
Prime Minister of Iceland
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