I've seen numerous media accounts commemorating a year of conflict in Ukraine after Vladimir Putin's February 22, 2022 invasion. The war in Ukraine actually started in February of 2014. That's when Russia seized Crimea.
Putin invaded as a result of Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity. in which the country returned to its 2004 Constitution and removed a pro-Russian President. Protesters wanted an end to government corruption and Russian oligarchs.
In 2014, Ukraine was totally unprepared for the Crimean takeover. Its military melted.
Things were different last year. The military was certainly better, but what astonished me most was the resilience shown by the Ukrainian people, who greeted invading Russians with molotov cocktails instead instead of bouquets. The US offered to fly President Volodymyr Zelensky out of the country. "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride, said Zelensky, a former comedian who turned out to be a statesman while statesmen all too often look like clowns.
Ukraine has the help of 50 nations who understand that it's in everyone's strategic and security interests to have a stable, prosperous and free Europe and a free world.
Ukaraine also has bipartisan support from the United States. Yes, there are a few isolationists on the left and right, juts as there were before WWI and WWII.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made his resolve clear last weekend at a security conference in Munich. "Republican leaders are committed to a strong trans-Atlantic alliance. We are committed to helping Ukraine. Not because of vague moral arguments or abstractions like the so-called ‘rules-based international order.’ But rather, because America’s own core national interests are at stake. Because our security is interlinked and our economies are intertwined."
After a stealthy and gutsy 10-hour train ride, President Joe Biden spoke on the streets of Kyiv: "One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands."
What do the Russians do?
Lie and die.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made this pledge after taking over Crimea: "We have absolutely no intention of — or interest in — crossing Ukraine's borders." This was a lie.
According to Forbes, it's possible that as many as 270,000 Russians have been killed or wounded in Ukraine. But if you call it a war, you're next.
35 comments:
Putins illnesses for power has indeed weakend Russia by diminishing their weapon stockpile, loss of a generation of military fighters, financial hardship, and eventually a weakened dictator. Yes, costly financially, but better to defend democracy on foreign soil than our own. True Patriots defend democracy. Dictator apologist are quick to concede to Putin. If Russia succeeds, China will be embolden to do the same. Now is not the time to "cut and run".
No more war. We'll fix the economy by throwing Biden out. If you love Ukraine so much, pack your shit and go fight for those neo nazis or send your kids in your stead. In the interim, you're automatically disqualified from complaining about any needy Americans while sending our money to foment WW3. Thanks.
Wonderful repetition of the administrations talking points, all the spin will not save Ukraine or possibly the rest of the world.
Not our circus... not our monkeys...
We shouldn't be there! Enough with the wars!
Half a million Americans sleep on our streets every night but instead we give our money away to one of the most corrupt countries on earth for a yet another pointless war. A trillion dollars in Afghanistan... for what? The Chinese just sit back and laugh at how stupid we are.
All I have to say is that Biden showed up in Ukraine, in the middle of a war, via a train and slapped Putins penis by warning him if he tries anything stupid, they’ll be consequences.
Now that’s ALPHA!
Don’t conservatives like Alphas??
If "Putin's invasion of Ukraine began in 2014" then would you say the "non-lethal security assistance" Obama/Biden sent which included blankets was not a good idea? Left wing source from late 2014
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/09/18/ukraine-poroshenko-speaks-to-congress/15819211/
"If "Putin's invasion of Ukraine began in 2014" then would you say the "non-lethal security assistance" Obama/Biden sent which included blankets was not a good idea? "
Absolutely. Obama foreign policy was terrible. Hard to believe, but Trump was worse. Biden, who chaired Foreign Relations, has us in the right direction, despite his botched withdrawal in Afghanistan.
As a Democrat I generally liked the Obama years but believed he made a mistake not assisting Ukraine and was more interested in his legacy. He should have kept the U.S.'s earlier promise of protecting Ukraine from invasion if they gave up their nukes. If we do not stand by our promises we may end up standing alone.
Blows my mind that people love Trump so much that whatever Biden does is immediately dismissed and derided as wrong.
The United States is not the only country on Earth. We work with, cooperate with, do business with many other countries, that have direct impacts on our own wealth and security.
Allowing Russia to bully another country in Europe does nobody any good in the long run.
Pull your MAGA hat out of your ass and understand what reality is.
I don't think Biden is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but jeezuz some people here have such a crush on Trump its embarrassing. I can't imagine loving a guy like they do.
"Wonderful repetition of the administrations talking points, all the spin will not save Ukraine or possibly the rest of the world."
These are not the administration's talking points. These are American talking points and reflect the views of the country, from Biden to McConnell. They reflect the views of 50 nations. The isolationism espoused by both right-wing and left-wing isolationists is both short-sighted and, frankly, unpatriotic.
Absolutely. Obama foreign policy was terrible. Hard to believe, but Trump was worse. Biden, who chaired Foreign Relations, has us in the right direction, despite his botched withdrawal in Afghanistan.
Putting your TDS aside and 10 minutes for me to stop laughing what was worse about Trumps foreign policy? Last time I checked we had 4 years of no new wars, Killed ISIS leader, took out ISIS, more money for NATO 100 BILLION which you should like, peace deals that involved Israel, moved the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem which Bien/Obama wanted to do but didn't, New trade deal of USMCA. That's in 3 years because of COVID. Funny how you say Biden has us on the right direction but people that dealt with him feel he has been wrong on nearly every foreign policy for 40yrs. Left wing receipt below
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/01/robert-gates-thinks-joe-biden-hasnt-stopped-being-wrong-40-years/356785/
The "receipt" you offer is a bit frayed, given that it's 10 years old.
When it comes to foreign policy, Trump was perhaps the worst President in the history of this country. He reneged on international agreements. He withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the INF Treaty, the UNHRC and UNESCO, and the Paris Agreement. He alienated NATO. We stopped keeping our word under his Presidency. He imposed a xenophobic travel ban on Muslim countries. He mistakenly entered into a deal with the Taliban to withdraw from Afghanistan by 2021. He engaged in brinksmanship with allies. He disparaged our military. He was derided by our allies, who openly laughed when he told the UN that he had done more in two years than any other administration. He got into a shouting match with the Australian PM almost immediately after taking office. He made us the laughing stock of the world. Putin viewed Trump as someone he could manipulate with flattery, and he did.
Also I hate to break it to you, but we are not fighting in any new wars under Biden, wither. Biden blew the withdrawal from Afghanistan, which is something Trump should never have agreed to do. Other than that, his foreign policy has been spot on. He has listened to the state department, instead of removing ambassadors on the advice of Rudy Giuliani. He did not put Jared Kuchner in charge of the Middle East. He has repaired relations with NATO and the EU, which are now more united than ever. He has persuaded Germany to devote more of its GDP to military.
His withdrawal from AFGHANISTAN was a colossal blunder. Other than that, his foreign policy has probably been the best thing about his presidency.
You like to accuse everyone of TDS who fails to drop down on his knees and worship at the altar of Trump. You should look in a mirror. Charlie Dent, in huis farewell to Congress, warned us against the three-headed monster of isolationism, protectionism and nativism. These are not the qualities of a great nation.
We were not a great nation under Trump's Foreign Policy.
With all due respect, in Afgahnistan,Trump negotiate the release of 5,000 Taliban and drew US troops down to less than 2,500 and promised a withdrawal date. The first time I beleived Trump was when he stated he forced Bidens hands on a withdrawal. Our troops were in a precarious position.
Listening to Trump and Fynn over the last year, Putin had the green light to do what he wanted to do.
The "receipt" you offer is a bit frayed, given that it's 10 years old.
How about right before the election in 2019 when Gates said he still stands by it? Video and real clear politics receipts below. Need more? Also, Travel ban countries were initially picked by the Obama/Biden administration per CNN. were they Xenophobic for picking those specific countries? Surely you will blog about it. I found that is a 30 second google search.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytvw6IKsvLE
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/05/13/gates_stands_by_statement_that_biden_has_been_wrong_on_nearly_every_major_foreign_policy_question.html
https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/29/politics/how-the-trump-administration-chose-the-7-countries/index.html
Your TDS is creating blind spots that keep you from doing your job well. Its a good thing you are just a blogger and not an actual journalist.
As Biden himself said back in October..."the risk of nuclear Armageddon is the highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis." Imagine thinking this is a foreign policy accomplishment.
It amazes me that progressives are now pro-war and support big corporate pharma. Progressives who vehemently opposed the Vietnam War, War in Iraq or War in Afghanistan now demand that the war in Ukraine not end until Russia is wiped off the face of the earth. Progressives who once occupied Wall Street due to corporate greed now crucify and want to silence those who question the vaccine and big pharma's intentions.
I remember a time when the republicans were the only ones warmongers and protected corporate America. Things really have come full circle.
Yes 2014 practice run . Now- standoff between top military officers and founder of the Wagner Group . Mr Prigozhin and Commander in Chief of Russian forces are at odds. Wagner Group was fighting with Russians with their convicts let out prison. This New surge from Russian Army had given western intelligence a look at the poor training and counting scores of military vehicles wreckage during larger scale mechanized assaults. In one year the Russians have lost an estimated 200,000 casualties,dead or wounded. Russians don’t publish the count by the way . But older equipment is showing up in the Ukrainian, estimated 2,000 tanks, half of Russian operating fleet are eradicated. China standing with hands in pockets over equipment ,they are holding off anything major for EU related trade and related geopolitical reasons.
Re: 12:34
Thank you for your credible response to an irrational critic.
Meanwhile, our troops are going to Taiwan. Keep your eye on the war starters. The Military Industrial Complex needs to be fed and that requires a war or two. This is our first Woke War. It won't be the last.
PS: Please pretend I have a Ukrainian flag in my profile, for maximum virtue signaling. Also, fuck homeless veterans. Let 'em go to Ukraine and chase down some US dollars.
" Also, Travel ban countries were initially picked by the Obama/Biden administration per CNN"
This is false. Obama signed a law in 2015 that did not impose a ban on travel from countries that provided safe havens from terrorism, but did require a visa. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2017/feb/07/reince-priebus/were-7-nations-identified-donald-trumps-travel-ban/
I found a rebuttal to your right-wing propaganda in 10 seconds.
"It amazes me that progressives are now pro-war and support big corporate pharma."
This has zero to do with being pro-war and everything to do with our own national security and the principles of democracy. You can root for Putin like Tucker Carlson and be unpatriotic. That is your right in a free country. But you are being unpatriotic.
"Your TDS is creating blind spots that keep you from doing your job well. Its a good thing you are just a blogger and not an actual journalist."
Given the right wing hatred of everything you disagree with as fake news, I suppose that's a good thing. But even a bottom-feeding blogger like myself, who signs my name, has more credibility than an anonymous coward like you.
I just received and rejected a comment claiming Ukraine is not a democracy. You right wing lunatics really need to stop listening to Tucker Carlson. Whenever his lies are calle, he claims he's entertainment.
Tucker Carlson is a liar.
Ukraine is a flawed democracy as is just about every democratic form of government. Its president is directly elected, making that even more democratic than the US. The legislature has proportional representation and single seat constituencies, much like the US. Zelensky was elected in 2019 in a free and fair election.
About 10 pro-Russian political parties have been suspended bc the country is at war and under martial law, much like the US suspended writ of habeas corpus in the Civil War and violated due process during WWII.
Ukraine has a free press, but much like the US, is influence by its owners and state funding.
It does have a corruption problem, but much of that will go away with Russia.
Your TDS is creating blind spots that keep you from doing your job well. Its a good thing you are just a blogger and not an actual journalist.
Much of the positive change has occurred after Zelensky's election. That's the guy Trump tried to blackmail.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/24/tucker-carlson-says-ukraine-is-not-democracy-here-are-facts/
https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/how-zelensky-has-changed-ukraine/
I’m concerned that Russian war crimes and crimes against humanity will never be prosecuted (other than in absentia) unless Ukraine and the 50 some countries who support Ukraine effect the unconditional surrender of Russia a la Germany at the end of WWII. I’m also concerned that we are not getting the truthful story about Ukrainian successes/defeats and Russian defeats/decimation. Remember the lies that were spun about Vietnam, Generals who told LBJ what he wanted to hear—that we were winning? Do you know that 26 million Russians were killed in WWII? Over half were civilians. So far, we’ve heard that Russia has suffered 200,000 casualties (not deaths). If past is prologue, does Russian have the capacity to outlast Western resolve? I’m also curious about how much of Ukraine is affected by the war. If Ukraine is approximately 700 miles across, are Ukrainians who live, work, and go to school still going if they are so far away, more than the distance between Cape May and Pittsburg (400 miles) or Cape May and Cleveland (500 miles) or 30 miles less than going from Allentown to Chicago (740 miles). My point? Why haven’t we been shown Ukrainians going about their normal day in locations remote from the front? If Cape May and Rehoboth Beach were under attack, would people in Pittsburgh or Cleveland really care or be affected by it? I’m appalled by Russia targeting civilians, hospitals, churches and schools. But when the war started, wasn’t there a call for all adult male Ukrainians, i.e., civilians, to take up arms against Russia? My point is that we’re not getting the complete story or the context vis-Ã -vis other historical wars. That’s all.
Anon 3:03 what do you mean by “fuck homeless veterans?” Some of us were unable to adjust. . I lived in shit holes in my live. I said once to General Mattis,you should have a program for former 03s to relieve the new kids a day in combat zones for sleep and food eats! He replied “ I’m am an old Marine “. Some guys just never got a chance to stand up and or work discernible occupations . Veterans that are still alive are only about 4% of our population. Somebody called me now and says “we need a rifle guy for 60 days ! “ yup at 70 I’d pack my ruck . What do I have to loose? Point is you kill me off at 70 I lost 7 years , you kill off a 20 year old you lost a family and 60 years of life.
Peter, I'd go with you. An old rifleman and an old red leg.
Joe Holko,
Whatever we read is going to be slanted. That's why I like tri numerous international news sites as well as Telegraph to piece together a picture. I particularly like DW News. For factual information on the war itself. I recommend ISW, which has near daily updates and an interactive map.
You ask why we have not seen pics of Ukrainians going about normal lives in areas remote from the front. I don't believe there is such an area. Kyiv is not the front and is regularly bombarded. Whether it is Lviv in the west or Kyiv in the center, it has all been the front. Those areas have been subjected to numerous bombardments and drone attacks hitting schools, hospitals, apartment buildings. The evidence here is very clear and comes from both sides.
Ukrainians do not release casualty figures, but I am certain the cost in human lives is high. I believe there may still be about 4 million refugees.
Will crimes against humanity ever be prosecuted? I won't hold my breath.
sad, to see the disinformation and propaganda, it will not matter, Russia will not be defeated and the present warmongers in our government will be embarrassed.
Unpatriotic for thinking there was and is a better way to resolve the dispute without thousands of Ukrainian people losing their lives and millions becoming refugees and losing everything they own. Unpatriotic for not wanting to be “the closest we’ve been to nuclear Armageddon since the Cuban Missile Crisis.” The goal moving from protecting Ukraines sovereignty to removal of Putin and complete overthrow of the Russian government sounds like a solid plan. Once we’re done with that you’ll probably think we should overthrow Xi next because it’ll be about national security when they invade Taiwan in response to our increased military presence there. I am sure that plan will end well and you still won’t be pro-war and I’ll still be “unpatriotic” to think we should be attempting to de-escalate to save innocent lives. Invading Iraq was about national security too because of those pesky WMDs. I’d probably be “unpatriotic” for thinking destroying that country based on a lie was a bad idea too. You truly are delusional.
The truth hurts. Your opposition to the Ukrainians and your desire to assist Putin in his return to the USSR is both unpatriotic and anti-American. You could cower in your basement and fret about WWIII and lie about American intentions, as you do in this comment, or you can recognize that Ukrainians are fighting for freedom so we don't have to. No one has suggested the complete overthrow of Russia. This is about Ukraine. We let Putin go when he attacked Georgia in 2007. We let him go when he attacked Ukraine in 2014. He now is attempting to overthrow another democratic nation in violation of he UN Charter. He is undermining our national security and global security. Next is Moldova. We are not sending troops, we are allowing Ukrainians to fight for themselves. If we allow a Russian takeover in Ukraine, we are signaling Xi Jin Peng that the front door is open in Taiwan. He has been sending numerous flights into Taiwan airspace. He is building military bases on islands in the west Pacific. He wants control of the seas despite all the trade we have flowing through those waters. And he wants Taiwan and its semiconductor industry. The vast force we are sending to Taiwan consists of about 200 troops, and they will be there to train the Taiwanese. We also happen to have a defense treaty with Taiwan. We did not start any aggression against China or Russia. We are acting in the best American tradition by helping nations who are our trading partners and want to remain democratic. You are anti-American and unpatriotic. See, patriotism is a bit more than those rallies in which you dress up in camouflage and prance around with M-16s.
I refuse to host comments from Putin's puppets. I seek reliable news sources, not apologists for the murder of schoolchildren.
Let Russia have the donbas region and crimea and let the war end. It was basically Russian territory before the United States and the west supported a coup to overthrow Yanukovych in 2013. Billions of dollars and thousands of lives lost to make few rich.
"Let Russia have the donbas region and crimea and let the war end. It was basically Russian territory before the United States and the west supported a coup to overthrow Yanukovych in 2013. Billions of dollars and thousands of lives lost to make few rich."
That's horseshit. Crimea was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954 and became part of Ukraine. This is why Putin hated Krucshev. This has nothing to do with Putin bootlicker Yanukovych. who was legally removed from office by Parliament in 2014 bc of his widespread corruption. He ran off to Russia.
The people of Donbas voted in a 1991 referendum for independence from Russia and became part of the USSR. The closer you get to Russia, the more dangerous it has been to speak Ukrainian.
I'd support an independent referendum in both Crimea and the Donbas, supervised by the UN and not Russia, to allow thepeople to decide for themselves after all Russian troops withdraw and a UN buffer force is inserted to ensure a free and fair election.
Let the people decide. But do it fairly and honestly.
I may be mistaken Peter but I think he was being sarcastic. At least I hope so.
I have mixed feelings about Ukraine I guess. I think we should be helping, but we are giving an awful lot of money and aid. Accountability is all I ask given Ukrainian corruption history. As far as the US not “having anyone there” I am quite sure we have CIA and SEAL/DELTA guys there doing intelligence and training work. I just hope we don’t get sucked in to something we regret.
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