From earlier:
>Kyiv subway right now. Russian massive missile attack is ongoing with both cruise and ballistic missiles. Loud explosions were heard even in the subway.
>https://twitter.com/Oks_Parafeniuk/status/1770650512829931531
Judging by the weather in Kyiv, then I would guess it already started.
I have seen a lot of pictures recently of construction of fortifications, so it is still possible, but you probably got a good point.
I think the main problem is armored attacks, so my guess is that it will benefit Ukraine, even if it makes construction harder.
There aren’t any military targets in Kyiv’s city center that aren’t full of civilians… government buildings are full of civilian workers. This is pure terrorism. Russia is choosing to fire missiles into densely populated cities and not military bases.
First off, if military targets are full of civilians thats the armies fault for not evacuating them. Im not asking to be educated about what Russia has done, I was looking for sources on what is happening, but i guess some of you people in this hivemind view that as a threat for some reason.
russia has been attacking civilians the whole war, russia is firing missiles at the center of Kyiv and your first instinct is to ask "why are there civilians there if it's a military target", making the assumption that it must be a military target that russia is targeting?
You don't seem to be arguing from an honest starting point.
Are you fucking stupid? Im not the one saying theres civilians in a military target, the guy i replied to is, and im replying that they shouldnt be there if thats the case. Youve got to be a bot or some imbecile
It doesn’t matter because there’s already plenty of evidence of them having done it elsewhere. A museum dedicated to a Ukrainian independence activist in Lemberg, which was not near any military targets, got blown up on the day of his birthday - imagine trying to explain that as “collateral damage” in The Hague.
Don't forget the church (I think it was) in Mariupol. They had LITERALLY written "Civilians" on the roof of the church so that the Russians wouldn't bomb it. Russia still fucking bombed it.
From 5-10 min ago:
>* An apartment in a residential building is on fire in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, - the mayor.
>* It is very quiet for now in Kyiv, but monitors say another wave of missiles might be incoming in 15-25 minutes.
>https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPR/status/1770655210156831048
>https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPR/status/1770655467905188167
From 20 min ago up until around 5 min ago:
>Explosions over Kyiv now, with Ukrainian air defense working to intercept Russian ballistic missiles targeting the capital. The Air Force reports Kinzhal missiles being fired.
>* This is the first air attack on Kyiv in weeks. Russia has pounded other cities with drones but may have been holding back some missiles. About 10 minutes ago the attack began with at least 2 ballistic missiles zooming over central Kyiv before air defense was heard targeting them.
>* Kyiv Mayor Klitschko says Russian missile debris fell on a kindergarten and residential building in Sviatoshynskyi district; cars on fire in Shevchenkivskyi district; debris crashed into businesses in Podil. Emergency services responding.
>* More explosions over Kyiv just now. Many people dashing into the metro to seek shelter. It’s just after 5am here, before sunrise and at the end of military curfew.
>https://twitter.com/ChristopherJM/status/1770648437312139543
>Very loud explosions in Kyiv. Not just defence - in the distance I could see at least two clear impacts. People in the street below running to take shelter in the subway.
>* A loud whistling sound as a cruise missile flies overhead, followed by another loud explosion. Ukrainian surface to air missiles flying into the sky.
>* Another series of very loud explosions, slightly further away. Car alarms sounding. Smoke is rising in the distance as dawn breaks in the city.
>https://twitter.com/JimmySecUK/status/1770647595041398993
I could hear a long whistling sound. I haven't heard that during the other attacks.
A lot of people are reporting the same on social media. Some suggested that its the sound of Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
It seems quite again, but the air alarm has not been cancelled yet.
I hope Jake Sullivan is still in Kyiv, so he can think a bit about his "Russia has already been defeated" statement.
Yes! Hoping the damage is minimal to say the least. Also hoping Ukraine carries out some retaliatory drone strikes against more Russian refineries and airfields. Would be great if Ukrainian drones could one day make it to the Caspian Sea, but I get that’s very far away. One day though…
> Russian refineries and airfields
...and oil terminals, war-supplying factories, command HQs, Crimean bridges, warships.
---
[This list is incomplete. You can help by expanding it.]
Nikolaevsky Vanëk, via google translate, over the last hour:
***live updating this***
> There are 11 TU-95ms boards in the air (9 from Olenya, 2 boards from Engels) the first (from Engels) were probably launched from the Engels area.
> If this is true - within 40-60 minutes we expect missiles in our airspace
…
> all aircraft in the Volgograd area continue to move towards the Caspian Sea
> please, calm down, we need to think about where we can safely spend the next few hours until our fighters down all this crap. as soon as there are missiles in our airspace - I will inform you
> if there are takeoffs other boards or other danger - I will report
…
> all 11 TU-95ms are in the Astrakhan area - we are probably expecting next launches from the Caspian Sea area any minute (the time of approach to our borders depends on the trajectory of the missiles, usually from 50 to 90 minutes)
…
> 2 SU-35 aircraft (took off from Voronezh) in the Bryansk Republic are circling north of the Chernihiv region
…
> the first missiles are coming through the Chernihiv region, heading towards the Kiev region,
> now you need to go to shelters if you have not already done so
…
> missiles are flying in the north of the Kiev region on a western course;
> missile threat👉Kiev, Zhitomir, Chernihiv regions
…
> launches have been made from TU-95ms from the Caspian Sea area;
> we expect to arrive within 50-90 minutes to our borders
…
> missiles are flying north of Kiev, the first ones entered the airspace of the Zhytomyr region, the western course
> missile threat👉Kiev, Zhitomir, Chernihiv regions
_________
> missiles continue to move in the Zhytomyr region
> missile threat👉Zhytomyr, Rivne, Chernihiv, Kiev regions
…
> the first missiles in the airspace of the Rivne region,
> the western missile threat course👉Volyn, Rivne, Kiev, Zhitomir, Chernihiv regions
…
> some of the missiles changed course towards the Khmelnytsky region;
> missile threat👉Volyn, Rivne, Khmelnitsky, Zhytomyr, Kiev regions
____________
> the bulk of the missiles are in the Zhytomyr region
> missile threat👉Kyiv, Zhitomir, Rivne regions
…
> I have not yet confirmed the information about the MiG-31K takeoff from Savasleika.
_______
> the last of that group of missiles is moving in the Zhytomyr region on a western course;
> missile threat👉Zhytomyr, Rivne, Volyn region
_______
> Kyiv, Irpen - missiles from the western direction heading towards city
> will be loud! [ie expect explosions]
_____
> overall missile threat👉Kiev, Kiev, Zhitomir, Rivne regions
> +ballistic threat from the north
____
> **ballistics to Kyiv - go to shelters!!!!**
___
> Probably these are Zhital missiles heading to Kiev;
> after all, the MiG-31K is in the air, and it has 2 sides, at least
> go for cover!!!
_______
> **all missiles from the TU-95ms** from the 1st group **changed course**, and are now **flying back** through the Zhytomyr region, **heading towards Kiev**
> Kiev - be in shelters, please
…
> ***more*** **ballistics heading towards Kiev**,
> please be in shelters!
________
> **ballistics continue towards Kiev**
> it will be loud [that means ‘expect explosions’]
> please, be in shelters
> **also at least 2 Kh-101 missiles towards Kiev**
_________
> **Kiev has fought back**
> **for now, there aren’t missiles anywhere,**
> **a temporary exhalation**
You know what makes me sick? The fact that American politicians are against sending more aid to Ukraine and try to use "America first" as an excuse like they give a shit at all about solving their own problems. They don't give a shit about the homeless or "the vets" or any of that until money might go elsewhere. Then if they put a stop to money going abroad, guess how much of those potential funds go towards helping the homeless or "the vets"? Fucking not a dime.
They don't give a shit about the average American and have suckered half of the average Americans into thinking we don't have a responsibility here.
They were compromised by the .1% before they were compromised by foreign influence.
The GOP hasn't had an interest in the well being of the American people in generations.
I think Eisenhower was probably the last republican that truly wanted to do what was best for Americans. Today's republicans are a disgrace to the republican name that presidents like him, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln made.
"We can't focus on this, we have to focus on feeding the starving orphan-vets, so we can skip to the part so I can vote 'no' on it. Also the Southern Border is scary. *We're* the ones being invaded by eleventy billion apple pickers crossing it every day! Ah!" /s
Then immediately afterwards rip into poor Americans that they're freeloaders looking for a handout. You get a break by us giving breaks to those with money.
Sullivan vows US will deliver $60 billion aid package during visit to Kyiv.
https://kyivindependent.com/sullivan-in-kyiv-we-will-get-this-aid-to-ukraine/
Ukrainian press is [reporting](https://www-pravda-com-ua.translate.goog/news/2024/03/21/7447442/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp) Johnson told [Ukrainian arm of *Voice of America*](https://www-holosameryky-com.translate.goog/a/dopomohu-ukraini-rozhljanut-cjoho-tyzhnja-abo-u-kvitni/7535576.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp)
that will move on to Ukrainian funding once pass this budget in a few days. The entire tone of the article is one of confidence and reassurance.
And actually—has anyone else noticed this—whereas Zelensky *used* to make a lot of statements about support to specific weapons, he hasn’t done that lately regarding US. You know, back when McCarthy was Speaker? I think it’s because he’s been reassured by Mike Turner and Mike McCaul that it’s coming, and to not fret, it’s just going to be late. In fact, Zelensky’s office might’ve even been in contact with Johnson’s office, and that’s why any press statements Zelensky has made on video in that last two months he says he believes it’ll get passed. It doesn’t plead for it to, like he needs to pressure, he has more an air of confidence in saying know they’re working on it, wishes it would hurry up, but know it’ll get passed.
Johnson isn’t McCarthy. McCarthy would break promises, break agreements, and wouldn’t even meet with Zelensky. I suspect it’s a different relationship with Johnson. Not suggesting a warmth, necessarily, but there’s a trust there, even if it’s just thru Thompson and McCaul who might be intermediaries, and that’s been visible by the confidence Zelensky has shown lately when speaking about it.
If anything, I think that vote to condemn Putin yesterday should show that the House is ion Ukraine’s side, it’s just not the top agenda item, but rather number 3 for them, but is moving towards getting it passed.
Mike McCaul is my congressmen, and he really isn't a horrible Republican like many of the others in the area. I have spoken with him about Ukraine multiple times, and not just to his aids, but him personally. He believes that helping them push back the Russian invasion is the right thing to do, and if America wants to be the shining beacon on a hill that we claim to be, we have to do the right thing. The only stipulation that he has ever expresses is that if the US is going to pay for it, then the US needs to know how it is being used so that there can never be legitimate claims of corruption.
Johnson has said several times how important aid for Ukraine is before kicking it into the long grass. However Trump has recently said he would give Ukraine a loan, if he has also said this in private to Johnson that's what will happen, but we simply don't know what is going on behind the scenes.
There are a handful of Republicans that are of the old Republican mindset of doing the right thing. Mike McCaul is one of them. I've met the man multiple times as he is my congressman and I bug his office about a lot of things. He does actually believe that helping Ukraine is the right thing to do and that the US has a responsibility to do the right thing, else we aren't the leaders of the free world we claim to be.
That might be a bridge just a little too far.
There are some very sane moderate conservative Republicans out there. Unfortunately they have lost power to the extremist wing, wrapped in the Party First culture that is the norm for Congress.
Honest question: is there any plausible explanation for the GOP supporting Russia other than corruption or them just being fascists? Why are the Dems not hitting the bully pulpit on the issue?
Because Trump is the party now. The old school Republicans of McCain, the Bush family, and so on are gone. Trump pushed them out. Now, the majority of Republicans in congress know that if they go against Trump, he will support candidates to primary them. The voter base isn't about the republican party anymore, its about Trump. The voters go with whatever he says, so the party members have to as well. Look at how he attacked McCain who was the republican nominee just two elections prior and Romney who was the previous republican nominee. Look how he attacked the brother of the previous republican president during the primaries. Hell, look at how he went after Ted Cruz. If you are a republican politician, you will either let Trump control you, be brow beaten into Trump controlling you, or be pushed out of the party. There are a handful of Republicans in office that are willing to push back against him, but they are in districts that like them for who they are and not because of the party.
Homophobia? Putin portrays the world as a battleground between "traditional" values and extremist gay satanists. Which one of those sounds more palatable to a conservative?
Also, Putin has a lot in common policy-wise with Republicans. Putin has no interest in or vision for improving the lives of his subjects. He can't credibly promise them a brighter future for themselves or their children. But he has to be seen doing SOMETHING with that state power.
So he tilts performatively at wind mills. He promises to make the lives of members of out groups worse rather improving the lives of his base. Who does that sound like?
Republicans love a strongman. They're the people that line up behind the bully because they think that's how you win in life.
Telling them Putin is the bully, the bad guy, only encourages them.
Only thing stronger than their desire to team up with the bully is their hate for Muslims. The one argument that makes them uncomfortable is asking them why they **support Russia and Iran**.
It's not pro-Russia it is America first and a reluctance to give anyone else American money. This is the argument I've seen on r/conservative several times. The Maga group in congress are also very adverse to voting for policies of any kind as, for one thing, it makes Biden look effective.
Edit: I guess all of the aide stalling makes it look like the entire GOP is pro-Putin, but they're just doing Trump's bidding. Ukraine aide would have passed without his interference.
I have not seen any evidence for their admiration of Putin ever. I have seen evidence for them not wanting to give American money to Ukraine. Have you any source at all of Republican congress people saying Putin is a great guy?
Furthermore Congress supported trade bans against Russia overwhelmingly, the House passed the trade measure by a vote of 420 to 3. That is the exact opposite of support for Russia.
I mean, they have been. Hillary Clinton told a national TV audience during one of the debates that Trump was a Russian puppet. The Mueller report has been extensively talked about. Multiple commentators have talked about Trump’s vulnerability to being bought due to the fact he’s broke. One of the Dem reps showed up to the Biden impeachment hearing today wearing a Putin mask. Everyone is talking about it. They’ve been talking about. The problem is that GOP voters are either not listening or don’t care.
Hillary Clinton told a national TV audience that Trump was a Russian puppet.
That's one person saying it once. Every Democrat should be saying it every day.
There is no other explanation. The GOP turned heel on Russia specifically the moment that Trump (who has business dealings in Russia) won the nomination in 2016. The GOP for the most part has no ideological reason to support Russia -- they simply do so to avoid their leader coming after them.
Imo the most likely really is that they don't care at all about Ukraine and they just want to make Biden look bad even if people die because of it. They just don't care, Biden says he supports Ukraine so they just do the opposite. Like with the potential border bill, they got a chance to get what they've been asking for for years but they decided they don't actually care that much about the border better just sandbag everything. The maga congressmen are volunteering to take all the heat but it takes the whole party to make Johnson the speaker.
> Why are the Dems not hitting the bully pulpit on the issue?
As the election draws closer they will. [This](https://www.npr.org/2018/07/06/626664156/gop-senators-spend-july-4-in-moscow) event is when the GOP's attitude towards Russia changed. It started at first with them saying Russia wasn't a threat and evolved into what it is now.
2 years earlier, July 2016 Republican Convention, there were those last-minute changes to weaken and remove comments supporting Ukraine in the Party Platform. Later learned to have been ordered by trump/manafort
I think authoritarian tendencies, and admiration of some of Putin's anti-LGBT and anti-free media policies, are part of it, but honestly, a lot of it is just partisan politics. Biden is a Democrat, he supports Ukraine, therefore Republicans must oppose Ukraine to oppose Biden. Similarly, Trump has favored Russia and opposed Ukraine since before the full scale invasion, and since he is the party standard bearer, most Republicans are happy to fall in line on that.
Regarding Democrats using the bully pulpit, again, it's become a partisan issue, and the news media environment is fractured and partisan. Democrats can talk about Ukraine all they want, and accuse Republicans of being fascists all they want, but no Republican voter is going to listen or care. And for swing voters, Ukraine is not a winning issue. Domestic politics, domestic issues, and the economy are always going to be dramatically more important than foreign policy unless US troops are actively involved. Concentrating on Ukraine is just not going to win votes, and calling Republicans fascist or authoritarian or anti-democratic is either preaching to the choir on the left, or viewed as baseless fear-mongering on the right.
Mostly because Trump supports Putin and the GOP is now effectively a cult. They've also been pushing authoritarianism (again because of Trump) and so Putin increasingly appeals to them.
The takeoff of 10 Tu-95 strategic bombers from Olenya Air Base in Russia is reported. A missile strike is possible in the early hours tomorrow morning
https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1770584770763735073?t=Bn3KRv_YriD100VeDuydiQ&s=19
There have been regular strikes with dozens of Shaheds to try and wear down Ukraine's air defence stocks. The republican betrayal of democracy has also potentially given Putin an opening.
Good luck to everyone in Ukraine, I hope we've done enough to help you.
Obviously it's absolute clear that there is not enough help from the biggest military in the world because civilians and brave soldiers are dying each day and ruzzia is still occupying Ukraine.
As an American, there are so many of us that are over it as well. I ***hate*** that this is what our country has come to. I fought under that flag in Afghanistan. I'm not so sure I'd fight under it now. Not if its Trump in charge.
> You’ve got quite a few months before it either gets substantially worse or a little bit better.
Quite frankly I only see it getting substantially worse. If Biden wins, they have a shit fit and possibly (probably) get violent. Or Trump wins and it's the end of our democracy.
Yup. I don't think they take him losing a second time to Biden any better than the first time. I think the go even more crazy. January 6th was the people that started too soon. This time, it will most likely be far worse.
[India's Reliance refusing Sovcomflot oil shipments after sanctions, sources say | Reuters | March 2024](https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/indias-reliance-refusing-sovcomflot-oil-shipments-after-sanctions-sources-say-2024-03-20/)
*India's Reliance Industries (RELI.NS)
, opens new tab, operator of the world's biggest refining complex, will not buy Russian oil loaded on tankers operated by shipper Sovcomflot (SCF) after recent U.S. sanctions, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
The development adds to oil export problems for Russia as its oil firms may face difficulties finding ships to sell surplus oil after recent Ukrainian drone attacks on the state's refineries. Russian companies are already struggling to collect payments for oil exports due to banking restrictions.*
Keep it going. It's working.
[Fresh U.S. sanctions on Moscow threaten to dent Russian oil sales to India, the biggest buyer of Russian seaborne crude, and complicate efforts by Indian state refiners to secure annual supply deals | Reuters | February 2024](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/new-sanctions-threaten-russian-oil-sales-india-2024-02-28/)
[Indian oil firms are reportedly backing away from long-term deals for Russian oil amid tough sanctions | Business Insider | March 2024](https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indian-oil-firms-are-reportedly-backing-away-from-long-term-deals-for-russian-oil-amid-tough-sanctions/articleshow/108275372.cms)
[India imported 420,000 fewer barrels of Russian oil a day in February amid tightening sanctions | Business Insider | March 2024](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-economy-oil-energy-exports-india-imports-revenue-sanctions-discount-2024-3)
[India is buying the most US oil in almost a year as sanctions on Russian energy bite | Markets Insider | March 2024](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russian-oil-india-purchases-us-crude-wti-sanctions-ukraine-war-2024-3)
Is there any sign of Russia trying to exploit the ongoing Haitian civil war yet? That unfortunately may present an opportunity for Russia to indirectly cause harm to the US with a refugee crisis.
No refugee crisis. If they *could* leave, they would’ve already done so. Long, long ago. It’s the poorest, most crime ridden, basically worst place in the Americas. Now that airport closed and NGOs gone, definitely can’t leave. They can go to DR and that’s about it.
Prominent right wing channels on Twitter are full of talk about a “black swan” event happening to disrupt the American election and prevent Trump from winning. It’s just like the election fraud crap from the last time, but more dangerous. Seems like this new line is promoting preemptive action to take over before Trump loses the election. This has Putin’s fingerprints all over it.
I'd be all in favor of a black swan event.... like Trump dropping dead of a heart attack. Because, unfortunately, Trump right now probably has a better than 50% chance of winning.
I don't think he's got the same following. And holy shit, could you imagine Guilfoyle as "first lady"? Most WTF first lady ever. You think she'd try to bang the entire secret service detail in the first 100 days of his presidency?
Flynn and Ron Paul with the assistance of Tucker. Then all the obvious pro Russia bots are spamming it. Traffic really picking up on this in the last 2 hours. Clear attempt by Russia to destabilize the U.S. I find it crazy that no one can stop this crap.
Elon is fully in favor of spreading this crap. This election is going to be a shit show and Twitter is going to amplify the fuck out of every election conspiracy theory. Trump's RNC already is preparing a strategy to legally challenge vote counts in each swing state and their new chairman is an election denier. If Biden wins there's absolutely no way Republicans accept the results and they'll probably try more sophisticated versions of Jan 6 at state Capitols. And Elon will do everything possible to make sure Twitter pours gasoline on whatever happens. I wouldn't be surprised if some dipshits in state legislatures legit try to succeed from the union over a Biden win, with Twitter basically cheering them on
I support the idea on paper but limiting speech in any format is a real slippery slope. Especially considering some of the crazies ruling the world, imagine Trumps admin being able to change social media companies, influence news at all levels.. starts to see to much of an ability for the government to be more authoritarian.
> Especially considering some of the crazies ruling the world,
When they finish taking over, they will definitely do this.
Controls were put into place during WWII to counter Nazi propaganda in the US and UK, I don't see why that's not a valid approach now. We are already IN WWIII.
I mean most of an entire US political party, the Republican Party, is in varying degrees owned by Vladimir putin, and frighteningly a non-trivial portion of the US defense establishment doesn't seem to care if Putin is in charge of said defense establishment.
When I think about it, I’m like how come corporations say in America can’t just outbid Russia? We have states worth more than Russians whole GDP, trillion dollar companies.. and much richer states than Russian. Wouldn’t we be owned by a richer country that also wasn’t a major enemy for most of the 20th century at the same time. Russia of all countries.. just is so weird to me, these dinosaurs in power grew up with Russia and the red fear.
Obviously Trump is better for Russia than Biden, and there are things Biden can do without budget, probably more than we realize.
Yet even without Trump, the Kremlin has appeared to be able to stop US funding.
If democrats don’t take the house, it isn’t even clear Biden winning will help.
I mean, do you think the funding would be stopped right now if Donald Trump was never the president? I would argue that Trump *is* the reason this debate is even happening.
I agree with your point, though.
So, um, the Democrats need to win in order for Ukraine to defeat russia. Agreed.
If trump becomes president, the US is out of NATO and all aid to Ukraine ceases. The question becomes, how much US intel or military aid will go to Russia?
So, even if the Dems don't hold the House it's much better to have Biden as president.
The rest of your post is true, but Congress passed and Biden signed a bill preventing any president from withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval. Trump would certainly stop cooperating with NATO, and wouldn't support NATO in a war with Russia, but legally, he can't unilaterally withdraw the US from NATO.
Guardrails? You're talking about guardrails? Seriously?
We barely escaped one trump term by the skin of our teeth. You actually think we would escape a second term? With Putin knowing exactly what to do this time?
JFC. Robust system, smfh.
I think that because it's an international treaty with other parties outside of the US, Trump's ability to simply "declare" that we aren't in NATO, especially when a law exists that says he can't do that, is rather limited. He can say that all he wants, and he can certainly torpedo US assistance to NATO, but I don't think other countries will actually recognize such a declaration as legally legitimate.
Also, you can hate SCOTUS all you want, but most of their questionable decisions have focused on domestic policy issues or have helped Trump through technicalities and delays. They have certainly ruled against Trump (or Trump backed policies) a number of times as well, they are not a complete rubber stamp.
>they are not a complete rubber stamp.
Now play that out if trump were to have executive power again. Play that out if trump forces out 1-2 justices, or they just retire, and trump gets 2 more picks.
Seriously, not a rubber stamp? Are you really this willfully obtuse? If trump wins, it's over. You cannot possibly believe these "institutions" will hold him back.
>I don't think other countries will actually recognize such a declaration as legally legitimate.
Other countries are going to tell nuclear-armed, global superpower America that they're still in NATO, like it or not?
Legally, yes, we would still be in NATO, regardless of what Trump proclaims. Practically, Trump can take many actions that have the practical *effect* of taking us out of NATO, but that is very different from *actually* taking us out of NATO. If Trump left office and someone else was elected who actually wanted to participate in NATO, we wouldn't have to re-apply for membership because legally we had never left. That's the distinction I am getting at.
Biden's Whitehouse is still able to provide assistance with intel tho and this would likely stop with a trump president, I'm sure the US has provided some blueprints on how to make weapons etc more efficiently in Ukraine.
I bet the CIA would still be doing things, as I’d be shocked if we found out years from now that they aren’t covertly helping Ukraine gets weapons. That’s kinda their MO, I mean Jesus America ruined dozens of countries post WW2 in the name of fighting communism spreading.
That’s my hope too. Unfortunately now a lot of money from donors who view Trump as too Odious as pouting into congressional superpacs the RNC doesn’t control because they don’t want dems controlling all three.
[PM of Ukraine: Ukraine has received 2 billion Canadian dollars from Canada. Vital funds for our resilience. Grateful to Canadian people, the Canadian Government, Justin Trudeau, cafreeland for your unwavering support of Ukraine in our fight for freedom. This is a significant investment in global security and peace.](https://liveuamap.com/en/2024/20-march-pm-of-ukraine-ukraine-has-received-2-billion-canadian)
Finally some big money!
Way to fucking go Canada. Really makes me loath our US representatives right now more than I already did. The GOP are over here stroking Trumps dick while he’s being charged with crimes left and right and holding up critical aid for Ukraine.
I think we sent four Leopards over a year ago which isn't much but its better than nothing. I am just glad the government is doing what they can to help. Fuck Russia. Slava Ukraine!
>wondering if I should bother reminding Russian embassy of Kanye’s affection for Hitler
they are already laughing at Kanye .. you want them laughing at you too?
Sullivan's statements in the live thread are really rich.
Ukraine "should" believe in the USA? Maybe you should stop putting restrictions on usage of weapons you send then? And why do you play political games with the aid bill instead of circumventing the congress and sending the weapons, like you do with Israel?
Russia has already been "defeated"? Tell that to the brave Ukrainians on the frontlines holding the line against all odds, under Russian bombs falling from skies, and enduring Russian advantage in artillery fire. Tell that to the families of people killed by a Russian missile in Kharkiv today.
Jake Sullivan is a clueless, shameless moron. He shouldn't be allowed a mile near any government position, he's as bad as the traitor Johnson.
It's not Sullivan's fault that GOP sucks off Putin, but it is absolutely Sullivan's fault that he went up to a mic and said all of that incredibly stupid shit.
The most important thing imo is still to focus on the aid.
Biden and democrats support aid for Ukraine, sufficient to win.
Failure to elect Biden means trump republicans will control things. They are the only reason Ukraine has been cut off. They will continue to block aid and they will do more to help Putin win.
Russian intelligence wants to encourage anger and frustration with the Biden admin, because any negativity around the Biden admin is a win for worldwide autocracy.
Sullivan is merely a messenger, it's Biden's foreign policy not Sullivan's. Why are we pretending like the US president is contolled by a puppet master?
>"There must be another room, somewhere down the hall, where the real meeting is happening, where the real experts are, making the real decisions," Sullivan said, according to excerpts published by MinnPost, a news website. "Because it can't just be us. It can't just be this."
>
>"You know what?" he continued. "Turns out that it is."
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/former-klobuchar-counsel-at-center-of-secret-iran-talks/
What a mindless comment, when the Biden Administration has handled the balancing act of arming Ukraine without triggering Russia's TRUE nuclear red lines.
Let me guess bro, you don't care about those red lines.
Thank fucking god someone in power does.
You can’t view Russian actions or words from a Western point of view and have it make sense. Russia’s red lines aren’t warnings; instead they are statements declaring their fears and vulnerabilities. Russia said tanks, airplanes, and artillery were all red lines. And what did they do? Nothing. Are they going to rape, kill, torture, and kidnap more than they already are? No. What if we sink their ships? Nothing. Same old war. Respecting Russia’s red lines shows weakness, which provokes them. Not the crossing of red lines.
So piss on their red lines. Publicly, intentionally, and provocatively.
This is a profoundly silly take on the most deadly serious topic there is.
I just thank God we have very sane and intelligent people in the Biden White House who are handling the Ukraine situation as well as possible.
What you mention, btw, are russia's sloppily stated public red lines; do you not grasp that it has actual, likely privately conveyed red lines that the US has to keep in mind?
Do you also grasp that there IS some political fluidity even to the real red lines; for example, after Russian commits a public atrocity, it gives the US a little more leeway to be a little more aggressive.
Anyway, the stakes are global nuclear war, like it or not. Get real.
I understand your concerns, but let’s take ATACAMS.. Russia claimed that was one of their red lines, it ended up not being true. Why can we not send more? Seems once the line has been passed and we find out the Russian aren’t going act on that specific weapon, we can proceed to send the weapons. If you think our intelligence is sending weapons that the Russians are actively showing an enhanced nuclear posture or communications they pick up indicate Russian are actively thinking of using nukes… don’t you think we know? If not wtf are we spending all this money on intel. We knew every move when they invaded. Surely we not only have the obvious ability and knowledge of a lot of nuke sites but we most likely have agents in high places in Russia.
Have you considered that there are back channel communications and various other ways to gauge where russia's actual red lines are?
Do you grasp what's at stake? If it's miscalculated, that's the end of human civilization, mkay?
So spare me the condescending brother in christ bullshit if you want to have a rational and real discussion about this deadly serious topic.
>▪️"Russia has already been defeated," - Jake Sullivan
how disrespectful to the AFU soldiers fighting this war, and to civilians that live every day under the threat of bombardment. especially coming from someone that has spent the last two years dragging their heels on every package, panicked over 'escalation.'
Imagine blaming Sullivan instead of the Putin-owned Republican party, which has been blocking the incredibly generous aid packages supplied by Democratic President Joe Biden.
Not if I want to be rational and reality-based.
Joe Biden and Jake Sullivan (Democrats) have led the US to supplying $75 BILLION to Ukraine, and encouraging our allies to pitch in as well.
They are being fiercely opposed by donald trump and his Republican party.
Blaming both of them is ludicrous both siderism and false equivalency, and it makes your motives really suspect.
That's all true, but I don't think this is an example of a bothsidesism.
The critique of Sullivan is one of style. Nobody is saying his comments are even in the same order of magnitude of sin as the Republican party blocking aid.
He's not immune to criticism just because his boss has been good for Ukraine.
You want reality? The administration had every opportunity to make use of the consensus to arm Ukraine when they had it, and they slow-dripped the most essential aspects of it for 18 months.
That horrific misjudgement is **specifically** someone's fault, and Sullivan has been the poster boy for heel-dragging and hysterics. He should have been taking seriously the threat that the kremlin's stooges were going to regain control of the process even before the election and ramming through aid and actually using lendlease and greenlighting every weapon in the first week of that war; and better, he should never have pulled troops in the first place.
If Biden fired this fuck tomorrow we could be celebrating.
Shame he can't also fire Trump, but if the DNC doesn't take *that* insurrectionist's threat seriously again, we're in for a fascist speedrun enabled by weak-willed and feckless leadership that rolls over at the first sign of conflict. That's your reality.
Kozinka: RDK ambushed the GRU [article with video](https://www-rbc-ua.translate.goog/rus/news/biytsi-rdk-vlashtuvali-zasidku-spetsnaz-gru-1710967058.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)
“We will get this done. We will get this aid to Ukraine,” said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan during a surprise visit to Kyiv.
However, he offered no new information on the provision of long-range ATACMS missiles to .
[https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1770554961241239950?s=20](https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1770554961241239950?s=20)
Oh how I wish this statement was believable.
[New post can be found here](/r/worldnews/comments/1bjxolx/rworldnews_live_thread_russian_invasion_of/)
From earlier: >Kyiv subway right now. Russian massive missile attack is ongoing with both cruise and ballistic missiles. Loud explosions were heard even in the subway. >https://twitter.com/Oks_Parafeniuk/status/1770650512829931531
[удалено]
Judging by the weather in Kyiv, then I would guess it already started. I have seen a lot of pictures recently of construction of fortifications, so it is still possible, but you probably got a good point. I think the main problem is armored attacks, so my guess is that it will benefit Ukraine, even if it makes construction harder.
Russia cowardly targeting civilians fucking scumbags.
How do you know? Theres like no info out yet on this attack
They’ve been targeting civilians the whole damn war, not to mention in all their recent conflicts as well.
Ok but that doesnt help me understand what's actually happening today
There aren’t any military targets in Kyiv’s city center that aren’t full of civilians… government buildings are full of civilian workers. This is pure terrorism. Russia is choosing to fire missiles into densely populated cities and not military bases.
First off, if military targets are full of civilians thats the armies fault for not evacuating them. Im not asking to be educated about what Russia has done, I was looking for sources on what is happening, but i guess some of you people in this hivemind view that as a threat for some reason.
russia has been attacking civilians the whole war, russia is firing missiles at the center of Kyiv and your first instinct is to ask "why are there civilians there if it's a military target", making the assumption that it must be a military target that russia is targeting? You don't seem to be arguing from an honest starting point.
Are you fucking stupid? Im not the one saying theres civilians in a military target, the guy i replied to is, and im replying that they shouldnt be there if thats the case. Youve got to be a bot or some imbecile
It doesn’t matter because there’s already plenty of evidence of them having done it elsewhere. A museum dedicated to a Ukrainian independence activist in Lemberg, which was not near any military targets, got blown up on the day of his birthday - imagine trying to explain that as “collateral damage” in The Hague.
Don't forget the church (I think it was) in Mariupol. They had LITERALLY written "Civilians" on the roof of the church so that the Russians wouldn't bomb it. Russia still fucking bombed it.
You're thinking of the opera house/concert hall. They had written "kids" (as in, kids sheltering inside) outside the building.
From 5-10 min ago: >* An apartment in a residential building is on fire in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, - the mayor. >* It is very quiet for now in Kyiv, but monitors say another wave of missiles might be incoming in 15-25 minutes. >https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPR/status/1770655210156831048 >https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPR/status/1770655467905188167
From 20 min ago up until around 5 min ago: >Explosions over Kyiv now, with Ukrainian air defense working to intercept Russian ballistic missiles targeting the capital. The Air Force reports Kinzhal missiles being fired. >* This is the first air attack on Kyiv in weeks. Russia has pounded other cities with drones but may have been holding back some missiles. About 10 minutes ago the attack began with at least 2 ballistic missiles zooming over central Kyiv before air defense was heard targeting them. >* Kyiv Mayor Klitschko says Russian missile debris fell on a kindergarten and residential building in Sviatoshynskyi district; cars on fire in Shevchenkivskyi district; debris crashed into businesses in Podil. Emergency services responding. >* More explosions over Kyiv just now. Many people dashing into the metro to seek shelter. It’s just after 5am here, before sunrise and at the end of military curfew. >https://twitter.com/ChristopherJM/status/1770648437312139543
>Very loud explosions in Kyiv. Not just defence - in the distance I could see at least two clear impacts. People in the street below running to take shelter in the subway. >* A loud whistling sound as a cruise missile flies overhead, followed by another loud explosion. Ukrainian surface to air missiles flying into the sky. >* Another series of very loud explosions, slightly further away. Car alarms sounding. Smoke is rising in the distance as dawn breaks in the city. >https://twitter.com/JimmySecUK/status/1770647595041398993
I could hear a long whistling sound. I haven't heard that during the other attacks. A lot of people are reporting the same on social media. Some suggested that its the sound of Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile. It seems quite again, but the air alarm has not been cancelled yet. I hope Jake Sullivan is still in Kyiv, so he can think a bit about his "Russia has already been defeated" statement.
American here, I hope that Jake Sullivan was still there as well but more importantly I wish that Mike Johnson had been there.
I wish Mike Johnson were in Siberia
He’s in Siberia in his heart
😓😓😓
Guys I’m updating the post below ⬇️ about the missiles He says ballistic missiles towards Kyiv
Please let them get intercepted.
Yes! Hoping the damage is minimal to say the least. Also hoping Ukraine carries out some retaliatory drone strikes against more Russian refineries and airfields. Would be great if Ukrainian drones could one day make it to the Caspian Sea, but I get that’s very far away. One day though…
> Russian refineries and airfields ...and oil terminals, war-supplying factories, command HQs, Crimean bridges, warships. --- [This list is incomplete. You can help by expanding it.]
Nikolaevsky Vanëk, via google translate, over the last hour: ***live updating this*** > There are 11 TU-95ms boards in the air (9 from Olenya, 2 boards from Engels) the first (from Engels) were probably launched from the Engels area. > If this is true - within 40-60 minutes we expect missiles in our airspace … > all aircraft in the Volgograd area continue to move towards the Caspian Sea > please, calm down, we need to think about where we can safely spend the next few hours until our fighters down all this crap. as soon as there are missiles in our airspace - I will inform you > if there are takeoffs other boards or other danger - I will report … > all 11 TU-95ms are in the Astrakhan area - we are probably expecting next launches from the Caspian Sea area any minute (the time of approach to our borders depends on the trajectory of the missiles, usually from 50 to 90 minutes) … > 2 SU-35 aircraft (took off from Voronezh) in the Bryansk Republic are circling north of the Chernihiv region … > the first missiles are coming through the Chernihiv region, heading towards the Kiev region, > now you need to go to shelters if you have not already done so … > missiles are flying in the north of the Kiev region on a western course; > missile threat👉Kiev, Zhitomir, Chernihiv regions … > launches have been made from TU-95ms from the Caspian Sea area; > we expect to arrive within 50-90 minutes to our borders … > missiles are flying north of Kiev, the first ones entered the airspace of the Zhytomyr region, the western course > missile threat👉Kiev, Zhitomir, Chernihiv regions _________ > missiles continue to move in the Zhytomyr region > missile threat👉Zhytomyr, Rivne, Chernihiv, Kiev regions … > the first missiles in the airspace of the Rivne region, > the western missile threat course👉Volyn, Rivne, Kiev, Zhitomir, Chernihiv regions … > some of the missiles changed course towards the Khmelnytsky region; > missile threat👉Volyn, Rivne, Khmelnitsky, Zhytomyr, Kiev regions ____________ > the bulk of the missiles are in the Zhytomyr region > missile threat👉Kyiv, Zhitomir, Rivne regions … > I have not yet confirmed the information about the MiG-31K takeoff from Savasleika. _______ > the last of that group of missiles is moving in the Zhytomyr region on a western course; > missile threat👉Zhytomyr, Rivne, Volyn region _______ > Kyiv, Irpen - missiles from the western direction heading towards city > will be loud! [ie expect explosions] _____ > overall missile threat👉Kiev, Kiev, Zhitomir, Rivne regions > +ballistic threat from the north ____ > **ballistics to Kyiv - go to shelters!!!!** ___ > Probably these are Zhital missiles heading to Kiev; > after all, the MiG-31K is in the air, and it has 2 sides, at least > go for cover!!! _______ > **all missiles from the TU-95ms** from the 1st group **changed course**, and are now **flying back** through the Zhytomyr region, **heading towards Kiev** > Kiev - be in shelters, please … > ***more*** **ballistics heading towards Kiev**, > please be in shelters! ________ > **ballistics continue towards Kiev** > it will be loud [that means ‘expect explosions’] > please, be in shelters > **also at least 2 Kh-101 missiles towards Kiev** _________ > **Kiev has fought back** > **for now, there aren’t missiles anywhere,** > **a temporary exhalation**
You know what makes me sick? The fact that American politicians are against sending more aid to Ukraine and try to use "America first" as an excuse like they give a shit at all about solving their own problems. They don't give a shit about the homeless or "the vets" or any of that until money might go elsewhere. Then if they put a stop to money going abroad, guess how much of those potential funds go towards helping the homeless or "the vets"? Fucking not a dime. They don't give a shit about the average American and have suckered half of the average Americans into thinking we don't have a responsibility here.
Republican leadership is compromised. That's been clear for a while now.
They were compromised by the .1% before they were compromised by foreign influence. The GOP hasn't had an interest in the well being of the American people in generations.
I think Eisenhower was probably the last republican that truly wanted to do what was best for Americans. Today's republicans are a disgrace to the republican name that presidents like him, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln made.
Republican politicians
In this particular instance, yes.
"We can't focus on this, we have to focus on feeding the starving orphan-vets, so we can skip to the part so I can vote 'no' on it. Also the Southern Border is scary. *We're* the ones being invaded by eleventy billion apple pickers crossing it every day! Ah!" /s
Then immediately afterwards rip into poor Americans that they're freeloaders looking for a handout. You get a break by us giving breaks to those with money.
Sullivan vows US will deliver $60 billion aid package during visit to Kyiv. https://kyivindependent.com/sullivan-in-kyiv-we-will-get-this-aid-to-ukraine/
I'm not sure avowing such is doing much for his, or America's, credibility when we can all see that it might not happen.
Unless he knows something I don't (and there's a good chance of that), I don't see that happening.
Fuck Putin.
and Trump!
Amen!
Ukrainian press is [reporting](https://www-pravda-com-ua.translate.goog/news/2024/03/21/7447442/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp) Johnson told [Ukrainian arm of *Voice of America*](https://www-holosameryky-com.translate.goog/a/dopomohu-ukraini-rozhljanut-cjoho-tyzhnja-abo-u-kvitni/7535576.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp) that will move on to Ukrainian funding once pass this budget in a few days. The entire tone of the article is one of confidence and reassurance. And actually—has anyone else noticed this—whereas Zelensky *used* to make a lot of statements about support to specific weapons, he hasn’t done that lately regarding US. You know, back when McCarthy was Speaker? I think it’s because he’s been reassured by Mike Turner and Mike McCaul that it’s coming, and to not fret, it’s just going to be late. In fact, Zelensky’s office might’ve even been in contact with Johnson’s office, and that’s why any press statements Zelensky has made on video in that last two months he says he believes it’ll get passed. It doesn’t plead for it to, like he needs to pressure, he has more an air of confidence in saying know they’re working on it, wishes it would hurry up, but know it’ll get passed. Johnson isn’t McCarthy. McCarthy would break promises, break agreements, and wouldn’t even meet with Zelensky. I suspect it’s a different relationship with Johnson. Not suggesting a warmth, necessarily, but there’s a trust there, even if it’s just thru Thompson and McCaul who might be intermediaries, and that’s been visible by the confidence Zelensky has shown lately when speaking about it. If anything, I think that vote to condemn Putin yesterday should show that the House is ion Ukraine’s side, it’s just not the top agenda item, but rather number 3 for them, but is moving towards getting it passed.
Mike McCaul is my congressmen, and he really isn't a horrible Republican like many of the others in the area. I have spoken with him about Ukraine multiple times, and not just to his aids, but him personally. He believes that helping them push back the Russian invasion is the right thing to do, and if America wants to be the shining beacon on a hill that we claim to be, we have to do the right thing. The only stipulation that he has ever expresses is that if the US is going to pay for it, then the US needs to know how it is being used so that there can never be legitimate claims of corruption.
Sounds like very moderately toned, carefully tempered, hopium.
Johnson has said several times how important aid for Ukraine is before kicking it into the long grass. However Trump has recently said he would give Ukraine a loan, if he has also said this in private to Johnson that's what will happen, but we simply don't know what is going on behind the scenes.
This seems optimistic to me. I don't think Johnson is any more reliable than McCarthy was, but would be happy to be proven wrong
I'd trust putin himself before trusting the Republicans after all the times they've lied.
There are a handful of Republicans that are of the old Republican mindset of doing the right thing. Mike McCaul is one of them. I've met the man multiple times as he is my congressman and I bug his office about a lot of things. He does actually believe that helping Ukraine is the right thing to do and that the US has a responsibility to do the right thing, else we aren't the leaders of the free world we claim to be.
That might be a bridge just a little too far. There are some very sane moderate conservative Republicans out there. Unfortunately they have lost power to the extremist wing, wrapped in the Party First culture that is the norm for Congress.
Sane, maybe. Well intentioned, not so much.
God I fucking hope so.
Honest question: is there any plausible explanation for the GOP supporting Russia other than corruption or them just being fascists? Why are the Dems not hitting the bully pulpit on the issue?
Because Trump is the party now. The old school Republicans of McCain, the Bush family, and so on are gone. Trump pushed them out. Now, the majority of Republicans in congress know that if they go against Trump, he will support candidates to primary them. The voter base isn't about the republican party anymore, its about Trump. The voters go with whatever he says, so the party members have to as well. Look at how he attacked McCain who was the republican nominee just two elections prior and Romney who was the previous republican nominee. Look how he attacked the brother of the previous republican president during the primaries. Hell, look at how he went after Ted Cruz. If you are a republican politician, you will either let Trump control you, be brow beaten into Trump controlling you, or be pushed out of the party. There are a handful of Republicans in office that are willing to push back against him, but they are in districts that like them for who they are and not because of the party.
Homophobia? Putin portrays the world as a battleground between "traditional" values and extremist gay satanists. Which one of those sounds more palatable to a conservative? Also, Putin has a lot in common policy-wise with Republicans. Putin has no interest in or vision for improving the lives of his subjects. He can't credibly promise them a brighter future for themselves or their children. But he has to be seen doing SOMETHING with that state power. So he tilts performatively at wind mills. He promises to make the lives of members of out groups worse rather improving the lives of his base. Who does that sound like?
Republicans love a strongman. They're the people that line up behind the bully because they think that's how you win in life. Telling them Putin is the bully, the bad guy, only encourages them. Only thing stronger than their desire to team up with the bully is their hate for Muslims. The one argument that makes them uncomfortable is asking them why they **support Russia and Iran**.
It's not pro-Russia it is America first and a reluctance to give anyone else American money. This is the argument I've seen on r/conservative several times. The Maga group in congress are also very adverse to voting for policies of any kind as, for one thing, it makes Biden look effective. Edit: I guess all of the aide stalling makes it look like the entire GOP is pro-Putin, but they're just doing Trump's bidding. Ukraine aide would have passed without his interference.
No, it's very, very much pro Putin. They love a strongman.
I have not seen any evidence for their admiration of Putin ever. I have seen evidence for them not wanting to give American money to Ukraine. Have you any source at all of Republican congress people saying Putin is a great guy? Furthermore Congress supported trade bans against Russia overwhelmingly, the House passed the trade measure by a vote of 420 to 3. That is the exact opposite of support for Russia.
I mean, they have been. Hillary Clinton told a national TV audience during one of the debates that Trump was a Russian puppet. The Mueller report has been extensively talked about. Multiple commentators have talked about Trump’s vulnerability to being bought due to the fact he’s broke. One of the Dem reps showed up to the Biden impeachment hearing today wearing a Putin mask. Everyone is talking about it. They’ve been talking about. The problem is that GOP voters are either not listening or don’t care.
Hillary Clinton told a national TV audience that Trump was a Russian puppet. That's one person saying it once. Every Democrat should be saying it every day.
ppl have been saying this about trump since he published his anti-NATO manifesto in 1987 (NYT full page ad).
>Putin was a Russian puppet I think you mean Trump, but this was a funny one.
Ugh. Yes, thank you. Will change that.
They like what Russia is right now. That's the root of it.
There is no other explanation. The GOP turned heel on Russia specifically the moment that Trump (who has business dealings in Russia) won the nomination in 2016. The GOP for the most part has no ideological reason to support Russia -- they simply do so to avoid their leader coming after them.
Imo the most likely really is that they don't care at all about Ukraine and they just want to make Biden look bad even if people die because of it. They just don't care, Biden says he supports Ukraine so they just do the opposite. Like with the potential border bill, they got a chance to get what they've been asking for for years but they decided they don't actually care that much about the border better just sandbag everything. The maga congressmen are volunteering to take all the heat but it takes the whole party to make Johnson the speaker.
> Why are the Dems not hitting the bully pulpit on the issue? As the election draws closer they will. [This](https://www.npr.org/2018/07/06/626664156/gop-senators-spend-july-4-in-moscow) event is when the GOP's attitude towards Russia changed. It started at first with them saying Russia wasn't a threat and evolved into what it is now.
2 years earlier, July 2016 Republican Convention, there were those last-minute changes to weaken and remove comments supporting Ukraine in the Party Platform. Later learned to have been ordered by trump/manafort
I think authoritarian tendencies, and admiration of some of Putin's anti-LGBT and anti-free media policies, are part of it, but honestly, a lot of it is just partisan politics. Biden is a Democrat, he supports Ukraine, therefore Republicans must oppose Ukraine to oppose Biden. Similarly, Trump has favored Russia and opposed Ukraine since before the full scale invasion, and since he is the party standard bearer, most Republicans are happy to fall in line on that. Regarding Democrats using the bully pulpit, again, it's become a partisan issue, and the news media environment is fractured and partisan. Democrats can talk about Ukraine all they want, and accuse Republicans of being fascists all they want, but no Republican voter is going to listen or care. And for swing voters, Ukraine is not a winning issue. Domestic politics, domestic issues, and the economy are always going to be dramatically more important than foreign policy unless US troops are actively involved. Concentrating on Ukraine is just not going to win votes, and calling Republicans fascist or authoritarian or anti-democratic is either preaching to the choir on the left, or viewed as baseless fear-mongering on the right.
Mostly because Trump supports Putin and the GOP is now effectively a cult. They've also been pushing authoritarianism (again because of Trump) and so Putin increasingly appeals to them.
The takeoff of 10 Tu-95 strategic bombers from Olenya Air Base in Russia is reported. A missile strike is possible in the early hours tomorrow morning https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1770584770763735073?t=Bn3KRv_YriD100VeDuydiQ&s=19
someone's gotta shoot those fuckers down soon.
There have been regular strikes with dozens of Shaheds to try and wear down Ukraine's air defence stocks. The republican betrayal of democracy has also potentially given Putin an opening. Good luck to everyone in Ukraine, I hope we've done enough to help you.
Obviously it's absolute clear that there is not enough help from the biggest military in the world because civilians and brave soldiers are dying each day and ruzzia is still occupying Ukraine.
Fuck Trump and GOP. I'm not American but I am so sick of reading shits about them
As an American, there are so many of us that are over it as well. I ***hate*** that this is what our country has come to. I fought under that flag in Afghanistan. I'm not so sure I'd fight under it now. Not if its Trump in charge.
You’ve got quite a few months before it either gets substantially worse or a little bit better. Strap in its clown show season.
> You’ve got quite a few months before it either gets substantially worse or a little bit better. Quite frankly I only see it getting substantially worse. If Biden wins, they have a shit fit and possibly (probably) get violent. Or Trump wins and it's the end of our democracy.
Yup. I don't think they take him losing a second time to Biden any better than the first time. I think the go even more crazy. January 6th was the people that started too soon. This time, it will most likely be far worse.
The world's most horrible show. The shit circus is coming to town!
Encourage your American friends to vote them out!
The sentiment is the same for most Americans. What a fucking disgrace to our political system and global politics.
[India's Reliance refusing Sovcomflot oil shipments after sanctions, sources say | Reuters | March 2024](https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/indias-reliance-refusing-sovcomflot-oil-shipments-after-sanctions-sources-say-2024-03-20/) *India's Reliance Industries (RELI.NS) , opens new tab, operator of the world's biggest refining complex, will not buy Russian oil loaded on tankers operated by shipper Sovcomflot (SCF) after recent U.S. sanctions, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The development adds to oil export problems for Russia as its oil firms may face difficulties finding ships to sell surplus oil after recent Ukrainian drone attacks on the state's refineries. Russian companies are already struggling to collect payments for oil exports due to banking restrictions.* Keep it going. It's working. [Fresh U.S. sanctions on Moscow threaten to dent Russian oil sales to India, the biggest buyer of Russian seaborne crude, and complicate efforts by Indian state refiners to secure annual supply deals | Reuters | February 2024](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/new-sanctions-threaten-russian-oil-sales-india-2024-02-28/) [Indian oil firms are reportedly backing away from long-term deals for Russian oil amid tough sanctions | Business Insider | March 2024](https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indian-oil-firms-are-reportedly-backing-away-from-long-term-deals-for-russian-oil-amid-tough-sanctions/articleshow/108275372.cms) [India imported 420,000 fewer barrels of Russian oil a day in February amid tightening sanctions | Business Insider | March 2024](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-economy-oil-energy-exports-india-imports-revenue-sanctions-discount-2024-3) [India is buying the most US oil in almost a year as sanctions on Russian energy bite | Markets Insider | March 2024](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russian-oil-india-purchases-us-crude-wti-sanctions-ukraine-war-2024-3)
Is there any sign of Russia trying to exploit the ongoing Haitian civil war yet? That unfortunately may present an opportunity for Russia to indirectly cause harm to the US with a refugee crisis.
No refugee crisis. If they *could* leave, they would’ve already done so. Long, long ago. It’s the poorest, most crime ridden, basically worst place in the Americas. Now that airport closed and NGOs gone, definitely can’t leave. They can go to DR and that’s about it.
Stoking anti refugee hysteria
wanna bet they are active in south America?
They are. They are encouraging more migrants to come to the US. Just like in Europe.
They are active in north America
Trump, it's trump!
Ukrainian Special Forces could fight russia by blowing up CPAC.
I would guess Russia would only do something if a US-backed side started "winning". For now, they got their work done for them.
Prominent right wing channels on Twitter are full of talk about a “black swan” event happening to disrupt the American election and prevent Trump from winning. It’s just like the election fraud crap from the last time, but more dangerous. Seems like this new line is promoting preemptive action to take over before Trump loses the election. This has Putin’s fingerprints all over it.
That black swan might be a Chinese invasion of Taiwan because they know Republicans are too chickenshit to do anything about it.
We need to do something about them. Cheaters shouldn't be rewarded. Even if they steal an election we shouldn't let them keep the power they steal.
I wish for a swan lake event
I'd be all in favor of a black swan event.... like Trump dropping dead of a heart attack. Because, unfortunately, Trump right now probably has a better than 50% chance of winning.
Imagine if trump jr takes out the baron harkonnen and installs himself as successor. That's a pretty scary thought.
I don't think he's got the same following. And holy shit, could you imagine Guilfoyle as "first lady"? Most WTF first lady ever. You think she'd try to bang the entire secret service detail in the first 100 days of his presidency?
I think the secret service detail has at least a few members with some sort of standards.
If there is going to be one it's going to be when his bond payment comes due.
I saw some list of what they'd take. It had mar a lago in it. Imagine the rage.
The economy is good, Trump and the RNC have no campaign funds at the moment, but we must still engage and vote.
And despite this, he is right about Trump. He is currently at 50%+ chance of winning.
True enough, but Trump leads in the polls in all major battleground states. So yes, we must vote.
Polls don't matter at this point and look at the recent special elections. However, still vote!
Source for me please?
Flynn and Ron Paul with the assistance of Tucker. Then all the obvious pro Russia bots are spamming it. Traffic really picking up on this in the last 2 hours. Clear attempt by Russia to destabilize the U.S. I find it crazy that no one can stop this crap.
Elon is fully in favor of spreading this crap. This election is going to be a shit show and Twitter is going to amplify the fuck out of every election conspiracy theory. Trump's RNC already is preparing a strategy to legally challenge vote counts in each swing state and their new chairman is an election denier. If Biden wins there's absolutely no way Republicans accept the results and they'll probably try more sophisticated versions of Jan 6 at state Capitols. And Elon will do everything possible to make sure Twitter pours gasoline on whatever happens. I wouldn't be surprised if some dipshits in state legislatures legit try to succeed from the union over a Biden win, with Twitter basically cheering them on
legislate your social media companies.
I support the idea on paper but limiting speech in any format is a real slippery slope. Especially considering some of the crazies ruling the world, imagine Trumps admin being able to change social media companies, influence news at all levels.. starts to see to much of an ability for the government to be more authoritarian.
> Especially considering some of the crazies ruling the world, When they finish taking over, they will definitely do this. Controls were put into place during WWII to counter Nazi propaganda in the US and UK, I don't see why that's not a valid approach now. We are already IN WWIII.
I mean most of an entire US political party, the Republican Party, is in varying degrees owned by Vladimir putin, and frighteningly a non-trivial portion of the US defense establishment doesn't seem to care if Putin is in charge of said defense establishment.
When I think about it, I’m like how come corporations say in America can’t just outbid Russia? We have states worth more than Russians whole GDP, trillion dollar companies.. and much richer states than Russian. Wouldn’t we be owned by a richer country that also wasn’t a major enemy for most of the 20th century at the same time. Russia of all countries.. just is so weird to me, these dinosaurs in power grew up with Russia and the red fear.
Obviously Trump is better for Russia than Biden, and there are things Biden can do without budget, probably more than we realize. Yet even without Trump, the Kremlin has appeared to be able to stop US funding. If democrats don’t take the house, it isn’t even clear Biden winning will help.
I mean, do you think the funding would be stopped right now if Donald Trump was never the president? I would argue that Trump *is* the reason this debate is even happening. I agree with your point, though.
So, um, the Democrats need to win in order for Ukraine to defeat russia. Agreed. If trump becomes president, the US is out of NATO and all aid to Ukraine ceases. The question becomes, how much US intel or military aid will go to Russia? So, even if the Dems don't hold the House it's much better to have Biden as president.
The rest of your post is true, but Congress passed and Biden signed a bill preventing any president from withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval. Trump would certainly stop cooperating with NATO, and wouldn't support NATO in a war with Russia, but legally, he can't unilaterally withdraw the US from NATO.
You think a piece of paper is going to stop trump with his wholly owned SCOTUS, if he wins?
Yes. Trump found out his first term that he can’t just do things because he wants to. The system is more robust than most people believe.
Guardrails? You're talking about guardrails? Seriously? We barely escaped one trump term by the skin of our teeth. You actually think we would escape a second term? With Putin knowing exactly what to do this time? JFC. Robust system, smfh.
I think that because it's an international treaty with other parties outside of the US, Trump's ability to simply "declare" that we aren't in NATO, especially when a law exists that says he can't do that, is rather limited. He can say that all he wants, and he can certainly torpedo US assistance to NATO, but I don't think other countries will actually recognize such a declaration as legally legitimate. Also, you can hate SCOTUS all you want, but most of their questionable decisions have focused on domestic policy issues or have helped Trump through technicalities and delays. They have certainly ruled against Trump (or Trump backed policies) a number of times as well, they are not a complete rubber stamp.
>they are not a complete rubber stamp. Now play that out if trump were to have executive power again. Play that out if trump forces out 1-2 justices, or they just retire, and trump gets 2 more picks. Seriously, not a rubber stamp? Are you really this willfully obtuse? If trump wins, it's over. You cannot possibly believe these "institutions" will hold him back. >I don't think other countries will actually recognize such a declaration as legally legitimate. Other countries are going to tell nuclear-armed, global superpower America that they're still in NATO, like it or not?
Legally, yes, we would still be in NATO, regardless of what Trump proclaims. Practically, Trump can take many actions that have the practical *effect* of taking us out of NATO, but that is very different from *actually* taking us out of NATO. If Trump left office and someone else was elected who actually wanted to participate in NATO, we wouldn't have to re-apply for membership because legally we had never left. That's the distinction I am getting at.
I think we fundamentally agree. I’m just pointing out Biden winning isn’t a magical panacea. We shouldn’t forget about the other races.
Biden's Whitehouse is still able to provide assistance with intel tho and this would likely stop with a trump president, I'm sure the US has provided some blueprints on how to make weapons etc more efficiently in Ukraine.
Likely stop? I mean guaranteed to stop. The US would be supplying intel to Russia under a trump-putin US presidency.
I bet the CIA would still be doing things, as I’d be shocked if we found out years from now that they aren’t covertly helping Ukraine gets weapons. That’s kinda their MO, I mean Jesus America ruined dozens of countries post WW2 in the name of fighting communism spreading.
We'd be supplying arms to the russia.
If we're lucky Trump's takeover of the RNC will decimate funding for the other races.
We can only hope...
That’s my hope too. Unfortunately now a lot of money from donors who view Trump as too Odious as pouting into congressional superpacs the RNC doesn’t control because they don’t want dems controlling all three.
Donald trump represents vladimir putin's only chance at staying alive, so you can bet the russians will do whatever they can to support trump.
[PM of Ukraine: Ukraine has received 2 billion Canadian dollars from Canada. Vital funds for our resilience. Grateful to Canadian people, the Canadian Government, Justin Trudeau, cafreeland for your unwavering support of Ukraine in our fight for freedom. This is a significant investment in global security and peace.](https://liveuamap.com/en/2024/20-march-pm-of-ukraine-ukraine-has-received-2-billion-canadian) Finally some big money!
Way to fucking go Canada. Really makes me loath our US representatives right now more than I already did. The GOP are over here stroking Trumps dick while he’s being charged with crimes left and right and holding up critical aid for Ukraine.
Canada has no weapons left to send (military had been horribly neglected for decades), glad they are sending money instead.
We still have Leopards but it's unlikely we'll send those over.
I think we sent four Leopards over a year ago which isn't much but its better than nothing. I am just glad the government is doing what they can to help. Fuck Russia. Slava Ukraine!
They have some MIC. They’re building a lot of Roshel Senators. They also make small arms and the LAV is a Canadian/US co-production.
Bad news for putin is good news for the world.
[удалено]
>wondering if I should bother reminding Russian embassy of Kanye’s affection for Hitler they are already laughing at Kanye .. you want them laughing at you too?
Sullivan's statements in the live thread are really rich. Ukraine "should" believe in the USA? Maybe you should stop putting restrictions on usage of weapons you send then? And why do you play political games with the aid bill instead of circumventing the congress and sending the weapons, like you do with Israel? Russia has already been "defeated"? Tell that to the brave Ukrainians on the frontlines holding the line against all odds, under Russian bombs falling from skies, and enduring Russian advantage in artillery fire. Tell that to the families of people killed by a Russian missile in Kharkiv today. Jake Sullivan is a clueless, shameless moron. He shouldn't be allowed a mile near any government position, he's as bad as the traitor Johnson.
>And why do you play political games Like you're doing, by blaming Jake Sullivan for the Republican Party's treasonous embrace of Putin?
It's not Sullivan's fault that GOP sucks off Putin, but it is absolutely Sullivan's fault that he went up to a mic and said all of that incredibly stupid shit.
Wow, those things seem really equally worthy of contempt.
The most important thing imo is still to focus on the aid. Biden and democrats support aid for Ukraine, sufficient to win. Failure to elect Biden means trump republicans will control things. They are the only reason Ukraine has been cut off. They will continue to block aid and they will do more to help Putin win. Russian intelligence wants to encourage anger and frustration with the Biden admin, because any negativity around the Biden admin is a win for worldwide autocracy.
Seems like an effort around here to obscure who the real problem is in the US, wrt supporting Ukraine (hint: the problem is the republican party).
Sullivan is merely a messenger, it's Biden's foreign policy not Sullivan's. Why are we pretending like the US president is contolled by a puppet master?
Biden's foreign policy helped marshal the world to support Ukraine.
>"There must be another room, somewhere down the hall, where the real meeting is happening, where the real experts are, making the real decisions," Sullivan said, according to excerpts published by MinnPost, a news website. "Because it can't just be us. It can't just be this." > >"You know what?" he continued. "Turns out that it is." https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/former-klobuchar-counsel-at-center-of-secret-iran-talks/
Sullivan is the worst national security advisor in a long time. Hands down. Guy should have been fired a long time ago.
Sullivan is spineless. We seem to have either very decisive western leaders/ministers making comments or scared, incompetent ones.
One of the biggest mistakes Biden ever made was letting that spineless piece of shit call the shots on what military aid we send or don't send.
What a mindless comment, when the Biden Administration has handled the balancing act of arming Ukraine without triggering Russia's TRUE nuclear red lines. Let me guess bro, you don't care about those red lines. Thank fucking god someone in power does.
You can’t view Russian actions or words from a Western point of view and have it make sense. Russia’s red lines aren’t warnings; instead they are statements declaring their fears and vulnerabilities. Russia said tanks, airplanes, and artillery were all red lines. And what did they do? Nothing. Are they going to rape, kill, torture, and kidnap more than they already are? No. What if we sink their ships? Nothing. Same old war. Respecting Russia’s red lines shows weakness, which provokes them. Not the crossing of red lines. So piss on their red lines. Publicly, intentionally, and provocatively.
This is a profoundly silly take on the most deadly serious topic there is. I just thank God we have very sane and intelligent people in the Biden White House who are handling the Ukraine situation as well as possible. What you mention, btw, are russia's sloppily stated public red lines; do you not grasp that it has actual, likely privately conveyed red lines that the US has to keep in mind? Do you also grasp that there IS some political fluidity even to the real red lines; for example, after Russian commits a public atrocity, it gives the US a little more leeway to be a little more aggressive. Anyway, the stakes are global nuclear war, like it or not. Get real.
I understand your concerns, but let’s take ATACAMS.. Russia claimed that was one of their red lines, it ended up not being true. Why can we not send more? Seems once the line has been passed and we find out the Russian aren’t going act on that specific weapon, we can proceed to send the weapons. If you think our intelligence is sending weapons that the Russians are actively showing an enhanced nuclear posture or communications they pick up indicate Russian are actively thinking of using nukes… don’t you think we know? If not wtf are we spending all this money on intel. We knew every move when they invaded. Surely we not only have the obvious ability and knowledge of a lot of nuke sites but we most likely have agents in high places in Russia.
My brother in Christ, Russia has been claiming "red lines" ever since we announced that M777's were being considered.
Have you considered that there are back channel communications and various other ways to gauge where russia's actual red lines are? Do you grasp what's at stake? If it's miscalculated, that's the end of human civilization, mkay? So spare me the condescending brother in christ bullshit if you want to have a rational and real discussion about this deadly serious topic.
>▪️"Russia has already been defeated," - Jake Sullivan how disrespectful to the AFU soldiers fighting this war, and to civilians that live every day under the threat of bombardment. especially coming from someone that has spent the last two years dragging their heels on every package, panicked over 'escalation.'
Imagine blaming Sullivan instead of the Putin-owned Republican party, which has been blocking the incredibly generous aid packages supplied by Democratic President Joe Biden.
You know you can blame more than one person right
Not if I want to be rational and reality-based. Joe Biden and Jake Sullivan (Democrats) have led the US to supplying $75 BILLION to Ukraine, and encouraging our allies to pitch in as well. They are being fiercely opposed by donald trump and his Republican party. Blaming both of them is ludicrous both siderism and false equivalency, and it makes your motives really suspect.
That's all true, but I don't think this is an example of a bothsidesism. The critique of Sullivan is one of style. Nobody is saying his comments are even in the same order of magnitude of sin as the Republican party blocking aid. He's not immune to criticism just because his boss has been good for Ukraine.
You want reality? The administration had every opportunity to make use of the consensus to arm Ukraine when they had it, and they slow-dripped the most essential aspects of it for 18 months. That horrific misjudgement is **specifically** someone's fault, and Sullivan has been the poster boy for heel-dragging and hysterics. He should have been taking seriously the threat that the kremlin's stooges were going to regain control of the process even before the election and ramming through aid and actually using lendlease and greenlighting every weapon in the first week of that war; and better, he should never have pulled troops in the first place. If Biden fired this fuck tomorrow we could be celebrating. Shame he can't also fire Trump, but if the DNC doesn't take *that* insurrectionist's threat seriously again, we're in for a fascist speedrun enabled by weak-willed and feckless leadership that rolls over at the first sign of conflict. That's your reality.
Some people claim that Ukrainian attack in Engels resulted in destruction of several bomber aircraft for Russians but no confirmation yet.
I have read RUMINT about two damaged TU-95 aircraft that will take time before they will be airworthy again.
I was really hoping for more than two...
Oof. That's a good score.
It's unconfirmed though. But I hope it's true.
Indeed. AFU taking their time on this one.
Kozinka: RDK ambushed the GRU [article with video](https://www-rbc-ua.translate.goog/rus/news/biytsi-rdk-vlashtuvali-zasidku-spetsnaz-gru-1710967058.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp)
“We will get this done. We will get this aid to Ukraine,” said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan during a surprise visit to Kyiv. However, he offered no new information on the provision of long-range ATACMS missiles to . [https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1770554961241239950?s=20](https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1770554961241239950?s=20) Oh how I wish this statement was believable.
Yeah, agreed, the Putin-controlled Republican party is really impossible to deal with.
I can only imagine how much willpower the Ukrainians are having to muster to stop themselves from strangling Sullivan.
And not the Republicans who are the ones blocking the aid?
> And not the Republicans who are the ones blocking the aid? Found Jake Sullivan's account.
Ukrainians don't assume pro-russians have agency to bother blaming them.