Posted on 01/30/2015 12:35:40 PM PST by UMCRevMom@aol.com
"Eight former U.S. national security practitioners — the two of us, plus former U.S. representative to NATO Ivo Daalder, former undersecretary of defense Michèle Flournoy, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, former deputy undersecretary of defense Jan Lodal, former NATO European commander James Stavridis and former U.S. European Command deputy commander Charles Wald — come together issuing following recommendations for immediate action. (releasing Monday report: “Preserving Ukraine’s Independence, Resisting Russian Aggression: What the United States and NATO Must Do.”)
First, White House and Congress must commit serious money to Ukraine’s defense: $1 billion in military assistance this fiscal year, followed by additional $1 billion each in fiscal year 2016 and 2017. Congress should not only authorize assistance, as it did in the Ukraine Freedom Support Act last year, but also appropriate funds.
Second, U.S. government should alter its policy and begin providing lethal assistance to Ukraine. Most of the above funds would go to nonlethal assistance. For example, the Ukrainian army desperately needs counter-battery radars to pinpoint the source of enemy rocket and artillery fire, which cause about 70 percent of Ukrainian casualties.
But the Ukrainians also need some defensive arms, particularly light anti-armor weapons. The antitank missiles in the Ukrainian inventory are more than 20 years old, and a large proportion of them do not work. U.S. anti-armor weapons could fill a crucial gap.
Third, the U.S. government should approach other NATO member states about assisting Ukraine, particularly those countries that operate former Soviet equipment and weapons systems compatible with Ukraine’s hardware. If the United States moves to provide lethal assistance, we believe that some other NATO countries will do so as well.
Time is urgent. Spring arrives in three months in eastern Ukraine, and fighting could then achieve new intensity. We should help the Ukrainians deter that."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Putler’s on the march, yes, I am sure we can help and will.
So what is your point?
The American Revolution was actually a brutal civil war. Hmmm - sounds familiar.
Ukrainian parliament voted to oust their tyrant. Well, gee. Unfortunately, that is not how their constitution works. Imagine (in America) if a democrat congress just "voted" out a Republican president and installed their own guy. What would you call it? At the very least - ILLEGAL.
Maybe yes that there are Russian soldiers in eastern Ukraine. So far the evidence shows that the vast majority of the rebels are not Russian.
The bottom line is what is worth of sending billions to Ukraine to support an illegal government? Is this worth even ONE American death?
Let them sort it out.
“First, White House and Congress must commit serious money to Ukraine’s defense:”
It’s always about the money.
Ukraine government has given a summons to Oliver Stone as to where he met with Yanukovych.
Summon him on crimes from the snipers shooting protests to pillaging the treasury. Hardly sounds like the brainwashed rubbish we hear from Putin defenders.
Illegal or not, this is the bed they made. We should never get into another war until we have a good house cleaning.
Sometimes working within the law fails to effect meaningful change. If the end result is a chance at liberty, screw the law.
Maybe yes that there are Russian soldiers in eastern Ukraine.
No, there ARE Russian soldiers fighting in the Eastern Ukraine! There are multiple recorded examples of Russians that have been killed, captured, or who have defected to the Ukrainians. A significant number of these Russians are Chechen Muslims who operate as mercenaries for the Russian Government. These Chechens are all too eager to commit war crimes and atrocities against civilians. Nevermind the fact that the NovoRussian "rebels" are Socialists and are persecuting non-Russian Orthodox Christians in the areas that they control.
The bottom line is what is worth of sending billions to Ukraine to support an illegal government? Is this worth even ONE American death?
We don't have to give away money, all we need to do is sell them cheap anti-armor weapons, and counter-battery radar systems. No one is suggesting an American ground force. The consequences of letting Ukraine fall into Russian hands would be grave, it would embolden not only Putin, but also the Chinese, North Koreans, and Iranians. Pretty soon, everybody will all want to embark on their own wars of conquest. Better to nip this in the bud.
Then they're stupid.
But that is not possible.
What are the Ukrainians supposed to do, surrender meekly and hope Comrade Putin isn’t too harsh?
And a 19 foot sailboat has right-of-way over the Queen Mary II.
However, on crossing courses, if you are the sailboat, my advice is to bear off.
Russia has, and always will have, interests in Ukraine (except Lviv/Lwow/Lemberg) that dwarf those of the NATO states.
Obama won’t life a finger to help Ukraine.
Well, they could go down fighting, but I hope they're not that stupid.
The cavalry is not coming.
We don’t have to provide cavalry, we just need to sell them the stuff they need.
That’s why to me a split makes the most sense, Western Ukraine can join NATO, the EU, whatever....that might be the best deal they’re going to get.
The boat reference should be two Queen Mary's playing chicken. You take the Russian side I will take NATO and the US'.
One could say Vladimir was fraudulently elected as well, talk about his popularity but see what “fraud” and “Putin” gets one.
Besides, Russia fought Chechnya 2 times, Afghanistan 1 time in recent memory. Not exactly smashing victories.
And tons of ISIS are from the former USSR, how high, I’m not sure but there are a lot there. That would be all Russia would need to deal with.
Exactly. Let Europe deal with it. We should be thinking about taking over Mexico.
If we have a compulsory moral imperative to take in their economically dispossessed, their sick, their orphans, refugees from rampant crime and political corruption, then it’s not to far of a stretch to extend that to fixing all of Mexico after we take it over.
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