Posted on 12/14/2023 9:25:43 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
Previous day’s thread: https://freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/4203242/posts
Summarizing this war:
A tragedy for Ukraine.
A disaster for RuZZia.
A strategic win for the USA.
“Why Internet Trolls Do What They Do and How to Spot Russian Fakes”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLtBzvw0—0
“Here is the best-kept secret about U.S. military aid to Ukraine: Most of the money is being spent here in the United States. That’s right: Funds that lawmakers approve to arm Ukraine are not going directly to Ukraine but being used stateside to build new weapons or to replace weapons sent to replace weapons sent to Kyiv from U.S. stockpiles. Of the $68 billion in military and related assistance Congress has approved since Russia invaded Ukraine, almost 90 percent is going to Americans, one analysis found.”
https://twitter.com/TheDeadDistrict/status/1730119780873441750
“Putin says war will go on unless Kyiv does a deal“
NO DEAL. Sorry, Indicted War Criminal Little Pukin. Many more RuZZian Boys need to die before any ‘deal’.
Central Texas man dies in Ukraine
“Cedar Park man killed by fighting in Ukraine”
“A Cedar Park man who traveled to Ukraine to offer humanitarian assistance has been killed in the fighting.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Irish media that Graham Dale, 45, died last week while fighting for the Ukrainian Army, according to Irish Public Service Broadcaster RTÉ.
Dale was a Marine veteran and Irish-American citizen who lived in Cedar Park.”
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/cedar-park-man-killed-by-fighting-in-ukraine/
“A new video from SBU unit ‘A’ with an overview of destroyed Russian equipment in 2 weeks time. Among them: 15 tanks, 31 APC’s, 10 artillery systems, 11 EW-systems, 86 various vehicles, 95 UAVs, 1 recon complex, 1 boat, 39 firing positions, 78 fortifications and 3 ammo warehouses.”
https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1735300854868062500
“The 79th Air Assault Brigade destroyed several pieces of Russian heavy equipment as well as Russian personnel during two days of fighting.”
https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1735299690608914688
“Estonia provides Ukraine with a new military aid package worth €80 million. It includes Javelin anti-tank missiles, machine guns, ammunition for light weaponry, various vehicles and vessels and diving equipment.’
https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1735276857224814704
“Germany is financing the delivery of 68,000 155mm artillery shells from a French defence company to #Ukraine for 278 million euros. A further 282,000 shells can be ordered, produced and delivered via the framework agreement. Other countries can also participate in the project, as it is part of the EU’s 1 million shell pledge. This has just been announced by the German Ministry of Defence.”
https://twitter.com/deaidua/status/1735325480989909254
“Russian 122mm artillery system 2S1 «Gvozdika» was taken out of action by the Ukrainian 72nd Mechanised Brigade in Vuhledar direction with FPV kamikaze drones.”
https://twitter.com/GloOouD/status/1735203812875329780
The Ukraine is not going to recover this. Their only hope is a negotiated settlement with your hero Pooty Poot.
Sadly, that’s what happens when noses are where they shouldn’t be.
“Ukraine has seemingly moved one step closer to European Union membership after leaders in Brussels on Thursday agreed to open negotiations with the war-torn nation.
In a surprise announcement late Thursday, EU summit chair Charles Michel, who is the European Council president, said leaders had decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/14/eu-leaders-agree-to-start-membership-talks-with-ukraine-.html
A significant step in Ukraine’s move from under Russia’s boot. It won’t be cheap for the EU, but it does place the burden on them, and away from the US. A couple days ago, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister stated that he had spoken to Hungary’s FM, and that he was assured there would be no block. I was skeptical, but Victor Orban did indeed lift his veto. I wonder what he received in return.
They also began the process for Moldova. In a somewhat strange statement, the EU ambassador to Moldova said Moldova could join the EU without Transnistria.
We’ll see, I see it differently. Ukraine “offensive” territorially was not a success, but let’s see what Russia has to fight with after winter is over.
Funny how a dozen vehicles destroyed by Russians was proof the end was over for the Ukrainians, yet hundreds destroyed in adiivka is responded with Russia has lots in storage
Perhaps they can finally take bakmut by spring
Then off to Odessa
“(EU) leaders had decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.”
That is one of the big decisions that were pending (the others being EU aid to Ukraine, NATO accession for Sweden, and American aid to Ukraine).
Victory for Ukraine, and the forces of freedom.
Bad news for Orc World.
“Victor Orban did indeed lift his veto. I wonder what he received in return.”
He got ten billion euros of EU money for Hungary unblocked, out of thirty that were frozen (he has a few more votes to cough up for the rest - EU funding for Ukraine, NATO accession for Sweden).
On the flip side, the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline that carries natural gas from Russia to Hungary, passes through Ukraine. It would be a shame if something were to happen to that. Ukraine has not renewed its transshipment agreement with Russia.
The EU package of aid for Ukraine, is bundled with a lot of goodies for Hungary’s Orban, in addition to the expected unfreezing of 20 Billion more Euros of EU direct funding to Hungary, if he goes along with the aid for Ukraine, and the NATO accession of Sweden.
Reuters reports:
“Hungary has been keen on more EU funds to protect its borders from illegal migrants and pay third countries to keep migrants from crossing into Europe. The EU budget review, apart from the 50 billion for Ukraine, also has an additional 15 billion euros for such polices.”
“It won’t be cheap for the EU (aid and EU admittance for Ukraine), but it does place the burden on them, and away from the US.”
Some have speculated that US aid to Ukraine for FY 2024 was contingent on EU approving their aid first (to avoid the old bait and switch, by which the Europeans often renege on their commitments, and stick the USA with the bill - conveniently blaming Orban).
If this domino falls today, the prospects for American aid approval rise.
“The Ukraine is not going to recover this.”
If the EU and American aid for FY 2024 are approved, Ukraine will be funded for another new Counter-Attack Corps, to have another run at cutting off Crimea - this time with air cover from F-16s.
No new money going to Russia - just new sanctions.
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