Ukraine’s fight for freedom can only succeed if allies continue helping Ukrainians. #StopRussianAggression
https://twitter.com/MoD_Estonia/status/1735242588116992154
Posted on 12/14/2023 9:25:43 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
“the EU ambassador to Moldova said Moldova could join the EU without Transnistria.”
Russian troops are currently occupying the Moldovan Province of Transnistria, like Soviet troops occupied East Germany, when Germany joined the EU and NATO.
Some had proposed that Europe not dare admit a country with an outstanding territorial dispute with Russia.
But they do dare, and Putin is locking up another Strategic defeat for his Orc World (Russki Mir) vision of the future.
What is the Plan B, if Orban vetoes aid to Ukraine?
Countries in the EU fund it outside of EU, and partially offset the cost by withdrawing their contributions to the EU, which are earmarked for Hungary.
“Congress has approved legislation that would prevent any president from withdrawing the United States from NATO without approval from the Senate or an Act of Congress.
The measure, spearheaded by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), was included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which passed out of the House on Thursday and is expected to be signed by President Biden.”
US News and World Report:
“WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke about Sweden’s application to join the NATO alliance, White House spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday.
Kirby also told reporters at a briefing he would not be surprised if the issue of F-16 fighter jets was also discussed during the call.
“They talked about NATO and Sweden’s accession,” he said. “I certainly wouldn’t be surprised at all if it was also raised that we continue to support a modernization program for their F-16s.”...
...Turkey had asked in October 2021 to buy 40 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighters and 79 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.
The Biden administration backs the $20 billion sale, but there have been objections in the U.S. Congress over Turkey’s delaying of NATO enlargement to bring in Sweden, and over its human rights record.”
Russian base in Mariupol just got hit bigtime.
Coal and Nuclear are back on the menu for the EU - Because Putin
EU Reaches Provisional Deal on Electricity Market Reform
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/EU-Reaches-Provisional-Deal-on-Electricity-Market-Reform.html
“The European Union and the European Parliament reached on Thursday a provisional deal to reform the EU’s electricity market design to make power prices less dependent on volatile fossil fuel prices.
The EU is seeking to reform the way its electricity market works to avoid a repeat of last year’s energy crisis which hit households and industries with soaring power prices.
The reform is also aimed at shielding consumers from price spikes, accelerating the deployment of renewable energies, and improving consumer protection.
The deal now needs to be endorsed and formally adopted by both the EU Council and the European Parliament to come into effect.
The agreement would pave the way for EU member states to support nuclear power-generating facilities via two-way contracts for difference (CfDs).
The deal would also allow coal-fired plants to receive subsidies to provide backup electricity during energy crises.”
The Austin Chronicle recommends:
“20 Days in Mariupol This harrowing, you-are-there documentary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is essential viewing – and you can watch it for free on PBS Frontline’s YouTube channel right now.”
I have not seen it.
ISW presents arguments for supporting Ukrainian victory, as the low cost option:
THE HIGH PRICE OF LOSING UKRAINE
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine
Failing to support equipment a foreign customer bought from you is a bad idea. Whether we are willing to sell them new BLK 70 F-16s (we already shut them out of the F-35) is a whole other kettle of fish. I think Turkey is already looking at the latest Eurofighter Typhoon as an alternative to new Vipers.
“BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union countries agreed on a 12th package of sanctions against Russia, the European Council said on Thursday, meaning that a phased ban on Russian diamond imports among other measures will come into effect from Jan. 1.
The EU has been adding sectoral and individual sanctions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 in an attempt to cut off revenues and military equipment feeding Moscow’s war machine...
...The new sanctions package includes a direct ban on Russian non-industrial diamond imports from Jan. 1 and a phased ban on diamond imports from third countries starting from March in alignment with the Group of Seven (G7) countries.
Other measures include tightening the proof required from companies who claim they adhere to the G7 Russian oil price cap. The package also added measures to prevent Russia from obtaining dual-use goods by making EU companies have their counterparties on certain products sign contracts prohibiting re-export to Russia.
A notification procedure for Russian citizens or entities in Russia wishing to transfer more than 100,000 euro ($109,920.00) out of the EU was also included.”
“The EU has granted Georgia candidate status, at a meeting of the European Council. (https://oc-media.org/eu-grants-georgia-candidate-status/ )
The council made up of the leaders of EU member states, announced the decision on Thursday evening. They also announced the EU would open accession negotiations with fellow Eastern Partnership members Ukraine and Moldova, keeping them one step ahead of Georgia in entering the bloc.”
“Russian base in Mariupol just got hit bigtime.”
Do tell...
“What Russian occupied Mariupol is Ukraine doing Russia? 🤷
Powerful explosions thundered in the area of the 23rd microdistrict, heard by the whole city, after which a fire broke out. A strong glow is observed”
https://twitter.com/kvistp/status/1735434611356787098
” After the explosion, a massive fire broke out at a concrete plant in the temporarily occupied Mariupol.
Coincidentally, the Russian military was stationed on the territory of this plant”
https://twitter.com/tvtoront/status/1735427095294087644
Emboldened by battlefield gains and flagging Western support for Ukraine, a relaxed and confident President Vladimir Putin said Thursday there would be no peace until Russia achieves its goals, which he says remain unchanged after nearly two years of fighting. (Dec. 14)
Ukraine’s fight for freedom can only succeed if allies continue helping Ukrainians. #StopRussianAggression
https://twitter.com/MoD_Estonia/status/1735242588116992154
“Remember how sad I (Vlad0) was going to be when the aid for Ukraine was approved?”
The EU seems likely to vote on 50 Billion more Euros for Ukraine tomorrow (maybe Saturday, if they go into overtime).
Today they approved starting formal negotiations to admit Ukraine to the EU (also Moldova and Georgia), and passed the 12th sanctions package on Russia. Victor Orban left the room as pre-arranged, so that the Ukraine measure could pass (he received ten billion euros for Hungary, that were unfrozen in the last week).
The 2024 EU budget that contains the 50 Billion euros for Ukraine, also contains big sweetners for Orban, that he has long sought (e.g. 15 Billion for immigration control, and lots for Hungary directly).
The US Senate delayed its planned Christmas recess, and will remain in session next week, working on the compromise over aid to Ukraine ($61 Billion) and Border/Amnesty controls.
When those packages are approved over the coming days and weeks, Ukraine will have more money for the war in 2024, than Russia. More than enough to fund another major counter-offensive, this time with F-16 coverage, and other lessons learned.
Looks like a good chance to get to a total of 500,000 Russian casualties by the end of 2024, which Russian planners had viewed (internally, reportedly) as a constraint at the start of the invasion, as well as significant depletion of the old Soviet arsenals, and the remaining liquidity in the National Wealth Fund (then kiss the ruble goodbye, and say hello to Turkish/Argentinian inflation).
Sanna fondly remembers your support.
US troops & equipment will now have permanent presence.
US forces have ready defense plans to defend Finland together with Finnish Defence Forces in case Russians attack Finland
https://twitter.com/TallbarFIN/status/1735284645145551227
Putin did that!
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