POLITICO
Ukraine is doing something no one thought possible: defeating the Russian army and, in doing so, crippling one of America’s most dangerous adversaries. This is primarily a credit to the fortitude, patriotism, and skill of the Ukrainian people. But it’s also something Americans can take pride in — and not just because of our decisive role supplying weaponry and training.
For decades, Washington has invested in supporting the institutions that enabled Ukraine to take a different path than Russia, a path toward democracy and independence and away from autocracy and subservience, and to tackle corruption to serve citizens instead of fostering kleptocracy to steal from them. As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put it in his historic address to a joint meeting of Congress, U.S. support for Ukraine “… is not charity, it’s investment in global security and democracy.”
When Ukraine set about forging its democracy after breaking free from the Soviet empire in 1991, it faced an uphill battle. Nearly 70 years under communism had left Ukraine with weak institutions ill-equipped to manage the transition to the free market. Ukrainians were unfamiliar with democratic processes and norms. As in other former Soviet republics, the mismanaged privatization of state-owned enterprises created an oligarch class that left Ukraine’s government vulnerable to corruption and manipulation by the Kremlin.
Extraordinarily, Ukrainians have had three peaceful revolutions to push its course towards freedom — the break from Soviet control in 1991, the 2004 Orange Revolution ushering in pro-Western leadership and the 2014 Revolution of Dignity that deposed a Kremlin-backed president in favor of a pro-European future. This ushered in a new phase of reforms to strengthen the parliament, foster an independent judiciary, advance electoral integrity, decentralize decision-making and combat corruption.
Because of these efforts, Ukraine now has strong governing institutions — so strong that they have continued to function under the onslaught of Russia’s attack in the biggest war in Europe since the 1940s.
The Ukrainian people have created an independent democratic alternative to the vassal state Putin seeks — one that is worth fighting for. It is an outcome American tax dollars made possible by supporting programs to build democratic institutions from the ground up, beginning in the early days of independence and continuing today. With strong bipartisan support, nonprofits like the International Republican
Institute and the National Democratic Institute have worked with partners in Ukraine to establish and strengthen core elements of democracy — including transparent electoral processes, a vibrant multiparty system, devolution of power and rule of law.
An estimated 3,000 Ukrainians have resettled in Northeast Ohio since start of war
As we enter the 10th month of Russia’s brutal invasion, with a new U.S. Congress taking office, some elected officials — Republicans and Democrats — have questioned whether the aid America is providing, from weapons to reconstruction support to democracy assistance, is really in our national interest.
The strategic case for supporting Ukraine is sound: Ukrainians are fighting an American great-power adversary to defend the free world from the kind of wanton aggression that would destroy the U.S.-led order NATO exists to defend.
The resilience shown by Ukraine’s democratic institutions in the face of existential threat demonstrates not only the wisdom of America’s investment, but the reliability of Ukraine’s stewardship of U.S. assistance. It’s also a rejoinder to autocratic adversaries like Russia and China that peddle the fiction that some countries or cultures simply aren’t suited to democracy.
America must not squander the remarkable strategic dividends that U.S. taxpayers’ investment in Ukraine has yielded. In addition to providing military and reconstruction assistance, our long-term strategy for Ukraine must incorporate robust support for Ukraine’s democratic development so that the country doesn’t just survive this war but becomes even stronger as a bulwark of trans-Atlantic security — the blue and yellow shield standing between the free world and Putin’s predatory autocracy.
Polling shows that Ukrainians identify tackling corruption alongside restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity as their top concerns. Continued anti-corruption reform is crucial to Ukraine’s future prosperity and political integrity.
Supporting the Ukrainian people in their determination to eradicate graft should be a top priority for future assistance. Additionally, the ongoing process of decentralization is key to creating responsive government at all levels. Reconstruction funds should flow down to mayors, governors, and civil society, not just to the central government. Continuing to equip political parties and legislators with the skills they need to govern a post-war nation as it rebuilds will be crucial.
In his historic speech to the British Parliament 40 years ago, President Ronald Reagan observed that “Democracy is not a fragile flower; still, it needs cultivating.” Without continued nurturing, Ukraine’s gains — and by extension, America’s — are at risk.
The socioeconomic consequences of the war will challenge Ukraine’s institutions, even though they have proven robust throughout the conflict. To ensure transparency and accountability in post-war reconstruction, Washington must help the government keep its foot on the gas with critical anti-corruption reforms and strengthening the rule of law.
The worst possible outcome for Vladimir Putin would be for Ukraine not only to emerge victorious, but even more resolutely committed to pursuing a democratic, pro-Western future. If that happens, the return on America’s investment in Ukraine’s democracy would be incalculable.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/04/ukraine-democracy-investment-00076180
Gleeful Putin sends warship armed with hypersonic Zircon missiles past Britain on Atlantic mission - as 2023 death toll among Russian troops ‘nears 3,000’ four days into New Year
• Admiral Gorshkov set sail today armed with nuclear-capable Zircon missiles
• The warship will sail through the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean
• Putin said he is ‘very glad’ and the weapons will ‘ensure national interests’
By Will Stewart and Jack Newman For Mailonline
Published: 08:34 EST, 4 January 2023 | Updated: 12:06 EST, 4 January 2023
Vladimir Putin has gleefully launched a warship armed with new Mach 9 nuclear-capable hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles on a mission to challenge the West.
The Russian despot took part in an online ceremony with Sergei Shoigu to deploy the Admiral Gorshkov for its mission in which it will pass Britain to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and Mediterranean Sea, armed with one of the world’s deadliest weapons.
The vessel immediately fired a test launch of the nuclear-capable cutting-edge Zircon missiles, which travel at speeds of nearly 7,000mph, into the Barents Sea, hitting a target 620 miles away in the White Sea, the Kremlin claimed.
The new mission is set to take the Gorshkov from Severomorsk past Britain ahead of war games in the Mediterranean - but Moscow has yet to reveal the exact timings or route for the warship.
Putin as previously claimed the missiles have ‘no equivalent in the world’ and their arrival comes at a much-needed time for Russia after multiple setbacks in Ukraine, with nearly 3,000 troops lost already this year.
The tyrant could hardly contain his joy announcing the news today, saying: ‘I am sure that such powerful weapons will make it possible to reliably protect Russia from potential external threats and will help ensure the national interests of our country.’
The president proudly said today it was an ‘important, if not momentous, event’ as the vessel set sail in a task force from Severomorsk.
He added: ‘I am very glad. My congratulations. This is a very big, collective piece of work which ended up with a good result as expected. Begin your task.’
More than 10 months into the fighting, Russia has faced a series of humiliating setbacks on the ground in Ukraine.
The Russian military’s high command has come in for particular criticism in recent days following a strike by Ukrainian forces over New Year in which Moscow said 89 of its soldiers died.
Shoigu said today: ‘The main focus of the mission will be countering threats to Russia and supporting regional peace and stability together with friendly countries.
The nuclear-capable cutting-edge Zircon missiles, which travel at speeds of nearly 7,000mph, have ‘no equivalent in the world’, Putin has previously claimed
‘In exercises, there will be training for the crew on deploying hypersonic weapons and long-range cruise missiles,’ he said.
Shoigu said the Zircon missiles were ‘able to overcome any modern or future air defence’ and could deliver ‘pinpoint and powerful strikes against the enemy at sea and on land’.
Earlier TASS state news agency had stated: ‘It will perform its combat tasks in the Mediterranean Sea, with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles on board.’
The frigate had been undergoing scheduled maintenance at Kronstadt Marine Plant.
The new mission is expected to take the Gorshkov past the coast of the British Isles as it heads on a mission during the bloody conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
However, the Russians have not disclosed the exact routing or timings.
Moscow has boasted that the Gorshkov is ‘the most dangerous enemy of surface ships in the world’s oceans’ now it is armed with the new hypersonic missile.
It is also carrying state-of-the-art Kalibr missiles - used against Ukraine - in its armoury.
Russian media reports have said Zircon tests would be carried out during the voyage without saying at what stage.
The deployment of the sea-fired 6,670 mph missile with a range of some 625 miles follows tests in the Barents Sea.
Oleg Gladkiy, commander of the Russian Northern Fleet’s missile vessels, said:’The ship is armed with cruise missiles, including long-range and hypersonic Zirkon missiles.
‘Of course this carries a certain responsibility.’
Putin has taken a close interest in the development of the Zircon, a year ago announcing a ‘flawless’ salvo launch involving the new-era missile.
Earlier it was identified by Moscow’s state-controlled TV as
Putin’s weapon of choice to wipe out American cities in the event of an atomic conflict.
Putin has hailed ‘our newest [Zircon] missiles fired from the sea at sea targets, and land targets.
‘The tests were carried out successfully, flawlessly.
‘This is a big event for our country, a significant step in improving Russia’s security, in increasing (our) defence capability.’
He said it was in ‘serial production’, calling the weapon ‘truly unparalleled … in the world’.
TV Zvezda - a channel owned by the Russian defence ministry - said: ‘The speed of the Zircon hypersonic missile is so high that it prevents the opponent’s air defence system from detecting its impact in time.
‘In fact, its launch will be known only after the target has been hit.’
The missile has a ‘variable trajectory’ to avoid detection, viewers were told.
The frigate’s captain Igor Krokhmal has said previously: ‘No one will see the missile launch or its flight.
‘They will only see when the missile hits the target.
‘A surface target, a coastal target. I don’t think there will be anything to counter this in the next few years.’
He told Putin today: ‘The frigate’s crew is ready for military service.
The president said: ‘I am very glad, congratulations.
‘This was big, big work that finished with the good result we expected.
‘Start completing the tasks.’
Captain: ‘Yes sir.’
Putin: ‘Fair seas!’
[Photos & images at LINK]
Hahah. Anyone that still reads, much less believes western legacy media is a fool. Anyone that propagates it is a propagandist.