Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

How ‘Mild Bill’ Burns led a covert CIA campaign in Ukraine
The Washington Post ^ | January 17, 2025 4:55 PM EST | David Ignatius

Posted on 01/17/2025 5:37:52 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

No one would ever refer to CIA Director William J. Burns as “Wild Bill,” the nickname of William J. Donovan, who led the OSS, the agency’s swashbuckling predecessor, during World War II. But the self-effacing Burns has bravely commanded a CIA force in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago.

Burns had just returned from his 14th visit to Ukraine when I visited him in late December at CIA headquarters. Two days before, he had been with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. His trips are usually secret, but this time Zelensky posted a photo of the two shaking hands before a Ukrainian flag.

“Throughout this war, we’ve had many meetings, and I am deeply grateful for his assistance,” Zelensky wrote. “We don’t disclose secrets, but we keep in touch.”

Ukraine has been in many ways Burns’s war, more than for any other U.S. official. He warned Kyiv and the world in late 2021 that the Russians were coming by sharing highly sensitive U.S. intelligence. His CIA officers stayed on the ground after the Russian invasion began and after U.S. diplomats and military personnel had departed. They have been at the front for nearly three years, sharing intelligence to help Ukraine target Russian invaders.

Burns on a deeper level has been locked in an intelligence duel with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It’s not exactly George Smiley vs. Karla in John Le Carré’s novels, but it’s close. Burns first met Putin about 20 years ago as U.S. ambassador to Moscow, and he has been listening to Putin’s threats and boasts ever since.

Putin is “an emperor who is not quite fully clothed,” Burns tartly cabled Washington in 2007. In his 2019 memoir, “The Back Channel,” he memorably described the Russian leader: “Putin’s intimidating aura is often belied by his...”

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Humor
KEYWORDS: 2007; anthonyfauci; billburns; cia; davidignatius; foreignagent; foreignlobbyist; jeffreyepstein; warcriminal
Mildew Bill seems to have no qualms about admitting this was a proxy war from the very beginning.
1 posted on 01/17/2025 5:37:52 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Isn’t David Ignatius a CIA asset at best?


2 posted on 01/17/2025 5:39:12 PM PST by Paladin2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
--- " ...a covert CIA campaign in Ukraine...."

Imagine that. Three+ years of war, and there's a "covert CIA campaign in Ukraine?"

And the blind squirrels find nuts.

3 posted on 01/17/2025 5:41:14 PM PST by Worldtraveler once upon a time (Degrow government)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

“Ukraine has been in many ways Burns’s war”

Well he’s certainly BURNING what used to be a country in Europe, but now will be carved out to neighboring countries, at least if the Neocons get their way.


4 posted on 01/17/2025 5:42:21 PM PST by BobL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
often described as the finest State Department officer of his generation.

Who is going to lead America's worst diplomacy failure and strategic loss since Pearl Harbor.

Yeah, he's a real winner.

5 posted on 01/17/2025 5:51:00 PM PST by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Who didn’t know this was a CIA project initiated circa 2014/2014?

I’m pretty sure everyone did.

What color was Ukraine?


6 posted on 01/17/2025 5:53:41 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I’m curious does the CIA require legal authorization from Congress and the White House to operate like this?

How does this work that the CIA engages in acts of war against another nation on behalf of a third party?

Is there oversite for this or is this the CIA normal operating procedure of just doing what it thinks best?


7 posted on 01/17/2025 5:55:30 PM PST by MNJohnnie (Don't blame me, my congressman is MTG!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
Isn't this a crime?

. He warned Kyiv and the world in late 2021 that the Russians were coming by sharing highly sensitive U.S. intelligence

8 posted on 01/17/2025 5:56:37 PM PST by MNJohnnie (Don't blame me, my congressman is MTG!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mariner
What color was Ukraine?

the pussy hat pink revolution

9 posted on 01/17/2025 6:05:07 PM PST by AndyJackson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

The man who’s provoking the Nuclear destruction of the United States, lionized by the Washington Post. Fitting!


10 posted on 01/17/2025 6:39:27 PM PST by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie

Yes.
But it’s a crime in the furtherance of money laundering, corruption, and industrial scale death.
So it’s apparently okay.


11 posted on 01/17/2025 6:42:59 PM PST by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie
I’m curious does the CIA require legal authorization from Congress and the White House to operate like this?

When 70% or more of Congress are virtue-signaling, progressive uniparty cucks, the deep-state does what it wants

12 posted on 01/17/2025 6:45:52 PM PST by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Was it his job to carry back suitcases full of cash for the Bidens?


13 posted on 01/17/2025 6:49:38 PM PST by Colorado Doug (Now I know how the Indians felt to be sold out for a few beads and trinkets)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

A Ukrainian patriot should put a hole in Burn’s head .


14 posted on 01/17/2025 6:54:46 PM PST by OldHarbor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Another letter agency thing was Sarah Ashton-Cirillo and “transgender” spokesperson for Ukraine.

About
Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, formerly Sarah Cirillo and Sarah Ashton, is an American former journalist who has worked as a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces, in which she is a junior sergeant. Wikipedia
Born: 1977 (age 47 years), Florida
Other names: Sarah Ashton, Sarah Cirillo, Blonde
Political party: Democratic (U.S.)
Service / branch: Armed Forces of Ukraine
Years of service: October 2022–present


And:
https://www.news5cleveland.com/ukraine-military-s-sarah-ashton-cirillo-predicts-victory-in-2024


15 posted on 01/17/2025 7:42:43 PM PST by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AndyJackson

“the pussy hat pink revolution”

“Why am I Mr. Pink?”
“Because you’re a faggot, alright?


16 posted on 01/18/2025 3:16:05 AM PST by rxh4n1 ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

” But the self-effacing Burns has ‘bravely’ commanded a CIA force in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago.”

Brave Sir Bill.


17 posted on 01/18/2025 6:13:39 AM PST by dljordan (What would Michael Collins do?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson