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U.S. Wants to See Russia Weakened, Says Defense Secretary Austin
Wall Street Journal via MSN ^ | 25 April 2022 | William Mauldin, Thomas Grove

Posted on 04/25/2022 6:40:28 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Russia’s military capabilities should be degraded after he and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and announced more U.S. military aid to the country.

“We want to see Russia weakened to the degree that it can’t do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine,” Mr. Austin said Monday after the highest-level visit of U.S. officials to Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Mr. Blinken said: “Russia is failing, Ukraine is succeeding.”

In what could be a significant escalation of the conflict on Monday, large fires broke out at fuel-storage facilities in the Russian region of Bryansk, some 60 miles from the border with Ukraine, as well as at a nearby military fuel depot, Russian state media said. Russian missiles struck railroad targets in central Ukraine early Monday.

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


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Russia
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To: pghoilman

Good for you.


121 posted on 04/25/2022 7:42:38 PM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: kabar

I didn’t catch the whole thing, but did Austin or Blinken actually say the words “grind down” Russia, obviously using the Ukes to do it?

I can understand that reasoning (not the same as agreeing with it if Ukraine is utterly laid waste in the process), but to say it openly at a press conference in Ukraine? Whew...


122 posted on 04/25/2022 9:48:22 PM PDT by Paul R. (You know your pullets are dumb if they don't recognize a half Whopper as food!)
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To: Widget Jr
Austin is stating the obvious. Of course the U.S. wants Russia to have a weaker military. So does everyone else in Europe right now. Why is this so hard to understand?

“We want to see Ukraine remain a sovereign country, a democratic country able to protect its sovereign territory. We want to see Russia weakened to the point where it can’t do things like invade Ukraine.”

This is a stunning bombshell! How could he say something so controversial? Quick, someone call Putin and apologize!

123 posted on 04/25/2022 11:57:56 PM PDT by ETCM
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To: Kazan

“Our policy hasn’t been anti-Russia for beginning of Putin’s term.”

What do you mean “our”.

Btw, isn’t Kazan a city in Russia?


124 posted on 04/26/2022 1:46:53 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: AndyJackson

Nope, far from sleazy.

You, jn post 46 wrote “So official US policy is to undermine and attack vital Russian national interests”

My followup question to you is logical: “Russian national interest to threaten and invade its neighbours?”

Do you think that?


125 posted on 04/26/2022 1:48:53 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: Cronos

From Russia’s point of view, they were asked by those in the Donbas region to help stop Ukrainian armed forces from daily assaults on them.

In Russia’s eyes, they want to take away Ukraine’s ability to assault its own people.


126 posted on 04/26/2022 3:00:14 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (We are being played by forces most do not understand)
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To: HighSierra5

“They’ve been trying to weaken us forever.”

Yeah those Russians moving their border closer to NATO the last 25 years... oh wait...


127 posted on 04/26/2022 3:12:24 AM PDT by captain_jonas
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To: Widget Jr

Soros thanks you for your contribution


128 posted on 04/26/2022 3:15:34 AM PDT by captain_jonas
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To: Erik Latranyi

The dementia Puppets handlers want to escalate this war… need it for November…

They intentionally started it and continue to try their best to goad it into a larger conflict…


129 posted on 04/26/2022 3:26:18 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
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To: HamiltonJay
The dementia Puppets handlers want to escalate this war… need it for November… They intentionally started it and continue to try their best to goad it into a larger conflict

Yes, and we have many FReepers that fully endorse Biden's foreign policy of taking us to war with Russia.

130 posted on 04/26/2022 3:34:11 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (We are being played by forces most do not understand)
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To: Paul R.

“We want to see Ukraine remain a sovereign country, a democratic country able to protect its sovereign territory. We want to see Russia weakened to the point where it can’t do things like invade Ukraine.”

Dumb to state this publicly. Helps Putin domestically and coveys the impression that Ukrainian lives are just a means to degrade Russian military capabilities. Callous and cynical.


131 posted on 04/26/2022 4:48:55 AM PDT by kabar
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To: Widget Jr

Who exactly is weakening Russia’s military capabilities? Whose blood is being shed to achieve that objective? What level of destruction of Ukraine will we accept to degrade Russia’s military? What is the definition of winning?

If we deem the weakening of Russia’s military capabilities so important, why not put US and NATO troops on the ground and in the air?


132 posted on 04/26/2022 5:00:40 AM PDT by kabar
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To: Erik Latranyi

WOW, Austin, that is exactly what I would do...BLAST OUR MOST SECRET PLAN TO WEAKEN RUSSIA.

From what background do these people come.

Not a graduate of the Kissinger School of Diplomacy, I take it.


133 posted on 04/26/2022 6:55:28 AM PDT by Maris Crane
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To: Erik Latranyi
It's always been the plan:

RAND Corporation: Overextending and Unbalancing Russia

134 posted on 04/26/2022 6:55:36 AM PDT by montag813
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To: SoCal Pubbie

First to to remember. Russia is not European, they are descendants of the Mongol Horde and Byzantine empire.

Both had a rather simple assumption of foreign policy. You were either directly ruled by them, or in rebellion to them. In short, there is no legitimate state that can exist outside of their control. Anyone outside of their control are in rebellion to God/Heaven, and must be controlled by influence or force.

So any action that displeases Russia is viewed as illegal, immoral, and damning.

The US does similar things, but we typically lose interest rather quickly. The benefit of not having a foreign power invade in over 200 years.


135 posted on 04/26/2022 8:01:47 AM PDT by redgolum (If this is civilization, I will be the barbarian. )
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To: HighSierra5

People have to remember how Russia and China supported North Vietnam and North Korea against us. Not to mention Cuba.

My wife and I knew a Marine Sniper, who served 3 tours in Nam.

He was so effective, Russia, China and North Vietnam had bounties out to reward anyone who killed him.


136 posted on 04/26/2022 10:21:41 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Anyone, who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.!" ~ (Voltaire)!!bri)
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To: redgolum

I wonder how many times Russia has been the invader in the last 200 years?


137 posted on 04/26/2022 11:44:30 AM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: SoCal Pubbie

Let me see.

Napoleon
Hitler
A few times from what is now China.
Germany (Kaisereich).

I am sure I am missing a few.


138 posted on 04/26/2022 11:51:44 AM PDT by redgolum (If this is civilization, I will be the barbarian. )
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To: redgolum

You misread my post, obviously!


139 posted on 04/26/2022 12:05:41 PM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
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To: SoCal Pubbie

You know, small screens and typing while walking do not mix.


140 posted on 04/26/2022 12:19:25 PM PDT by redgolum (If this is civilization, I will be the barbarian. )
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