Very excellent commentary. The Putin supporters are a thoroughly disgusting and disgraceful bunch, but the Ukrainians and even the Europeans are fully measuring up. I am a Republican but not this year.
Another insightful comment Diane! As a Canadian, I am dismayed at our woeful capacity to support Ukraine. For far too long our governments have short changed our military by relying on the US.
You are not alone. Canada is an embarrassment to the world - our so-called leader has done nothing but reduce Canada's military to pellet gun status. OUR brave men that are a part of the military are struggling - AND that is the most egregious issue yet!
I agree with your assessment that Navalny's death may have shaken up many Republicans who may not have fully come to terms that they have become a wing of Putin's party. Nikki Haley's quote is indicative of that. But my experience has been that Trump supporters are no longer the Americans of my earlier years who would conduct themselves by Voltaire's famous quote: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." They do not want to listen, and if they do, they will be in disbelief of whatever criticism one may have of Trump.
But Putin - for all his shrewdness - may hay have misestimated the ramifications of Navalny's death. He has now transformed Russia from an authoritarian state to a totalitarian state. Navalny's death comes at a time of critical importance for Congressional funding and - as you noted so well - brought home to Europeans the true identity of the monster they are facing and the importance of supporting Ukraine - with or without U.S. support. In addition to Denmark's offering Ukraine all of its military ordnance, the Czech president has stated that he would be able to provide Ukraine with 800,000 155 and 122 mm shells within a few weeks if money is found.
It is also very important that Europe open up more of Russia's frozen assets sooner than is now contemplated. While the U.S. (and probably Canada) would be prepared to turn over all of the $5-6 billion it holds in its banks, the bigger part ($300 billion) is held by Europe - especially Brussels. But they intend to turn over only the earnings from those assets - less than $2 billion. The rest would be held as "reparations"......closer to the end of the war. Just think of the impact on Putin if it were known that the full amount would be available to ensure that Ukraine never runs short of what it needs to win. It may be that European banks want to milk those funds a bit longer, but this may be the time for Ukraine to pressure those banks by pointing out how much fairer and more just it would be that the bastards are made to pay for the armaments and surface to air defenses Ukraine needs to beat them down.
Lastly, although I think it is very likely that Ukraine will raise the additional 200,000 soldiers it needs, the time and cost of training and equipping such a force will take months.
I fully agree with your conclusion that - if several things break in Ukraine's favor - Ukraine may win by next year (Trump or no Trump) BUT the next several months may well become the most difficult ones. By mid-summer, I think that Ukraine will regain the initiative and - at least - break through to the sea from whence it will make Russian reinforcement and resupply very problematic.
Your point about the frozen $$$ of Russia is well taken. The pressure of the release of Russian $$$ to support & pay for Ukr's defence, now, is what has to be front & center. Which leader among the free world will take up the cause & push for it will be very interesting. I do wish Boris Johnson was still in power in UK - he'd be a force to push this hard & succeed. (in my humble opinion)
The good news is that the Senate Foreign Relations committee has approved (20 to 1)
a bill known as the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukraine Act (REPO for Ukraine Act). Unless the real Putin agents in Congress are inclined to come out of the closet, it should get through the House easily enough because no US $ is involved.The bill places responsibility with the Sec of State and the UAAID to set up an account to receive these funds from US banks and then move those funds to an international "compensation mechanism" that is to collect the funds that EU banks are holding and start doling them out. But the US does not have authority over EU banks as centered in Brussels. So - at best - the $ that the US puts in, when added to the rest of the world and G- 7 that may be holding the $ will total an est.$ 10 billion because all the rest may decide to simply put in the earnings (interest) on the principal rather than the totals they are holding.
So the bad news is that the $ may not be available when most needed....except for the amounts contributed.
Although all banks are preparing to give up the $, and people are meeting to establish the receiving
/distribution mechanism, the process ,from where it is today, may take another couple of months to set up. Which is where someone like Boris Johnson would be very helpful.
I totally agree with your list. You are too kind in words BUT, I have been 'tweeting' (or X'ing if you wish) to all the leaders in NATO that it is time to have an emergency clause in membership made AND get UKR membership done NOW - there is NO time to waste here.
one concern only - have not seen the UK stand up like Boris Johnson did at the onset of the invasion of UKR. I am stunned at the inability of USA to function - paralyze their entire nation - with no 'out' as far as I have seen or witnessed. The danger created by this rogue party of tRUMP's cronies is stunning. BUT, to see how ill prepared Europe is to react to Russia/Putin is _______ . Great report Diane - was looking forward to it this morning.
Thanks for your insightful comments on Russia and its current Ivan the Terrible.
A few years ago while in Washington I asked Nikolas Sarkosy to opine on Russia's future. He said that the West has always underestimated and overestimated Russia. He also said that after the humiliating breakup of the Soviet Union and the ensuing internal financial, political and social upheavals, the West would be well advised to adopt a " hands off " approach to Russia failing which it would inevitably try to regain lost territory. He was discretely dismissive of the State Department and CIA's interference in Russia's internal affairs and warned that it would force Russia to reciprocate.
I am possibly naive but the murder of the courageous Mr. Navalny may wake up many nations to the existential threat Putin is capable of and 'inspire' them to pull up their socks and support Ukraine not with the diminutive wishy washy comment 'as long as it takes' but help this courageous country win the war asap. If this does happen Mr Navalny's personal sacrifice will not be in vain.
I believe his murder was timed to correspond with the conference in Munich of all those nations. Putin was telling them that he is able. What will their response be?
As usual so insightful and right on point. Putin's "special operation" is essentially a declaration of War on Europe and that's the way it should be interpreted by the UN, EU, NATO and so on. So many lives have been lost on both sides with more to come, and many will live out their lives with significant injuries, millions of refugees are not able to return home (maybe never) and there's no end in sight for this War. The Ukrainians need our support now to preserve democracies, and the US is playing politics with people's lives. So shameful! It would be a travesty to see Russia win this war after investing billions and so many human lives to see Putin win. Putin is importing recruits from other countries, why can't we do the same? After all, there is a limited supply of Ukrainians. The UN must declare Russia a rogue/terrorist country while under the direction of Putin and before the upcoming election. The World needs to wake up. If not, Putin will be emboldened to take over other Baltic countries and continue his interference in other regions like what he did in Syria, what he's doing now in the Middle East and other regions. Then there is the information war using technology. Go figure?
sure hope you are right ....but the war drags on and on...zelensky complained that monies and equipment promised by trudeau more than a year ago still has not materialized....did putin calculate that western leadership is weak and will not stay the course???trudeau has failed to truly support ukraine ....for example he could supply germany with oil and gas but refused to do so ....such a move would have hurt russia... trump is an idiot but trudeau not far behind.....for example quebec continues to attack english quebecers and yet trudeau does nothing......i hope criminal proceedings will end the trump nightmare.....and who knows jagmeet may soon end his devils deal with trudeau...
Very excellent commentary. The Putin supporters are a thoroughly disgusting and disgraceful bunch, but the Ukrainians and even the Europeans are fully measuring up. I am a Republican but not this year.
Another insightful comment Diane! As a Canadian, I am dismayed at our woeful capacity to support Ukraine. For far too long our governments have short changed our military by relying on the US.
You are not alone. Canada is an embarrassment to the world - our so-called leader has done nothing but reduce Canada's military to pellet gun status. OUR brave men that are a part of the military are struggling - AND that is the most egregious issue yet!
Unfortunately, it’s unclear to me from any of our leaders where they stand on the issue. Does anyone know? It will matter to my vote!
define 'our' leaders
Current nominal heads of the 3 federal parties.
I agree with your assessment that Navalny's death may have shaken up many Republicans who may not have fully come to terms that they have become a wing of Putin's party. Nikki Haley's quote is indicative of that. But my experience has been that Trump supporters are no longer the Americans of my earlier years who would conduct themselves by Voltaire's famous quote: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." They do not want to listen, and if they do, they will be in disbelief of whatever criticism one may have of Trump.
But Putin - for all his shrewdness - may hay have misestimated the ramifications of Navalny's death. He has now transformed Russia from an authoritarian state to a totalitarian state. Navalny's death comes at a time of critical importance for Congressional funding and - as you noted so well - brought home to Europeans the true identity of the monster they are facing and the importance of supporting Ukraine - with or without U.S. support. In addition to Denmark's offering Ukraine all of its military ordnance, the Czech president has stated that he would be able to provide Ukraine with 800,000 155 and 122 mm shells within a few weeks if money is found.
It is also very important that Europe open up more of Russia's frozen assets sooner than is now contemplated. While the U.S. (and probably Canada) would be prepared to turn over all of the $5-6 billion it holds in its banks, the bigger part ($300 billion) is held by Europe - especially Brussels. But they intend to turn over only the earnings from those assets - less than $2 billion. The rest would be held as "reparations"......closer to the end of the war. Just think of the impact on Putin if it were known that the full amount would be available to ensure that Ukraine never runs short of what it needs to win. It may be that European banks want to milk those funds a bit longer, but this may be the time for Ukraine to pressure those banks by pointing out how much fairer and more just it would be that the bastards are made to pay for the armaments and surface to air defenses Ukraine needs to beat them down.
Lastly, although I think it is very likely that Ukraine will raise the additional 200,000 soldiers it needs, the time and cost of training and equipping such a force will take months.
I fully agree with your conclusion that - if several things break in Ukraine's favor - Ukraine may win by next year (Trump or no Trump) BUT the next several months may well become the most difficult ones. By mid-summer, I think that Ukraine will regain the initiative and - at least - break through to the sea from whence it will make Russian reinforcement and resupply very problematic.
Your point about the frozen $$$ of Russia is well taken. The pressure of the release of Russian $$$ to support & pay for Ukr's defence, now, is what has to be front & center. Which leader among the free world will take up the cause & push for it will be very interesting. I do wish Boris Johnson was still in power in UK - he'd be a force to push this hard & succeed. (in my humble opinion)
Mr. Anderson,
The good news is that the Senate Foreign Relations committee has approved (20 to 1)
a bill known as the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukraine Act (REPO for Ukraine Act). Unless the real Putin agents in Congress are inclined to come out of the closet, it should get through the House easily enough because no US $ is involved.The bill places responsibility with the Sec of State and the UAAID to set up an account to receive these funds from US banks and then move those funds to an international "compensation mechanism" that is to collect the funds that EU banks are holding and start doling them out. But the US does not have authority over EU banks as centered in Brussels. So - at best - the $ that the US puts in, when added to the rest of the world and G- 7 that may be holding the $ will total an est.$ 10 billion because all the rest may decide to simply put in the earnings (interest) on the principal rather than the totals they are holding.
So the bad news is that the $ may not be available when most needed....except for the amounts contributed.
Although all banks are preparing to give up the $, and people are meeting to establish the receiving
/distribution mechanism, the process ,from where it is today, may take another couple of months to set up. Which is where someone like Boris Johnson would be very helpful.
Diane, you always tell it like it is. I have questions, and think I know the answers.
1. What is the United Nations good for? Nothing.....powerless and useless
2. Why is NATO pussy footing around after the most obvious threats in Europe? Putin's nuke threat.
The WORLD continues to take sides, skirt sanctions....do they not see the future clearly?
Ukraine need big time help and now.
This is a WORLD problem big time...and with ICBM's everywhere we are all in each others's back yards.
Any ideas?
I totally agree with your list. You are too kind in words BUT, I have been 'tweeting' (or X'ing if you wish) to all the leaders in NATO that it is time to have an emergency clause in membership made AND get UKR membership done NOW - there is NO time to waste here.
Trump is a Zombie
Absolutely spot on. Excellent thank you
one concern only - have not seen the UK stand up like Boris Johnson did at the onset of the invasion of UKR. I am stunned at the inability of USA to function - paralyze their entire nation - with no 'out' as far as I have seen or witnessed. The danger created by this rogue party of tRUMP's cronies is stunning. BUT, to see how ill prepared Europe is to react to Russia/Putin is _______ . Great report Diane - was looking forward to it this morning.
And Canada? Shameful. It is far short of agreed contribution to NATO and why is there not an outcry about this?
Thanks for your insightful comments on Russia and its current Ivan the Terrible.
A few years ago while in Washington I asked Nikolas Sarkosy to opine on Russia's future. He said that the West has always underestimated and overestimated Russia. He also said that after the humiliating breakup of the Soviet Union and the ensuing internal financial, political and social upheavals, the West would be well advised to adopt a " hands off " approach to Russia failing which it would inevitably try to regain lost territory. He was discretely dismissive of the State Department and CIA's interference in Russia's internal affairs and warned that it would force Russia to reciprocate.
l
Thank you, Diane for such a factual and on point report.
I will add, for those who may have missed this, due to MSM lack of coverage, but
last week President Biden gave the go ahead to release
$300 million in confiscated
Russian sanctioned funds to Ukraine. This is not a large
amount, granted but it's the
first move of one of the G7, in
adding some pressure to
others and the EU, to put
a crack in the door to the
billions needed for Ukraine.
I am a loyal fan Diane.
I am possibly naive but the murder of the courageous Mr. Navalny may wake up many nations to the existential threat Putin is capable of and 'inspire' them to pull up their socks and support Ukraine not with the diminutive wishy washy comment 'as long as it takes' but help this courageous country win the war asap. If this does happen Mr Navalny's personal sacrifice will not be in vain.
I believe his murder was timed to correspond with the conference in Munich of all those nations. Putin was telling them that he is able. What will their response be?
As usual so insightful and right on point. Putin's "special operation" is essentially a declaration of War on Europe and that's the way it should be interpreted by the UN, EU, NATO and so on. So many lives have been lost on both sides with more to come, and many will live out their lives with significant injuries, millions of refugees are not able to return home (maybe never) and there's no end in sight for this War. The Ukrainians need our support now to preserve democracies, and the US is playing politics with people's lives. So shameful! It would be a travesty to see Russia win this war after investing billions and so many human lives to see Putin win. Putin is importing recruits from other countries, why can't we do the same? After all, there is a limited supply of Ukrainians. The UN must declare Russia a rogue/terrorist country while under the direction of Putin and before the upcoming election. The World needs to wake up. If not, Putin will be emboldened to take over other Baltic countries and continue his interference in other regions like what he did in Syria, what he's doing now in the Middle East and other regions. Then there is the information war using technology. Go figure?
sure hope you are right ....but the war drags on and on...zelensky complained that monies and equipment promised by trudeau more than a year ago still has not materialized....did putin calculate that western leadership is weak and will not stay the course???trudeau has failed to truly support ukraine ....for example he could supply germany with oil and gas but refused to do so ....such a move would have hurt russia... trump is an idiot but trudeau not far behind.....for example quebec continues to attack english quebecers and yet trudeau does nothing......i hope criminal proceedings will end the trump nightmare.....and who knows jagmeet may soon end his devils deal with trudeau...
Thank you, Diane, I wonder if you read Conrad Black's opinion in Saturday's National Post about the dysfunctional UN? Interesting reading.