All 24 Ukrainian sailors captured by Russia FSB in #KerchStrait declare themselves "prisoners of war." They await trial in Moscow. #Russia's outrageous open attack on #Ukraine in int'l waters off #Crimea is a HUGE int'l incident. Barely a blip in US press. ru.krymr.com/a/news-zahvat-…
Reminder THREAD on Russia's recent attack on Ukraine—ramming, shooting & seizing ships & sailors in int'l waters. Its overtness shows a dangerously brazen & newly emboldened Putin. I bet Trump's meek response to such a major attack played a big role in Mattis' decision to resign.
Yes, Trump's Syria withdrawal was the last straw for Mattis. But Mattis' bold remarks & acts re Russia attacking Ukraine in Kerch Strait take on new significance given his resignation. Mattis condemned Putin as someone "we simply can't trust" & likely expected Trump to do same.👇
After Mattis condemned Putin for Ukraine attack, CNN reported US was preparing to sail a warship to Black Sea, near where Russia attacked Ukrainian ships. Such a major Pentagon move would likely come directly from Mattis… Funny how Trump fires ppl when they openly condemn Putin.
A few days after DOD said it was sending a warship to Black Sea, Mattis' Pentagon announced a broad US military response pushing back on Russian aggression, from Sea of Japan to Sea of Azov—Ukraine. Report said to demonstrate "this isn't Putin's lake." Too much for puppet Trump??
Given Trump's only consistent foreign policy is aligning w/ Putin, I think it's worth underscoring that Mattis' resignation isn't narrowly about Syria/ME policy, as first reported. Mattis knew Russia's attack on Ukraine was a BFD. Trump's appeasement likely pushed him to resign.
