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Okay, so let's talk about the latest #Ukraine* news.
*(Note the absence of any sort of definite article modifying the country. Thank you.)
*(Note the absence of any sort of definite article modifying the country. Thank you.)
This "scandal" has troubled me since it was created by Trump associates in the spring, because it endangers long-term American interests in the region, not to mention the democratic aspirations of another country, all in an attempt to secure one man's political future.
The allegations are nonsense. @OliverBullough -- who literally wrote the book on corruption -- explains why.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…
The whataboutist defense Mr. Giuliani makes in this clip re: other Presidents using aid as leverage is shameful. Threatening to withhold aid for failing to achieve necessary reforms is legitimate. Withholding it to sink your political opponent is not.
(It is notable that the aid was actually withheld for a time. This seems to suggest that the Zelenskyy administration held firm in not wading into murky American political waters.
Whether it was eventually released because Zelenskyy relented, because Adam Schiff got wind of this whistleblower complaint (as Cuomo suggests above), or simply because of the Congressional and public outcry about its freezing remains to be seen.)
The takeaway:
This behavior is embarassing to our country. It is destroying our credibility as an ally and supporter of democracy. And it is a slap in the face to Ukraine, which for the past 5+ years has been walking the long and difficult path of democratic reform.
This behavior is embarassing to our country. It is destroying our credibility as an ally and supporter of democracy. And it is a slap in the face to Ukraine, which for the past 5+ years has been walking the long and difficult path of democratic reform.
What we should be doing right now is shoring up our alliance with Ukraine, figuring out how best American aid can be spent to ensure Ukraine's democratic transition is fruitful, and building bridges between the new administration and our country, not threatening to blow them up.
Yes, all aid should come with preconditions. Yes, we should make sure our money is being spent correctly. Yes, we need to continue to push Ukraine to pursue anti-corruption measures. None of that includes strongarming our ally into doing political favors.
And finally, in case you missed my 40 other tweets about this since March:
Ukraine is a sovereign, democratic country of 45 million people. Not a political pawn.
Thanks for reading.
Ukraine is a sovereign, democratic country of 45 million people. Not a political pawn.
Thanks for reading.
