Want to highlight these points on Ukraine from Amb. Bill Taylor's opening statement:
"At the outset, I would like to convey several key points. First, Ukraine is a strategic partner of the United States, important for the security of our country as well as Europe... /1
"At the outset, I would like to convey several key points. First, Ukraine is a strategic partner of the United States, important for the security of our country as well as Europe... /1
... Second, Ukraine is, right at this moment, while we sit in this room, for the last five years, under attack from Russia... /2
... Third, the security assistance we provide is crucial to Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, and, more importantly, sends a signal to Ukrainians, and Russians, that we are Ukraine's reliable strategic partner."
Yes. This is what makes what POTUS did so loathsome/3
Yes. This is what makes what POTUS did so loathsome/3
More:
"I am convinced of the profound importance of Ukraine to the security of the United States and Europe for two related reasons:
First, if Ukraine succeeds in breaking free of Russian influence, it is possible for Europe to be whole, free, democratic, and at peace... /4
"I am convinced of the profound importance of Ukraine to the security of the United States and Europe for two related reasons:
First, if Ukraine succeeds in breaking free of Russian influence, it is possible for Europe to be whole, free, democratic, and at peace... /4
... In contrast, if Russia dominates Ukraine, Russia will again become an empire, oppressing its people, and threatening its neighbors and the rest of the world... /5
... Second, with the annexation of the Crimea in 2014 and the continued aggression in Donbas, Russia violated countless treaties, ignored all commitments, and dismissed all the principles that have kept the peace and contributed to prosperity in Europe since World War II... /6
... To restore Ukraine's independence, Russia must leave Ukraine. This has been and should continue to be a bipartisan US foreign policy goal." /7
Devastating for POTUS:
"[an OMB staffer said] that her boss had instructed her not to approve any additional spending of security assistance for Ukraine until further notice. I and others sat in astonishment -- Ukrainians were fighting the Russians ... /8
"[an OMB staffer said] that her boss had instructed her not to approve any additional spending of security assistance for Ukraine until further notice. I and others sat in astonishment -- Ukrainians were fighting the Russians ... /8
... and counted on not only the training and weapons, but also the assurance of US support. All that the OMB staff person said was that the directive had come from the President to the chief of staff to OMB." /9
OMG this anecdote:
"Volker and I traveled to the front line in northern Donbas to receive a briefing from the commander of the forces on the line of contact. Arriving for the briefing in the military headquarters, the commander thanked us for security assistance, ... /10
"Volker and I traveled to the front line in northern Donbas to receive a briefing from the commander of the forces on the line of contact. Arriving for the briefing in the military headquarters, the commander thanked us for security assistance, ... /10
... but I was aware that this assistance was on hold, which made me uncomfortable. Volker and I could see the armed and hostile Russian-led forces on the other side of the damaged bridge across the line of contact... /11
...Over 13,000 Ukrainians had been killed in the war, one or two a week. More Ukrainians would undoubtedly die without the US assistance." /12
Taylor is a hell of a writer.
But let's repeat.
More Ukrainians would undoubtedly die without the US assistance. /13
But let's repeat.
More Ukrainians would undoubtedly die without the US assistance. /13
"More Ukrainians would undoubtedly die without the US assistance." /14
