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U.S. Reportedly Prepping Massive Weapons Package to Fast-Track to Ukraine

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The Pentagon is preparing a large aid package to quickly send to Ukraine as soon as President Joe Biden signs into law a long-awaited Ukraine aid bill passed over the weekend, Politico reported, citing two U.S. officials.

Department of Defense (DOD) planners have not finalized the contents of the package, but it would likely include armored Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, artillery and air defenses Ukraine needs badly, Politico reported, citing the two sources speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement. The upcoming tranche of aid will be significantly larger than the Pentagon’s usual $300 million package, one of the officials said, along with a third U.S. official with knowledge of the discussions.

The Pentagon intends to deliver a “big package to help meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs,” one of the officials told Politico.

U.S. officials believe Ukraine’s hope of a military victory against Russia is dwindling, and Kyiv could face defeat by the end of the year if its backers do not surge much-needed equipment, Politico reported.

Pentagon planners may include older Humvees and M113 armored personnel carriers in the package, according to Politico. (Read more from “U.S. Reportedly Prepping Massive Weapons Package to Fast-Track to Ukraine” HERE)

Inside Mike Johnson’s Policy Shift: Lobbyist Influence and Controversial Staffing Raise Questions on Ukraine Aid

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House Speaker Mike Johnson’s stance on Ukraine aid has come under scrutiny with revelations about his top policy adviser, Dan Ziegler, and the interests of his former lobbying clients. Ziegler, who transitioned from lobbying to serving as Johnson’s policy director, previously worked with the firm Williams & Jensen, where his client roster included companies with significant stakes in issues related to the Ukraine conflict, Breitbart News has revealed.

Among Ziegler’s former clients are major corporations that have publicly addressed the implications of the war in Ukraine on their business operations. This connection raises questions about the influence of corporate interests on Johnson’s policy decisions, particularly regarding foreign aid packages related to Ukraine.

One notable client of Ziegler’s former firm is the News Media Alliance, which advocated for legislative proposals that some critics argue could harm conservative media outlets. This association underscores concerns about the potential influence of special interest groups on Johnson’s agenda.

The composition of Johnson’s inner circle has raised additional concerns, with reports indicating troubling backgrounds among several of his staffers.

The timing of Johnson’s pivot on Ukraine aid further highlights the significance of his staffing decisions. Despite previous opposition to substantial funding for Ukraine, Johnson’s support for a multi-billion-dollar aid package aligns with the recommendations of his top advisers, including Ziegler and National Security Adviser Josh Hodges.

Johnson’s shift in position reflects a departure from his previous commitments to conservative principles, particularly regarding fiscal responsibility and national security. Johnson is prioritizing foreign interests over domestic concerns, pointing to his advocacy for aid packages that they argue neglect crucial issues such as border security.

Johnson’s approach to Ukraine aid has sparked backlash from within his own party, with prominent Republicans condemning his alignment with President Joe Biden’s agenda. Calls for Johnson’s resignation underscore broader divisions within the GOP, as conservatives express frustration with what they perceive as a departure from core conservative values.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Introduces Amendment to Ukraine Bill: Members Who Vote ‘In Favor’ Required to Join Ukrainian Military

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced an amendment to a supplemental funding bill for Ukraine that would require members of Congress who vote “in favor” to enlist in the Ukrainian military.

Greene’s amendment comes as House Republicans released the legislative text regarding four bills wrapped into one, according to CBS News.

Under the three bills, $26.4 billion would be sent to Israel, $60.8 billion would go to Ukraine, and $8.1 billion would go to countering the threat of China in the Indo-Pacific and providing foreign aid to Taiwan.

A fourth bill focuses on providing other defense measures to “strengthen” the “national security” of the United States.

“Any Member of Congress who votes in favor of this Act shall be required to conscript in the Ukrainian military,” the amendment to the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act 2024 reads.

(Read more from “Marjorie Taylor Greene Introduces Amendment to Ukraine Bill: Members Who Vote ‘In Favor’ Required to Join Ukrainian Military” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Ukraine Faces Defeat Against Russia in 2024, Warns Former UK Commander

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Amidst the prolonged conflict between Ukraine and Russia, General Sir Richard Barrons, former commander of the UK’s Joint Forces Command, has issued a stark warning regarding Ukraine’s precarious position. In an interview with the BBC, Barrons expressed concerns over Ukraine’s ability to withstand the Russian onslaught, stating that there is a “serious risk” of Ukraine succumbing to defeat this year.

The Ukrainian forces, vastly outnumbered and outgunned by their Russian counterparts, are grappling with the daunting prospect of conceding to Russian advances. Barrons highlighted the potential for pessimism to permeate Ukrainian society as the conflict drags on, raising questions about the sustainability of their defense efforts.

Reflecting on the failed Ukrainian counteroffensive of the previous year, Barrons noted the strategic setbacks suffered by Ukraine despite concerted efforts to reclaim occupied territories. There are mounting apprehensions that Russia utilized this period to consolidate its position and prepare for further incursions into Ukrainian territory.

Anticipating a significant Russian offensive in the coming months, Barrons cautioned against the possibility of Russian forces breaching Ukrainian defenses and advancing into key strategic areas. He singled out Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and a symbolic bastion of Ukrainian identity, as a potential target for Russian encroachment, emphasizing the demoralizing impact such a loss would have on the Ukrainian populace.

Barrons painted a grim picture of the ongoing conflict, describing the relentless pounding of Ukrainian positions by Russian forces wielding superior firepower and weaponry. The disparity in artillery, ammunition, and manpower poses a formidable challenge to Ukrainian resistance, compounded by the introduction of technologically enhanced munitions by the Russians.

One such innovation highlighted by Barrons is the retrofitting of Soviet-era “dumb bombs” with guidance systems, enabling precision strikes on Ukrainian targets while minimizing the risk to Russian aircraft. The deployment of these munitions, coupled with Russia’s overwhelming numerical advantage, has placed significant strain on Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Recent statements from Ukraine’s top military brass corroborate Barrons’ assessment of the deteriorating situation on the Eastern Front. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged the escalation of hostilities following Vladimir Putin’s consolidation of power and the onset of warmer weather.

Ukraine Recklessly Detonates Drone Against Reactor Dome at Russian-Occupied Nuclear Power Plant

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Ukrainian forces detonated a drone against the dome covering a shut-down nuclear reactor at the massive Russian-occupied power plant in southeast Ukraine on Sunday, according to Kremlin and international energy officials.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said the unmanned device exploded against the dome above one of six reactors at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is the largest in all of Europe.

The damage was reported by the Russian-installed administration, which was placed on site after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Russian staff claimed there was no serious damage to the reactor, with radiation levels remaining normal.

The Russian-run plant said the Ukrainian strike “attacked the dome” of the building housing Reactor No. 6, which is currently in cold shutdown along with three other reactors. (Read more from “Ukraine Recklessly Detonates Drone Against Reactor Dome at Russian-Occupied Nuclear Power Plant” HERE)

Zelensky Warns USA: Give Ukraine the Money or Russia Wins!

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Kyiv will lose the war against Russia if the U.S. fails to approve military aid to battle Moscow’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday.

Tens of billions of dollars in military assistance for Kyiv has been blocked for months in Congress. The package faces resistance from House Republicans.

“It is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war,” Zelensky said during a video meeting of Kyiv-organised fundraising platform United24, per AFP.

Zelensky said it would be “difficult” for Ukraine to “stay” (survive) without the latest aid on top of an estimated $113 billion already sent to Kyiv at the cost of $900 per American household.

He said that “if Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked.” (Read more from “Zelensky Warns USA: Give Ukraine the Money or Russia Wins!” HERE)

Antony Blinken Confirms Ukraine Will Join NATO

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated NATO’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s aspirations to join the defensive alliance.

During a gathering of NATO member states in Brussels to mark the alliance’s 75th anniversary, Blinken emphasized the enduring determination to bolster the country during the Russia-Ukraine War. He declared, “Ukraine will become a member of NATO,” underscoring NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities and fostering closer ties with the alliance.

Blinken’s statement echoes sentiments expressed by U.S. President Biden and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in previous years, affirming NATO’s stance on Ukraine’s eventual membership. However, Blinken’s remarks also underscore the complexities involved, including the need for Ukraine to meet the criteria for membership, such as not being occupied by a foreign power.

Despite these challenges, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed Blinken’s comments, revealing ongoing efforts within NATO to advance Ukraine’s membership aspirations. Kuleba expressed gratitude for the encouraging messages and highlighted NATO’s commitment to determining the next steps towards Ukraine’s membership.

While formal NATO membership for Ukraine may still be on the horizon, individual member states are forging closer ties through “NATO-lite” arrangements. These agreements, exemplified by recent treaties with Finland and other nations, offer further funding, support, and military aid to Ukraine, in an attempt to bolstering its defense capabilities.

Senior NATO Officers, Including Polish General, Reportedly Killed in Russian Strike in Ukraine

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[T]he Russians successfully bombed a six-story deep command bunker in Chasiv Yar on March 26.

According to the Russians, the bunker was hit by one or more Iskander missiles. The Iskander is a short-range ballistic missile that can operate at hypersonic speed (Mach 5.9). It has different types of warheads including bunker busters that weigh between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds.

RU POV: Russian FAB bombs hit positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Novomykhailivka
byu/LordMinax inUkraineRussiaReport

Inside that command center were very senior NATO officers, some of whom were killed, according to Russian reports. One of them was Brigadier General Adam Marczak of the Polish army. . .

Poland reported his death, which the Polish Army said was due to “unexplained natural causes.”

Various Telegraph channels report that other NATO officers were either killed or wounded in the attack at Chasiv Yar. According to these accounts, some of the wounded were hastily evacuated to Poland. We don’t know the names, the ranks or the nationality of any of those killed or wounded other than Marczak. (Read more from “Senior NATO Officers, Including Polish General, Reportedly Killed in Russian Strike in Ukraine” HERE)

Ukraine Loses Patience: Give Us the Damn Weapons

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The West should hurry up and hand over the “damn” missiles Ukraine demands, their foreign secretary says, remarking: “We need air-defence systems on the frontlines”.

An essential role of the Ukrainian state since even before Russia’s re-invasion in 2022 has been cajoling and even begging the West for more military equipment, but these calls have occasionally tripped into a more demanding mien. That time has rolled around again with one of the nation’s top politicians making strident demands to help stop the bombs falling.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, perhaps the final remaining senior member of Volodymyr Zelensky’s government to regularly wear a suit and tie rather than the near-ubiquitous olive green in public, said in quotes distributed by Ukrainian state media: “Give us the damn Patriots.”

The remarks came in an interview with Politico, and Kuleba explained his demand, speaking of new Russian weapons that were harder to intercept. The answer, he said, was to deploy more advanced air-defence weapons on Ukraine’s frontiers to shoot down the aircraft dropping the bombs, rather than the weapons themselves.

He said: “…If we had enough air defence systems, namely Patriots, we would be able to protect not only the lives of our people, but also our economy from destruction… You cannot jam [the new bombs]. It just falls on your head and destroys everything… We need air-defence systems on the frontlines”. (Read more from “Ukraine Loses Patience: Give Us the Damn Weapons” HERE)

Report: Zelensky’s Wife Snubs Biden Invite to State of the Union

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The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska declined an invitation from the White House to attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union (SOTU) address.

The alleged snub was somewhat unusual given the prestige of a choice SOTU seat and Ukraine’s fervent desire to remain in the good graces of the United States, the most pivotal supporter of Kyiv’s struggle against the Russian invasion. The White House reportedly offered to seat Zelenska next to U.S. first lady Jill Biden.

According to the Washington Post, Zelenska turned down the invitation because Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian dissident leader Alexei Navalny, was also invited to sit with Mrs. Biden during the speech.

The White House wanted the symbolism of Zelenska and Navalnaya sitting together while President Biden spoke, but the Ukrainian government was reportedly uncomfortable with the arrangement because Alexei Navalny was somewhat equivocal about Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Navalny, who died at the age of 47 under suspicious circumstances in an Arctic penal colony in February, was an outspoken Russian nationalist early in his political career. He supported Russia’s 2018 invasion of Georgia, for example. (Read more from “Report: Zelensky’s Wife Snubs Biden Invite to State of the Union” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr