Posts

‘Pointless’ for Ukraine to Have Peace Talks With Russia: U.S.

/0 Comments/in , /by

Ukraine has nothing to gain from negotiations with Russia at this juncture, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s team.

“We see no indication that Russia is willing to entertain substantive, real peace negotiations,” Assistant Secretary James O’Brien, who leads the State Department’s Europe bureau, said Monday. “And it would be pointless to have a discussion on Ukraine’s side. It’s not a dialogue; it’s a monologue of surrender.”

O’Brien offered that assessment as Blinken travels to Brussels for the first meeting of NATO foreign ministers since Ukraine’s top military commander declared that the war has settled into a “stalemate.” That acknowledgment coincided with intensified disputes in Washington about continued American aid to Ukraine, but NATO leaders have maintained a public posture of solid backing for the embattled Ukrainian nation.

“This year, they continue to inflict heavy losses on Russia,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday. “Ukraine has recaptured 50% of the territory that Russia seized. It has prevailed as a sovereign, independent nation. This is a big win for Ukraine.”

That applause belies the angst about Ukraine’s inability to break through Russian fortifications in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces managed to seize a so-called land bridge linking the sovereign Russian territory to Crimea, the peninsula that Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed in 2014. Yet Ukraine retains the staunch support of at least some of NATO’s major powers. (Read more from “‘Pointless’ for Ukraine to Have Peace Talks With Russia: U.S.” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

NATO Reaffirms Commitment to Ukraine’s Membership; Report: Russia Offered to End War If Ukraine Dropped NATO Bid

/0 Comments/in , /by

In a recent announcement, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg, reiterated the alliance’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s long-term membership, affirming that all NATO members agree on Ukraine eventually joining. However, Stoltenberg emphasized that this accession would occur post-war and only after significant reforms have been implemented.

Stoltenberg highlighted the forthcoming NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, where discussions would center on identifying and prioritizing key reforms necessary for Ukraine to meet the criteria for NATO membership. He cited recent support measures, such as the air defense coalition, substantial funding, and the inauguration of the F-16 training center in Romania for Ukrainian pilots, as demonstrations of NATO’s commitment to Ukraine’s security.

While underscoring NATO’s consensus on Ukraine’s eventual membership, Stoltenberg clarified that full accession would be contingent on Ukraine’s resolution of the ongoing conflict and the implementation of critical reforms. He emphasized the need for “full interoperability” between Ukrainian and NATO forces, based on NATO doctrines and training procedures.

Addressing concerns about admitting a nation currently at war, Stoltenberg stated, “All Allies agree that in the midst of a war full membership is not possible.” Nonetheless, he expressed the alliance’s commitment to exploring ways to bring Ukraine and NATO closer together during this challenging period.

This affirmation echoes previous statements, despite past criticism from within the alliance. Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz have expressed reservations, with Orban questioning the readiness of all NATO members to accept Ukraine and Scholz advocating caution until after the conflict, citing unmet criteria and conditions.

Despite these reservations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted in September that Ukraine considers itself “a de facto member of NATO.” The cautious approach extends beyond NATO, with European leaders expressing a similar sentiment regarding Ukraine’s potential European Union membership, emphasizing the need for reforms and the resolution of internal challenges before formal action is taken.

__________________________________________________

Russia Offered to End War if Ukraine Dropped NATO Bid: Kyiv Official

By Newsweek. Russia offered to end Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in the spring of 2022 if Ukraine agreed to drop its ambitions to join NATO, according to the head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s political party, who was present at peace negotiations.

David Arakhamia, leader of the Ukrainian political party Servant of the People, revealed part of the purported deal during an interview with Ukrainian journalist Natalia Moseychuk on Friday. The Kyiv official previously led the Ukrainian delegation that held peace talks with senior Russian officials in the months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Both sides of the war have laid out conditions for a ceasefire in the conflict in recent months, but many war analysts doubt neither Zelensky nor Russian President Vladimir Putin currently has a serious urge to end the 21-month-long fight.

According to Arakhamia, however, there was a drafted peace agreement between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators early in the war. Arakhamia said that Moscow pledged to end the fighting if Ukraine’s agreed to remain neutral and forego its bid to join NATO. (Read more from “Russia Offered to End War if Ukraine Dropped NATO Bid: Kyiv Official” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

Zelensky Aide on Corruption in Ukraine: ‘People Are Stealing Like There’s No Tomorrow’

/0 Comments/in , /by

An advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the government has suffered “reputational damage” on the world stage for its sluggish efforts to battle corruption.

TIME senior correspondent Simon Shuster wrote about his experience following Zelenskyy and his team back to Ukraine after they visited the U.S. in September to appeal for aid, noting in Washington they had faced “insistent calls for Zelensky to fight corruption inside his own government, and the fading enthusiasm for a war with no end in sight.”

Shuster reported that similarly grim sentiment appears among the public as well, as those with the money available “sometimes bribe their way out of service” and that such cases “became so widespread by the end of the summer that on Aug. 11 Zelensky fired the heads of the draft offices in every region of the country.”

“The decision was intended to signal his commitment to fighting graft. But the move backfired, according to the senior military officer, as recruitment nearly ground to a halt without leadership,” Shuster wrote. “The fired officials also proved difficult to replace, in part because the reputation of the draft offices had been tainted.” (Read more from “Zelensky Aide on Corruption in Ukraine: ‘People Are Stealing Like There’s No Tomorrow’” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

Sec of State Blinken Dressed Son as Zelensky for Halloween (VIDEO)

/0 Comments/in , /by

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken dressed his four-year-old son as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a White House Halloween party on Monday night.

“Biden gave the young ‘Zelensky,’ who wore a dark green sweatshirt, a box of M&Ms bearing the presidential seal — after asking Congress earlier this month to give another $61.4 billion for the real deal, on top of $113 billion already appropriated to help Kyiv resist Russia’s 20-month-old invasion,” noted the New York Post.

Blinken’s daughter also wore a Ukrainian flag outfit.

Antony Blinken’s grandfather, Moritz Blinken, was born in Ukraine, which was then part of the Russian empire in 1900. He immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of four. (Read more from “Sec of State Blinken Dressed Son as Zelensky for Halloween (VIDEO)” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

FBI Headquarters Stonewalled Investigative Activity on Hunter Biden, Former Prosecutor Testifies

/0 Comments/in , /by

The FBI used administrative maneuvers to stonewall investigative activity surrounding Ukraine and Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Scott Brady testified to the House Judiciary Committee.

FBI headquarters allegedly micromanaged the investigative process to slow-walk Brady’s attempt at vetting information related to corruption in Ukraine and Hunter Biden’s business relationship with Burisma, resulting in significant delays to vetting activity assigned to Brady by then-Attorney General Bill Barr, according to a transcript of his testimony reviewed by the Daily Caller.

“I think there was reluctance on the part of the FBI to really do any tasking related to our assignment from DAG Rosen and looking into allegations of Ukrainian corruption broadly and then specifically anything that intersected with Hunter Biden and his role in Burisma. It was very challenging,” Brady stated. (Read more from “FBI Headquarters Stonewalled Investigative Activity on Hunter Biden, Former Prosecutor Testifies” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

Elon Musk Had Some Chilling Thoughts About the Potential of WWIII

/0 Comments/in , /by

Afew days ago, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and David Sacks joined together for a phone conference to discuss the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine conflicts.

Musk, as usual, had some profound insight.

“In theory, it should be easy to avoid World War III because no one wants it,” said Sacks.

“I think we are sleepwalking our way into World War III with one foolish decision after another,” Musk responded. “I mean, what is the track record here? It’s not good.”

(Read more from “Elon Musk Had Some Chilling Thoughts About the Potential of WWIII” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

‘It Is Shameful’: Attorney Tells Tucker He’s ‘Shocked’ U.S. Leaders Are Silent on Treatment of Christians in Ukraine (VIDEO)

/0 Comments/in , /by

Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson and attorney Bob Amsterdam criticized U.S. leaders during Thursday’s “Tucker on Twitter” for backing Ukraine as the country reportedly arrests church clergy deemed a threat to the government.

The Ukrainian government has reportedly cracked down on Ukrainian Orthodox Church clergy still aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church. Authorities allege that the church clergy has shared intelligence with Moscow to aid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, undermining national security.

Carlson said neoconservatives have allowed for the attack of Christians across the globe for decades, along with President Joe Biden, who has continued supporting a country that carries out the arrest of clergy.

“The Ukrainian government has now banned an entire Christian denomination, and virtually no one in the United States has said anything about it,” Carlson said in his monologue.

(Read more from “‘It Is Shameful’: Attorney Tells Tucker He’s ‘Shocked’ U.S. Leaders Are Silent on Treatment of Christians in Ukraine (VIDEO)” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

Treasury Secretary Says U.S. Can ‘Certainly’ Afford to Provide Military Support for Israel and Ukraine

/0 Comments/in , /by

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen signaled on Monday that she has no doubt the U.S. could fund Israel and Ukraine in their ongoing military conflicts despite America’s rising gross national debt.

In an interview with Britain’s Sky News, Yellen told the outlet that the U.S. could “absolutely” afford to provide military aid to Israel in its war against the militant terrorist organization Hamas while funding more support to Ukraine in its ongoing struggle with Russia.

“America can certainly afford to stand with Israel and to support Israel’s military needs, and we also can and must support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia,” Yellen said in an interview with Sky News.

Last month, America’s gross national debt surpassed $33 trillion, which didn’t draw heavy concern for Yellen, who said at the time that the net interest as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) remains under control by the federal government.

In her interview with Sky News, she emphasized the U.S. economy is doing “extremely well.” (Read more from “Treasury Secretary Says U.S. Can ‘Certainly’ Afford to Provide Military Support for Israel and Ukraine” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

U.S. Public Support Declines for Arming Ukraine

/1 Comment/in , /by

Support is falling among Americans of both major political parties for supplying Ukraine with weapons, a warning sign for Kyiv, which relies heavily on U.S. arms to fight against a Russian invasion, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The two-day poll, which closed on Wednesday, showed only 41% of respondents agreed with a statement that Washington “should provide weapons to Ukraine,” compared to 35% who disagreed and the rest unsure.

Support for U.S. weapon shipments is down from May, when a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 46% of Americans backed sending arms, while 29% were opposed and the rest unsure.

The poll was taken as U.S. congressional leaders debate Democratic President Joe Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional funding for Ukraine, of which about $17 billion would be defense aid.

Washington has provided $44 billion to supply Kyiv with dozens of tanks, thousands of rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition that Ukraine has used to defend itself since Russia invaded in February 2022. Ukrainian forces have retaken a series of villages and settlements in the counteroffensive that began in June, but its soldiers have been hampered by vast Russian minefields and trenches. (Read more from “U.S. Public Support Declines for Arming Ukraine” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.

Zelensky’s Wife Spent a Staggering $1.1 Million on NYC Shopping Spree Raising New Questions of Ukraine Corruption

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, recently embarked on a shopping spree in New York City that has left many questioning the source of funds and the ethics behind such extravagance. Reportedly, she spent a staggering $1.1 million during her shopping spree while visiting the United States alongside her husband, ostensibly to secure continued support from Washington.

During this visit, President Zelensky was engaged in crucial diplomatic efforts, including his first in-person address to the UN General Assembly, meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, and a visit to the White House. His mission was clear: to bolster support for Ukraine on the global stage. However, while President Zelensky was tirelessly advocating for his nation, his wife, Olena Zelenska, was conspicuously spotted on Fifth Avenue in NYC, indulging in opulent shopping.

New York’s Fifth Avenue, often regarded as the world’s most famous shopping street, is home to an array of prestigious and high-end stores, including Armani, Gucci, Bergdorf Goodman, Harry Winston, and Cartier. It is a haven for luxury shoppers, drawing modern-day celebrities who frequently adorn themselves with exquisite CARTIER pieces. Notably, famous personalities such as Angelina Jolie, Kylie Jenner, and Lupita Nyong’o have been seen wearing Cartier jewelry, and Olena Zelenska, it appears, shares their enthusiasm for the brand.

What raises eyebrows is the astonishing sum reportedly spent by Olena Zelenska during her visit to the renowned Cartier Mansion on Fifth Avenue. According to an ex-employee of the Cartier store who had the opportunity to interact with Olena, she seemed uninterested in a tour offered by the staff. This initial indifference soon escalated when Olena snapped at the employee, dismissing their assistance with a terse, “Who said I need your opinion?” Following this encounter, she engaged in a discussion with the boutique’s manager, and the ex-employee, unbeknownst to her at the time, faced the consequence of losing her job.

(Read more from “Zelensky’s Wife Spent a Staggering $1.1 Million on NYC Shopping Spree Raising New Questions of Ukraine Corruption” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE.