How to counter Putin: NATO's former supreme allied commander for Europe weighs in By WESLEY CLARK

[elleng]

How to counter Putin: NATO’s former supreme allied commander for Europe weighs in
By WESLEY CLARK

Russia has taken off its mask. For years, President Vladimir Putin and his oligarchs have enjoyed the benefits of Western democracies, their wealth and their lifestyles, all the while trying to undercut and destroy them. Russia’s major attack on Ukraine underscores Putin’s deep resentment of the West, his fear of democratic values and his determination to restore Russian control over independent, freedom-loving people in Eastern Europe. Whether his attack succeeded depended first on the Ukrainians and their willingness to fight to protect their freedoms, but second, on the United States’ strength and global leadership.

Though the situation seems dark after three days of combat, there is much to be done.

The battle for Kyiv is moving toward its second phase, as Russian forces battle through Ukrainian defenders, or fly over them, to attempt to encircle Kyiv and force a new, Russian-supporting leader on the people of Ukraine. By all reports, the Ukrainian Army is fighting hard and inflicting losses on a vastly superior force. However, Russian armor columns with tanks and artillery moved in from the north towards Kyiv. U.S.-supplied Javelin antitank missiles and Stinger antiaircraft missiles have proved effective against the Russians. Major tank battles have been fought. As of late Friday, supplies were running low. . .

The best course of action is to demand Russia halt and establish a safe zone over Kyiv and in the western part of the country. This would have to be declared and enforced by the United States. The UN should back this.

In the interim, to keep Ukraine in the fight, and Russia out of Kyiv, Ukraine needs assistance from the United States. This support includes replenishment of Javelin and Stinger stocks, night vision devices and intelligence and communications support. . .

Since President Truman first provided assistance to Greece in fending off a Communist insurgency in 1947 and 1948, the United States has never failed to assist nations defending themselves against attack. Not every effort was successful in the short term, but over 70 years, the United States established its moral authority and America sought to meet its obligation under the UN Charter to assist the victims of aggression.'>>>

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-who-putin-really-is-20220225-6gcvrti6uzf4ngttpz33x4i2ay-story.html

[AlexSFCA]

1. I'd imagine we've supplying intelligence support non stop

[onecaliberal]

2. Why isn't this happening? WHY?

[Ocelot II]

4. Something is in the works - just announced this morning.

Ukraine is a sovereign, democratic, and peace-loving nation. The United States and Ukraine have been partners since Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago. After Russia invaded and partially occupied Ukraine in 2014, the United States intensified efforts to help Ukraine deter further Russian aggression, and, if needed, to defend itself from additional attacks. Last fall, as the present threat against Ukraine from Russia developed, under authority delegated by the President, I authorized the Department of Defense to provide $60 million in immediate military assistance to Ukraine. In December, as that threat materialized, I authorized a further drawdown worth $200 million. Today, as Ukraine fights with courage and pride against Russia’s brutal and unprovoked assault, I have authorized, pursuant to a delegation by the President, an unprecedented third Presidential Drawdown of up to $350 million for immediate support to Ukraine’s defense. This brings the total security assistance the United States has committed to Ukraine over the past year to more than $1 billion.

This package will include further lethal defensive assistance to help Ukraine address the armored, airborne, and other threats it is now facing. It is another clear signal that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign, courageous, and proud nation.

https://www.state.gov/additional-military-assistance-for-ukraine/

[elleng]

7. Thanks

[onecaliberal]

11. Thank you for posting this.

[PortTack]

6. President Biden is sending another 600 million in supplies and aid..announced late yesterday

[C_U_L8R]

3. How does the UN do anything with the Russian veto?

Agree with all the points... they just need to be done.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Did they say something in a couple of reports

that Russia is head of the Security Council for the month of February? Wasn't clear if that position included some sort of super-veto that they won't have in March, or if any of the 5 current members can veto resolutions.

[PoliticAverse]

9. All the permanent members of the Security Council (including Russia and China) have veto power. n/t

[SheltieLover]

5. They need supplies!

[lees1975]

10. The attacks on Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea were the result of US Drone intelligence

and they're getting the GPS information on troop movements from us, too.

[onecaliberal]

12. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 They need everything they can get. In a few days people will need food.