should the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to strike military targets on the territory of Moscow empire? 70% of Americans view Ukraine as an ally

[Litwin]

You can bet that a lot of the money we send to Ukraine will end up in some corrupt politician’s Swiss bank account.

US has spent billions on Ukraine war aid. But is that money landing in corrupt pockets?

A special inspector general and House Republicans have called for more oversight of the more than $100 billion in aid sent to Ukraine.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Rambunctious]

 

[Batcat]

View attachment 936279

Ukraine is a wonderful place to be if you are a little corrupt as there is big money to be made there. The Bidens realized this and profited off of it.

Ukraine war: corruption scandals and high-level rifts could become an existential threat as Kyiv asks for more military aid

As a new Russian offensive gets under way, Ukraine can ill afford to be mired in scandal and disunity.

theconversation.com

snip


Ukraine has survived two years of bitter conflict, despite this endemic corruption, and has showed remarkable resilience in the face of Russia’s aggression. But these high-profile scandals – and the general perception that Ukraine still battles everyday corruption – have become more existential threats at a time when Ukraine’s survival has, to a large extent, become dependent on the continued supply of western military and financial aid.

Sceptics in the EU – above all Hungary and Slovakia, but also influential right-wing populists currently in opposition like Germany’s AfD – have used undeniable corruption as one argument against further aid for Ukraine. Similarly, in the United States, Republicans have argued that a lack of oversight could mean that US aid is diverted to line the pockets of corrupt officials.

snip


Without real headway being made in the fight against corruption, the broadly pro-western and pro-European constituency from which Zelensky draws most of his support is also likely to weaken. A European future will look less attractive to people who see western support as simply propping up a corrupt elite.

And even if, as is likely, support for European and transatlantic integration will remain high, Zelensky may no longer be seen as its only or most likely champion.

Corruption, therefore, remains central to Ukraine’s existential crisis. It is not the only problem that the country faces, and objectively it may not even be the biggest one. What makes it so critical for Ukraine to fight corruption more effectively, and to be seen to do so, is that corruption and the perception of corruption exacerbates other problems and undermines critical domestic and western support.

On its own hence, corruption is unlikely to break Ukraine. But in the midst of a war, it may be the final straw that breaks the country – because of the knock-on effects at home and abroad.

 

[Litwin]

Ukraine is a wonderful place to be if you are a little corrupt as there is big money to be made there. The Bidens realized this and profited off of it.

Ukraine war: corruption scandals and high-level rifts could become an existential threat as Kyiv asks for more military aid

As a new Russian offensive gets under way, Ukraine can ill afford to be mired in scandal and disunity.

theconversation.com

snip


Ukraine has survived two years of bitter conflict, despite this endemic corruption, and has showed remarkable resilience in the face of Russia’s aggression. But these high-profile scandals – and the general perception that Ukraine still battles everyday corruption – have become more existential threats at a time when Ukraine’s survival has, to a large extent, become dependent on the continued supply of western military and financial aid.

Sceptics in the EU – above all Hungary and Slovakia, but also influential right-wing populists currently in opposition like Germany’s AfD – have used undeniable corruption as one argument against further aid for Ukraine. Similarly, in the United States, Republicans have argued that a lack of oversight could mean that US aid is diverted to line the pockets of corrupt officials.

snip


Without real headway being made in the fight against corruption, the broadly pro-western and pro-European constituency from which Zelensky draws most of his support is also likely to weaken. A European future will look less attractive to people who see western support as simply propping up a corrupt elite.

And even if, as is likely, support for European and transatlantic integration will remain high, Zelensky may no longer be seen as its only or most likely champion.

Corruption, therefore, remains central to Ukraine’s existential crisis. It is not the only problem that the country faces, and objectively it may not even be the biggest one. What makes it so critical for Ukraine to fight corruption more effectively, and to be seen to do so, is that corruption and the perception of corruption exacerbates other problems and undermines critical domestic and western support.

On its own hence, corruption is unlikely to break Ukraine. But in the midst of a war, it may be the final straw that breaks the country – because of the knock-on effects at home and abroad.

“Americans play to win all the time.

I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost, and laughed.

That's why Americans have never lost and will never lose a war.

The very thought of losing is hateful to America.”

- Gen. George Patton

Real Americans seek Moscow ’s defeat.

 

[Litwin]

PS

 

[Rambunctious]

After Obama won in 08 he flooded northern Iraq with billions of dollars in an attempt to win over the population in that region... it failed miserably because most of the money was siphoned off by layer after layer of corruption... it was a stupid thing to do and now we are doing it again in one of the most corrupt nations on earth.... why won't our leaders learn from their mistakes?....

 

[Silver Cat]

I realize that, but Ukraine is not trying to conquer Russia by demoralizing the populace with direct attack and in would be a strategic mistake, that could turn world opinion, and no matter what Russia does, it is not within recognized rules of war, I was trained to uphold. Sooner or later there will be a peace. It will involve negotiations and will only be when Russia is ready to come to the table. Actions of that nature, would interfere, doing more damage than aiding an end to hostilities.

Actually, our dear European 'friends' just raised their demands to the level 'decolonization and dechristianisation of the whole Russia'.

---------
https://pace.coe.int/en/files/33511/html


encourages the Council of Europe member and observer States and the European Union to recognise that the Russian Orthodox Church is in fact being used as an instrument of Russian influence and propaganda by the Kremlin regime and has nothing to do with the freedom of religion and the freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
----------
The Assembly states, to reinforce European Parliament Resolution of 29 February 2024 on the murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia (2024/2579(RSP)), that decolonisation of the Russian Federation is a necessary condition for the establishment of democracy in the Russian Federation.
------

So, likely, there will be no peace between the Russian Federation and the EU. Only total annihilation of one or both sides.

 

[Deadstick]

After Obama won in 08 he flooded northern Iraq with billions of dollars in an attempt to win over the population in that region... it failed miserably because most of the money was siphoned off by layer after layer of corruption... it was a stupid thing to do and now we are doing it again in one of the most corrupt nations on earth.... why won't our leaders learn from their mistakes?....

I heard there were suitcases with millions of dollars people just walked away with it, unbelievable the American public have ever tolerated this gangsterism.

 

[Rambunctious]

I heard there were suitcases with millions of dollars people just walked away with it, unbelievable the American public have ever tolerated this gangsterism.

Private jets were loading money up and flew off with it...

 

[luiza]

Listen, Nazi Troll Titty Winkle .
70% of the Kyiv energy infrastructure has been devastated by the Russians .
You have killed 3-4 people with your useless forays but millions of Ukeys have suffered
WHAT A WRETCH YOU ARE NAZI TROLL

 

[Batcat]

“Americans play to win all the time.

I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost, and laughed.

That's why Americans have never lost and will never lose a war.

The very thought of losing is hateful to America.”

- Gen. George Patton

Real Americans seek Moscow ’s defeat.

View attachment 936502

Paton was a general at the time when the United States did fight to win. Today we fight to make corrupt politicians and the military industrial complex wealthy.

That helps explain why Trump is so unpopular with the political and military establishment in the Swamp. Trump doesn’t like financing or fighting dirty little wars in far off hell holes. The Swamp wants to keep the gravy train rolling along.

Pentagon whitewash for Halliburton corruption in Iraq

In a decision that epitomizes the war profiteering and corruption that have accompanied the American operation in Iraq, US Army officials have decided to override the recommendations of the Pentagon’s own internal auditors and pay nearly all of a quarter-billion dollars in disputed billings...

www.wsws.org

 

[Litwin]

Private jets were loading money up and flew off with it...

 

[Rambunctious]

Our leaders are making a terrible mistake.... the only thing that can explain it is that they will get kickbacks from Ukraine... only greed makes you do stupid things over and over again...
Why not try some diplomacy before funding this lost cause?...

 

[Litwin]

Our leaders are making a terrible mistake.... the only thing that can explain it is that they will get kickbacks from Ukraine... only greed makes you do stupid things over and over again...
Why not try some diplomacy before funding this lost cause?...

Moscow empire has an elaborate culture of the so-called “ponty”— slang for a system of symbols and behavioral patterns that telegraph status.
- nytimes

 

[Litwin]

Ukraine is a Bernie Madoff fund

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Where will you hide out when Zelen$ky flees Kiev?