Friday, September 22, 2023
Thursday, September 21, 2023
4 Charts Reveal The Aid That Has Been Given To Ukraine
BBC News: How Norway outstrips US on Ukraine spending
The United States has poured more than a hundred billion dollars into Ukraine's effort to repel Russia's invasion, spending far more than any other nation.
But as President Volodymyr Zelensky comes to Washington to ask for more, there is growing Republican scepticism about funding the war effort.
In his Tuesday speech to the UN, Joe Biden made a passionate plea for the global community to not turn its back on Ukraine.
"Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence," he said.
"But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they're protected?"
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The Ukraine sources that I trust are telling me that over half of this aid is now being lost due to corruption. It is almost as if everyone has come to the same realization that aid from the West is not going to be forthcoming as it has been in the past, and now is the best time to grab what you can before the spigot is turned off.
I can speak personally on how rotten this corruption is. I am part of a group that helps to send needed drugs and medicines to Ukraine. Specifically it goes to my father's home town that is south of Kyiv. We always had some losses, but our last three shipments of vital supplies just disappeared.
Russia - Ukraine War: Military Summary And Analysis For 9.20.2023 (Videos)
WNU Editor: A lot of updates today.
Tweets On The Russia - Ukraine War
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 21 September 2023.
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) September 21, 2023
Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/iWynNpUZId
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/ohz5iN4GHd
Here are today's control-of-terrain maps of #Russia's invasion of #Ukraine from @TheStudyofWar and @criticalthreats.
— ISW (@TheStudyofWar) September 21, 2023
Interactive map, updated daily: https://t.co/hwgxTnU2Tr
Archive of time-lapse maps, updated monthly: https://t.co/IT6FiqwgGO pic.twitter.com/PsxTokHMQP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sought to bolster US support for his country in Washington as he met with President Joe Biden amid skepticism among Republicans in Congress over a new round of military aid to defend against Russia https://t.co/Z2pjXSN9g8 pic.twitter.com/DjPU8ppzcf
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 21, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden was firm in his backing of Ukraine as he vowed to keep supporting the country in its war against Russia as he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. pic.twitter.com/R09M8ecVYF
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 21, 2023
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington for the second time since Russia's full-scale invasion.
— DW News (@dwnews) September 21, 2023
Only this time, he faces a lot more resistance trying to secure US aid to his country. pic.twitter.com/HiyCRSuabz
#UPDATE Ukraine on Thursday said it had struck a military airfield on the Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula, the latest claimed attack on the Black Sea territory Kyiv has vowed to recapture ➡️ https://t.co/HB4Pb5x593 pic.twitter.com/ZS1HCZRbft
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 21, 2023
Russia hit Ukrainian energy facilities as power cuts were reported in five regions, reviving memories of multiple air strikes on critical infrastructure last winter that caused sweeping outages for millions during the bitter cold https://t.co/wcDlrQR6BK pic.twitter.com/XMzKLL1vvC
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 21, 2023
Polish PM @MorawieckiM said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine, putting Poland's status as a major source of military equipment in doubt.
— DW News (@dwnews) September 21, 2023
The Polish government later clarified that it plans to deliver weapons in line with its current commitments. pic.twitter.com/scOPVmR3pg
Tweets Of The Day
From Russia carrying out its biggest missile attack in weeks in Ukraine to Syrian President Bashar al-Asad’s visit to China, these are the 5️⃣ stories you need to know today pic.twitter.com/oI3UzClt2j
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 21, 2023
BREAKING: The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation of a Sikh activist's death that has inflamed relations with India, sources tell CBC News.https://t.co/spz0A88pFl
— CBC News (@CBCNews) September 21, 2023
Azerbaijan has regained control over breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region for the first time in decades, after Armenian separatists agreed to lay down their arms in the face of a military operation.
— DW News (@dwnews) September 21, 2023
Here's what you need to know: pic.twitter.com/aEQNvHOlmH
Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed Thursday at the United Nations on the heels of a swift military victory in Nagorno-Karabakh by Baku, which heard calls from Western nations led by France to provide safety guarantees https://t.co/T4MXnmyPPl
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 21, 2023
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, his first visit to China since 2004 and his latest bid to end more than a decade of diplomatic isolation under Western sanctions https://t.co/EhVsjCALks pic.twitter.com/28S3TJGo6P
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 21, 2023
South Korea raids US military bases in drugs probe https://t.co/pdvnoydHuC
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 21, 2023
A military pilot whose advanced fighter jet went temporarily missing over the weekend is heard repeatedly requesting an ambulance in a 911 call from the South Carolina home where he had parachuted to safety, according to an audio recording released to AP. https://t.co/VMYET3tGcU
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 21, 2023
Dozens of nations on Wednesday began signing a first-ever treaty on protecting the international high seas, raising hopes that it will quickly come into force and lead to protection of threatened ecosystems vital to the planet.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 20, 2023
More: https://t.co/7GM5e3yyD2 pic.twitter.com/LNkRXZS3jd
U.S. President Biden Collides With Flagpole And Leaves Stage Without Shaking The Hands Of Brazilian President Lula
🇺🇸🤡 Not Biden violating the protocol of the UN. This is so embarrassing for all Americans.
— Spetsnaℤ 007 🇷🇺 (@Alex_Oloyede2) September 21, 2023
◽He went on stage without the President of Brazil, almost knocking down the flag of Brazil.
◽And he completely forgot to shake hands with Lula da Silva. pic.twitter.com/4xe84TPkID
The President of Brazil appeared visibly frustrated with Biden after Biden saluted reporters and bailed on a handshake. pic.twitter.com/5xh6sRtIhP
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) September 21, 2023
NYPost: Confused Biden walks into flag, then appears to anger Brazilian prez with handshake snub at UN
President Biden looked confused again Wednesday as he walked into a giant flag at the United Nations — then appeared to anger Brazil’s president by walking off stage without shaking his hand.
The gaffe-prone oldest US president in history walked into the 7-foot-tall Brazilian flag as he took the stage, taking a moment to get his bearings as the flag wobbled.
He then struggled with the headset of his translation device, soon noted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was with him for a joint speech agreeing to partner on workers’ rights.
Read more ....
Update #1: Joe Biden collides with flagpole and leaves stage without Brazilian president in gaffe filled incident (GBNews)
Update #2: Watch: President Biden's embarrassing moment with Brazilian president Lula da Silva (Hindustan Times)
WNU Editor: The optics of the US President looking lost and confused are terrible.
Poland's Prime Minister Says Poland Will Stop Providing Arms To Ukraine
CNN: Poland will stop providing weapons to Ukraine as dispute over grain imports deepens
Poland said Wednesday it will stop providing weapons to Ukraine amid a growing dispute between the two countries over a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports.
“We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on social media.
Poland has long been one of Ukraine’s staunchest backers since Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor, alongside multiple former Eastern bloc nations who fear they could be next if Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expansionist war is successful.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: A recent poll in Poland revealed widespread opposition to continue supporting Ukraine with weapons (approximately 75% against), and Polish parliamentary elections are coming up (October 15). So politics is at play right now.
Update: The Polish government is backtracking on the Prime Minister's remarks .... Polish President Says PM Was Misinterpreted On Ukraine Arms (AFP).
Poland's Prime Minister Says Poland Will Stop Providing Arms To Ukraine
Poland no longer supplying weapons to Ukraine amid grain row -- BBC
Poland says it will stop future weapons transfers to Ukraine -- CBC
One of Ukraine’s strongest allies says it will no longer supply Kyiv with weapons -- CNBC
Poland says it will no longer supply Ukraine with weapons -- DW
Poland signals halt to Ukraine weapons transfers amid trade dispute -- Financial Times
Syrian President Assad Is In China On His First Trip Since 2004
DNYUZ/New York Times: Syria's Leader Visits China in Search of Friends and Funds
President Bashar al-Assad of Syria arrived in China on Thursday as he sought financial support to rebuild his country and to improve his international standing after being ostracized over atrocities committed during Syria’s ongoing civil war.
His visit takes place as China seeks to present itself as a powerful influence in the Middle East, and a partner to nations that are shunned by the United States and the West. He is expected to meet with China’s top leader, Xi Jinping.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: China invited him. They even sent a passenger jet to pick him up. This is another sign on the importance of the Middle East to China's long term prosperity and security.
Syrian President Assad Is In China On His First Trip Since 2004
Syrian President Bashar Assad is in China on his first visit since the beginning of war in Syria -- AP
Syria's Assad in China, seeks exit from diplomatic isolation -- Reuters
Syria's Assad visits China for first time since civil war -- DW
Syria's Assad to Meet Xi on First China Trip Since 2004 -- Time
Syria’s Assad to visit China in first trip since 2004 -- Al-Monitor
Ukraine's Ministry Of Defense Fires Its Transgender Military Spokesperson Over 'Unapproved' Statements
Junior Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo has been suspended from the duties of the spokesperson of the @TDF_UA while an investigation is underway. https://t.co/4nN9z2YiW8
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 20, 2023
* Transgender Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, 45, has been suspended by Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces
* In a statement they said that her comments were 'not approved' by her chain of command
* Ashton-Cirillo was born in Florida, lives in New York and first arrived in Ukraine in March 2022 to work as a reporter
A transgender American woman has been suspended from her role as Ukrainian military spokesperson after posting a video threatening to 'hunt down' Russians.
Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, 45, has been removed from her post after making a video where she said that the 'Russian devils' will 'pay for their crimes.'
The Ukrainian Army said her words were not approved by higher-ups, though it is unclear exactly which statements provoked the suspension.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: This is why she was fired .... Ukraine Says It Will Hunt Down "Russian Propagandists" Around The World (September 13, 2023). Why it took the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense a week to fire her is another story.
Update: Glenn Greenwald is right (see tweet below).
Ukraine's military has long been employing a disturbed American, @SarahAshtonLV, as its English spokesperson.
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) September 20, 2023
We covered last week their insane, deranged threats to hunt down and punish all "Russian propagandists," meaning anyone (including Americans) critical of Ukraine: pic.twitter.com/7TaXdOoejr
Ukraine's Ministry Of Defense Fires Its Transgender Military Spokesperson Over 'Unapproved' Statements
Sarah Ashton-Cirillo Suspended as Spokesperson for Ukraine’s Territorial Defense -- Kyiv Post
Ukraine suspends US spokeswoman Sarah Ashton-Cirillo over unapproved statements -- AFP
Ukraine Suspends American Spox After GOP Senator's 'Spy' Warning -- Daily Beast
Ukraine's Transgender Military Spox Fired For 'Unapproved' Statements -- Zero Hedge
Reports Say Ukraine Will Not Get ATACMS Long-Range Missiles 'Anytime Soon'
US Army
Zero Hedge: Ukraine Will Not Get ATACMS Long-Range Missiles 'Anytime Soon': Fox
Currently, with Zelensky in New York and soon to arrive Washington, the big question remains whether the Biden administration will grant him something that has long topped Ukraine's wish list: the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS.
Fox News Pentagon correspondent Lucas Tomlinson says it's looking like the White House is set against it, for now at least. His sources told him the following:
Ukraine will not get ATACMS, the 190-mile-range tactical ballistic missiles, urgently requested by Zelensky to destroy Russian forces in Crimea and other Russian-held territory ‘anytime soon,’ officials say. News comes one day before Zelensky visits Biden at the White House.
Read more ...
Update #1: Reuters: US to send more cluster munitions to Ukraine, not ATACMS -- Euromaidan
Update #2: Reuters: Planned $325 million US military aid package for Ukraine not to include ATACMS - Kyiv Independent
WNU Editor: It looks like Zelensky and his allies are going to be disappointed .... Will Zelenskyy’s Washington visit help deliver ATACMS for Ukraine? (Atlantic Council). But I am still predicting the U.S. will eventually ship ATACMS in the near future .... Decision To Give ATACMS To Ukraine Is About To Become Easier (The Warzone).
