'Zelenski's Demise' - Gordon Hahn Provides His Political Obit
Gordon Hahn has written a political obituary of Vladimir Zelenski and the Ukrainian state.
It reviews what had happened in Ukraine since the Maidan coup. It shows how the rise of Zelenski, with all the promises he made that went unfulfilled, turned into a catastrophe for the country. How his gain of power increased his narcissistic self and absolutism until he stumbled into losing a war that he could have prevented and finally fell from grace.
Sad Clown with the Circus Closed Down*: Zelenskiy’s Demise
It is a long detailed and highly recommendable piece. It closes with this:
There was always something out of kilter about a former comic, who once simulated playing the piano with his penis, taking over the helm of a geo-strategically pivotal state caught between two antagonistic great powers on the world stage. Now the Maidan regime, quite a circus in its time, and its vessel – the Ukrainian state – are shutting down, and their leader, Volodomyr Zelenskiy, like a sad clown with his circus closed down, has nowhere to go.
I am sure that the U.S. will find Zelenski a place where they can put him away. He will likely be allowed to keep his loot. He may survive for awhile but the fascist powers in Ukraine, which he helped to increase, will come back to haunt and probably kill him.
Posted by b on December 12, 2023 at 14:33 UTC | Permalink
next page »His death, by whatever means will be far kinder than the terror and torture he and his cabal visited upon those compelled to serve his vainglorious sacrificial army
Posted by: S Brennan | Dec 12 2023 14:52 utc | 2
Zelensky isn't going anywhere any time soon, neither is Ukraine.
Posted by: bored | Dec 12 2023 14:50 utc | 1
This is a good thing. Zelensky and Ukraine are playing a pivotal role in the controlled demolition of the Anglo-American Empire.
Long may he reign.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Dec 12 2023 14:56 utc | 3
War until the last ukrainian
https://lostarmour.info/news/sbrosu-po-pehote-vsu-ujnuy-front https://lostarmour.info/news/drone_23_12_10_02_yuzhny_front
https://lostarmour.info/news/unichtojennie-boeviki-russian-airborne-4796 https://lostarmour.info/news/transheya-ada-zavas26-4791
https://lostarmour.info/news/fpv_23_12_09_01-07_sudoplatov
https://lostarmour.info/news/fpv_23_12_11_sudoplatov
Posted by: Psycho | Dec 12 2023 14:58 utc | 4
Yes, exactly. This is why the end of Ukraine will be so horrible. It's Hitler in the Bunker stuff. Zelensky has full control of state repression so he can hold on to power while boys and cripples die for him. Saddam Hussein predicted that he wouldn't just die in bed, he knew his end would be violent.
He can't hold elections. He can't resign or retire. Ukraine will not surrender. The fall of Avdeevka will be just a passing event - and every defeat thereafter. He's "the last Ukrainian".
Posted by: Eighthman | Dec 12 2023 15:19 utc | 5
Why would the Americans let him keep anything?
With all the lies he told, all the knowledge he has about their committed atrocities, with how easy it would be for him to implicate the Yanks and Brits and how uppity he behaved in the last months, I would say there is quite a distinct chance for his handlers to end his life prematurely. The Empire has no friends.
Posted by: Roland | Dec 12 2023 15:21 utc | 6
No. America hates losers. Look at the Shah's life post America. He couldn't even get healthcare at the end of his life. Some of the Shah's family got away and settled in California but the Shah just had a target on his back the rest of his life. He couldn't move an inch without somebody sticking a hand in his pocket.
Saakashvili still found some use to the empire in Ukraine but wore out his welcome there and fled back to Georgia to cause more trouble. Georgia got smarter though and put him in a prison cell. Great place for him.
Zelensky can't run. He is trapped. He might as well stay in power for as long as he can at this point. Maybe some elaborate escape plan where he changes his appearance and gets fake documentation and settles on some tiny island someplace. I'm sure he is tracked 24/7 though. It would be tough to pull off
Posted by: Goldhoarder | Dec 12 2023 15:24 utc | 7
It's not just weapons they need, but basic financial support to keep the government operational. I think the number is $40b. They will receive at least some of this from the EU. How much and how soon is unknown. The flooding of the Kiev metro shows how basic infrastructure is breaking down, not to mention the electric grid, central heating, etc. It is not enough to just cover normal expenses, as the social costs of the war will continue to increase as the conflict drags on.
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 12 2023 15:25 utc | 8
In defense of Zelenski, clown presidents have been de rigueur in the USA since 1963, with many scattered here and there before that time.
Anyway, the point is that clowns are extremely popular worldwide and becoming more so.
Boris, that new dipshit in Argentina, Maclown, Dubya Bush, Reaganclown, Schwarzenneger clown, Obamaclown, and etc.
Posted by: Chaka Khagan | Dec 12 2023 15:27 utc | 9
Zelensky is an actor. He was hired to play a role. When the gig is done he will look for somewhere warm to retire to. I see no reason why he won’t succeed in finding somewhere appropriate.
Posted by: Andrew A. | Dec 12 2023 15:28 utc | 10
The question remains - what will peace look like ?
My guess and it is only an opinion, is the West / EU won't be treated in the negotiations as harshly as many expect by Putin, as he is a conservative.
They won't get the settlement they fully deserve for their war mongering behaviour and how they treated Russia over the last few years.
As for me the whole thing is turning into a right wing conservative fuck fest. Putin as a fellow Conservative will let them off lightly at the negotiating table. As it will all be about business and nothing too personal. Which will leave a lot of people angry.
That's the world of geopolitics run by the Upper class. A monster meeting of gangsters.
Could be wrong, would like nothing more than to be proved wrong and would love nothing more than NATO and the EU to break up. Alas, that's not how the Upper class roll when theirs money to be made and deals to be done.
At least peace stops all the killing but the outcome could leave quite a few feeling angry. As true justice will not be served.
Posted by: Echo Chamber | Dec 12 2023 15:40 utc | 11
Posted by: Echo Chamber | Dec 12 2023 15:40 utc | 11
Thank fuck your post isn’t about MMT for a change! Keep it up!
Posted by: Vragtes | Dec 12 2023 15:50 utc | 12
If Zelensky had any brains, he'd negotiate a deal with the russians, and fly to Moscow. Russia is probably the only place he'd be moderatly safe in, they'd keep him on a leash for the rest of his life, but he'd probably get to live it out. And the Russians might be happy to get all the beans he can spill about the Biden family, what was exactly said and done by the USA, Europe and the UK.
Think of what a show that would be! There'd be free whisky here at the bar for a few weeks!
Posted by: Shahmaran | Dec 12 2023 15:52 utc | 13
The Russians will be happy if Zelensky stays in power because his military ineptitude is contributing toward their ultimate victory. In WWII, allied policy advisors argued against plans to assassinate Hitler for the same reason.
Posted by: HH | Dec 12 2023 15:54 utc | 14
And the beat goes on:
Tusk: Poland will 'demand full mobilization' of West to help Ukraine
https://news.yahoo.com/tusk-poland-demand-full-mobilization-123448302.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Posted by: bored | Dec 12 2023 16:02 utc | 15
The Polish border has been blocked again, for trucks at least, after a brief opening. Tass seems to agree that Tusk's priority will be EU relations and unfreezing of funds held up for Poland's political stance. The Ukrainians managed to load trucks on trains to bypass the border blocade, so western weapons will continue to flow by rail, perhaps with some delays.
Finland will reopen three border crossings with Russia.
The west is talking about formulating a new war strategy for Kiev in 2024, but there is no agreement on what this should be.
I expect that Russia will maintain pressure along the front for the near term without any fundamental changes in strategy to further reduce Kiev's reserve forces and equipment and to watch how circumstances develop on all fronts (military and financial support for Kiev and combat effectiveness along the front).
Too soon to prognosticate about the form of any eventual settlement.
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 12 2023 16:10 utc | 16
I’m just not seeing that. They’ve no one that can really replace him atm. I can see him moving in the background more, with others like Klitschko having more limelight, but until US is actually ready to sign papers I think Zelensky will stay where he is.
Another 2-3 quarters of grift… by this time next year, they’ll be ready to saddle “defeat” on him.
NOTE: May be nothing, but Ray McGovern on Judge seemed to believe Zelensky was “summoned” to DC for the discussion of a False Flag to come.
Then I remembered how Biden met with Scholtz prior to NS2 pipeline blow up, and “informed” him prior to event.
So, with all the TASS reports of both Chemical & BioWeapons “usage” actually, not even “rumors of possible use”… I do wonder, besides passing him 2-300 million for December… what is DC plotting?
In any event, I’ve never bought into the “funding is run dry” or DC is ready to leave, or any of that. They have to close 2023 books, and wrangling interest rates with Fed… nothing more, they will print the money (stated b4… my pool bet: Ukraine 44 Billion)
Anyways, Zelensky still planning on holding another “Global Peace Initiative” to get support for his 10 point peace proposal… which also may get altered.
He’s called up China, tried to stop in Brazil on his way to Argentina (LuLu refused visit), hammering Orban, and making his rounds again. Guessing that meeting will be next quarter…
Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 12 2023 16:23 utc | 17
IMO, a circus is the wrong analogy, for they're generally happy and joyful places that provide entertainment of value, and Ukraine isn't that whatsoever. It's more like a house of horrors. The world's never seen a puppet like Zelensky; but then the world's never experienced the sort of war being waged between the Outlaw US Empire and Russia. As badly as ordinary Ukrainians need Zelensky to negotiate, anything meaningful won't happen anytime soon as the Neocons will keep Ukraine in their grip as long as they can. For its part, Russia still needs to establish additional facts on the ground that can't be negotiated away and to fulfill SMO's goals.
IMO, the longer the SMO continues the greater the chance EU/NATO crack via centrifugal socio-economic pressures that will help free many European nations from their colonial subjugation to the Outlaw US Empire.
I hope Z. can sneak his family out safely. His Nazi and his US employers will not be sympatheic.
Posted by: lester | Dec 12 2023 16:29 utc | 19
RE: “That's the world of geopolitics run by the Upper class. A monster meeting of gangsters.”
by: Echo Chamber | Dec 12 2023 15:40 utc | 11
I don’t know if you’re wrong or not either, but the evidence of “business” takes precedence, is certainly there. But had Russia been willing to subjugate Russia to the mighty business & USA dollar… it would be looking like Germany right now. So, Russia did indeed sacrifice, in multiple ways, to at the very least, serve its own businesses & banks.
It’s a start.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 12 2023 16:35 utc | 20
@karlof1 | Dec 12 2023 16:23 utc | 18
IMO, the longer the SMO continues the greater the chance EU/NATO crack via centrifugal socio-economic pressures that will help free many European nations from their colonial subjugation to the Outlaw US Empire.Yes, this is the key aspiration from my point of view. Keep Zelensky and Stoltenberg where they are until EU and NATO cracks.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but I wanna have my kicks before the whole shithouse goes up in flames” - Jim Morrison
Posted by: Norwegian | Dec 12 2023 16:35 utc | 21
"How his gain of power increased his narcissistic self and absolutism until he stumbled into losing a war that he could have prevented and finally fell from grace."
Utter nonsense. Zelensky never had any personal agency. He was Kolomoisky's creature from well before the Maidan, he never had any power base of his own. He became president because of the machinations of the US and Britain and their oligarch stooges in Ukraine, and stayed in power at the pleasure of the Banderite stooges of the US and Britain. The war in Ukraine was simply the unfolding of a plan that began to take shape before the end of the second world war. This is typical western bullshit, placing the onus on the individual foibles and missteps of the minions hired to exectute the schemes of the real elites. I have no sympathy for Elensky, but he's just a puppet. Assassinate him, try him, give him a lush life in Miami, or leave him in place in Kiev, it doesn't matter, except very, very slightly to the optics of US failure in Ukraine. Elensky is just a distraction.
Posted by: Honzo | Dec 12 2023 16:43 utc | 22
Norwegian | Dec 12 2023 16:35 utc | 22--
Thanks for your reply. The desperation is becoming overt.
An excerpt from Maria Zakharova's weekly briefing on Ukraine:
Washington officials are showing wonders of cunning and cynicism in trying to convince taxpayers that the money was not wasted, but that it was well spent. Antony Blinken said that 90% of the funds allocated to Kyiv were actually invested within the United States for the development of the American military-industrial complex, becoming a stimulus for the American economy. I wasn't even ashamed to say it. As well as to develop the idea that, as it turns out, assistance to Ukraine is "a win-win situation for everyone, so it is necessary to continue it." If this is such a great domestic American investment, maybe it was necessary to invest 100% "in the United States" and not touch Ukraine? Now this money should go to the development of the American economy in the form of direct investment.This shows that they are not just hypocritical and misleading, but have already lied so much that they are ready to prolong their political, financial and strategic machinations under any pretext. They are ready to do any nonsense, as long as they give them money.
In fact, Washington has once again shamelessly admitted that Ukraine is nothing more than a way to line their pockets tighter. No one in the capital of the "leader of the democratic world" has ever cared about the fact that the cost of such investments is estimated at hundreds of thousands of human lives, crippled destinies, destroyed by the state of Ukraine, and Ukrainian land contaminated with depleted uranium.
She follows those paragraphs with the following that gore a massive hole into Blinken and the rest of Team Biden. It would make great election material for anyone opposing Biden:
Then I have a question for Antony Blinken. How do such "successful" domestic investments (as the Secretary of State said, 90% goes to support the American military-industrial complex) relate to food security, which the United States is so worried about and which has become part of the machinations around Ukraine? Countries can't even pay, physically transfer money for fertilizers. All of Washington's "games" have led to a slowdown in global economic, financial and logistical processes. It turns out that all of this is just part of the domestic investment in the United States. Why didn't they say earlier, when everything was being started, that, first of all, it was about how to redistribute American taxpayers' money within US state corporations, financial structures, pyramid schemes and business communities that are closer to the White House? This is what should have been said when Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was handing out buns on the Maidan.Today, on December 12, Vladimir Zelensky again went to Washington with his hand outstretched. This is being done with the knowledge of President Joe Biden. The stated goal is to "underscore the United States' unwavering commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine." Is this part of 90% of domestic investment? Or does it fit into 10%? In short, nothing new. Against the backdrop of fierce discussions in the US Congress, Vladimir Zelensky will once again beg the owners and producers of his terrible tragicomic show not to stop generously sponsoring the Kiev regime. In fact, they are trying to persuade the White House to care about Ukraine more than about the Americans themselves. I wonder how he will quote Antony Blinken.
And so it goes. Nuland's Coup Cookies were an investment in the USA. I can smell Obama; what about the rest of the bar?
RE: by: bored | Dec 12 2023 16:02 utc | 15
Thanks for link. You’re right, he comes out of the gate swinging his dick around first thing. Another EU idiot that thinks he’s powerful.
“Newly elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Dec. 12 that Poland will “loudly and decisively demand the full mobilization of the free world, the Western world, to help Ukraine in this war.”
We’ll go on cock… send your “mobilized guys” on in there then. Go on, go “help Ukraine”. Go see where it gets ya.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 12 2023 16:46 utc | 24
When Prigozhin launched his [failed coup] I said he was a dead man walking. Same now with Zelensky, albeit his end will be ordered from Langley not the Lubyanka. He knows too much. It will of course be blamed on Mad Bad Vlad. I understand he is guarded by ex-UK and US special force types. In which case he is definitely dead. I am sure he knows this.
So he will play his assigned role in the vain hope his puppet masters give him an even break.They won't. He has had his 15 minutes in the sun. My guess he will be replaced, sent to Florida for a happy retirement, and once on holiday in Aspen have a fatal encounter with an icepick, Russian sourced. Or maybe he won't make it that far. But optics are everything it seems, as is plausible deniability.
His only hope of survival is probably to flee to Russia or maybe China. The ex-SAS and Green Beret types are in place to stop that. Dead man walking.
Posted by: marcjf | Dec 12 2023 16:52 utc | 25
"Zelenski.. may survive for awhile but the fascist powers in Ukraine, which he helped to increase, will come back to haunt and probably kill him."
I am convinced that behind Russia's strategy of minimizing civilian casualties in their SMO lies also a plan of future enlistment of Ukrainians against the West.
The day will come, when the realization that their Slavic brethren Russia is their only true friend, and the Westerners who cheated and used them to wage war on a geopolitical adversary will be met with their time of reckoning. Western leaders openly brag about their proxy force nurtured to fight Russia. The day will come, when it will all be turned back against them. With any luck, the targets will be only those responsible, and not the wider population.
Whatever form that blowback will take, there is clear historical precedent, both in former fighters turning rogue against the West (Mujahideen > AlQaeda) as well as Russia's subjugation of former foes turning them into their most loyal and formidable fighters (Chechnia, to name the most recent example).
I agree that Zelensky's grim future is all but assured, let us hope the degenerates who empowered him are also not forgotten.
Posted by: Rubiconned | Dec 12 2023 16:54 utc | 26
RE: karlof1 | Dec 12 2023 16:45 utc | 24
Indeed with a whiff of Hillary-Bolton mixed in!
Has anyone else noticed the DC plagiarism Biden notorious for previously) of Xi’s (China’s) “win-win cooperation” which always originated from China and now adapted in DC to somehow manipulate the public into believing that DC gives a crap about anyone else “winning”??.
It’s just a weird phraseology theft that’s so obvious it cringeworthy.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 12 2023 16:56 utc | 27
President Zelensky’s office openly made it clear that those who criticize the authorities risk running into serious trouble, from seizure of property to criminal cases.They will become "nightmare" at the slightest hint of "zrada". Klitschko, who seemed to have chosen the side of Zaluzhny, Poroshenko and Avakov, began to feel this the hard way: a negative media campaign began and sources of income began to be cut.
However, now one gets the impression that the Ukrainian authorities are really fighting “against everyone”: against Telegram, seeing in the messenger a direct competitor to state propaganda (considering that few people watch the failed telethon promoting Bankova), against the Western media, blaming them for the growth dissent in the country, against individual foreign and domestic politicians, political scientists and experts who attract public opinion to the problems of the population, even those related to the lack of basic heating or light. The president's office is ready to classify virtually all dissidents as "enemies of the people."
And for Bankova, given that “the wind has changed”, Western assistance is “at a minimum”, and the rating of the ruling party and Zelensky is falling every day, now the primary task is to “cut off” the people of objective sources of information about the state of affairs in the country.
https://t.me/rezident_ua/20790
Posted by: Down South | Dec 12 2023 16:58 utc | 28
Saw Kuleba (Ukraine's FM) holding a press conference in EU parliament the other day. He seemed to be very anxious, and nervous, complaining about that every time they supposedly achieved some EU set reform goal, they are given another goal.
My take is the reason they are nervous because Ukraine will soon be printing money, and hyper inflation without monthly 5 - 10 billion EUR/USD injections is not far off. The thing is a house of cards.
Germany's economy is pretty much completely dead and declining, which will affect the entire EU budget. Meanwhile, the EU economic system is chained to the US, who is much worse off in terms of debt ratios, and interest payments. Since EU is tied to US, EU interest rates and monetary policy is also tied to the US. EU must maintain higher rates and tighter policy even in this occurring scenario where the economy is effectively a zombie, which exacerbates the decline further. US situation furthermore is tied to losing petrodollar position, which seems to be a continuous spiral of death.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 12 2023 17:01 utc | 29
Trubind1 | Dec 12 2023 16:56 utc | 28--
Thanks for your reply. Maria's in fine form today taking on almost all of NATO. Once the transcript's complete, I'll have the choice selections as usual at my substack, but that won't be for several hours. Here's part of her assault on Denmark:
In December of this year, the Prosecutor General's Office of Denmark refused in response to the request of the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation for legal assistance in investigating sabotage on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines. This did not come as a surprise. We were guessing how it would end. This only confirmed the policy of the Danish authorities to conceal the truth about the true customers and perpetrators of the terrorist attacks.The Danish side, as in March of this year, referred to the absurd assertion that the fulfillment of the Russian request could allegedly jeopardize Denmark's security. Wow! In other words, when gas pipelines are blown up in Denmark's special economic zone, it's normal, it's part of security. Something that is a habitual, routine thing. And when you ask what happened, it's no longer safe. A kind of theater of the absurd.
Echo Chamber | Dec 12 2023 15:40 utc | 11
As for me the whole thing is turning into a right wing conservative fuck fest. Putin as a fellow Conservative will let them off lightly at the negotiating table. As it will all be about business and nothing too personal.
! 💩 Des conneries ! VVP is a russian ! For him Mother and her children will always come first. So, softly, softly let us entice the vicious beasts that wish to surround us and deal with them when we are ready.
Posted by: Sarlat La Canéde | Dec 12 2023 17:09 utc | 31
Separating the Zionists from the Israelis overplaces the Zionists. The glue has set and bonded the pair. The Israelis for Peace Party, however, has a pristine and unique opportunity to distinguish themselves by coming into existence.
Posted by: Elmagnostic | Dec 12 2023 17:19 utc | 32
Outside of performing the role of “wartime leader”, Zelensky has enjoyed limited agency. He had no military or strategic background or experience, I.e. he is not making the decisions of this war. Who paid for his stylist team? Someone came up with the look: the olive green t-shirts, the haircut and beard. The work of the stylist team, at least, has been consistent and professional.
Posted by: jayc | Dec 12 2023 17:22 utc | 33
[email protected], Jews For Peace In Occupied Palestine.....that's actually distinguished.
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Dec 12 2023 17:33 utc | 34
Posted by: jayc | Dec 12 2023 17:22 utc | 34
It's been clear for a long time Zelensky is a complete product built up by the corporate media. Nothing less, nothing more.
In the first half of 2022 there were leaks about how a British marketing firm was tasked with shaping Zelensky's image. They even showed the green-screen studio room where Zelensky makes all his videos, with changing backgrounds. It was pretty hilarious. Zelensky was standing and speaking in front of a screen, where the background was formulated with graphics design programs.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 12 2023 17:33 utc | 35
Don't take a victory lap yet, the US is perfectly content to fight to the very last Ukrainian, then it's time to Send In The Poles (sung to the tune of "Send In The Clowns").
No, the average frustrated Pole won't be happy about this, but nobody will ask Jacek or Maciej or Gosia their opinion, either.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 17:36 utc | 36
Gordon Hahn's piece is a petulant lamentation of a disappointed western supremacist. It lacks both depth and clarity. As much as I detest Zelensky, I also know that he (Zelensky) doesn't have the power to make any move contrary to what the West asks of him. Hypocrites like Gordon Hahn are just doing the hatchet job assign to them by the Western oligarchs.
Posted by: Steve | Dec 12 2023 17:36 utc | 37
thanks b...
i will check out the article..
@ karlof1 | Dec 12 2023 16:23 utc | 18 and @ jayc | Dec 12 2023 17:22 utc | 34
2 posters who i agree with here.. that all needs to be said.. thanks guys..
Posted by: james | Dec 12 2023 17:37 utc | 38
I suggest Nelson NZ ... and a moustache and different outfit (golfing clothes may be?).
Very polite people will pretend not to recognize him if he could refrain from yelling.
Sunny afternoons, pretty good wine, 300 different kinds of quiches, sailing, fishing ...
Posted by: Greg Galloway | Dec 12 2023 17:39 utc | 39
"And the beat goes on:
Tusk: Poland will 'demand full mobilization' of West to help Ukraine
https://news.yahoo.com/tusk-poland-demand-full-mobilization-123448302.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Posted by: bored | Dec 12 2023 16:02 utc | 15"
Basically, the first thing Tusk did upon taking power today. This shows what his real priorities are, and, more importantly, the priorities of his American and German Masters.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 17:43 utc | 40
Zelensky promised his American partners to increase the number of manpower in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Therefore, large-scale raids are now underway in Ukraine for unlimited mobilization.
https://t.me/legitimniy/16883
Back in May, we wrote that the mobilization age would be lowered from 27 to 25 years.This is beneficial for corrupt officials for profit, beneficial for fulfilling mobilization reports, and very necessary for the authorities to close the gaps in manpower that formed after the summer offensive.
Our source adds that reducing mobilization from 27 to 25 years old will not improve the situation. In a year, the authorities will be forced to lower the mobilization age to 20 years. This is a death spiral, where every step you take does not correct the situation, but only delays the natural outcome. At the same time, there will be more destruction and grief.
https://t.me/legitimniy/16881
Our source in the OP said that Zelensky is ready to mobilize an additional 500 thousand Ukrainians for a new counter-offensive, while the Office of the President agrees with the General Staff to lower the age limit to 20 years.
https://t.me/rezident_ua/20792
Posted by: Down South | Dec 12 2023 17:55 utc | 41
⚡️🇷🇺🇺🇦⚔️ Front #Summary for 12 Dec 2023 by 19:04⚡️🔹In #Kherson Direction, it is reported from the field that our military have significantly strengthened their control over the piers and approaches to our coast. Our forces are striking boats carrying reserves and supplies to the AFU. Their numbers in #Krynki are inevitably decreasing. Localised daily battles at parity of forces also continue on the islands.
🔹In #Zaporozhye Direction, heavy rain and wind interfere with the work of artillery and drones. So there is relative calm at the front. Only at the #Verbovoye - #Novofyodorovka line our military repelled attacks by small AFU groups.
🔹In #SouthDonetsk Direction, our forces are gradually moving the front in the area of #Novomikhaylovka.
▪️ In #Maryinka, ours have advanced a little further near the #Maryinka Water Reservoir. However, the AFU presence in a small area in the northern part of the town remains.🔹In #Donetsk Direction, on the southern #Avdeyevka flank, our units were able to enter the territory of the city itself north of the #Vinogradniki Gardening Community. It is still too early to say that we have managed to gain a foothold. Fierce fighting continues in the area of Kolosova Street. In the large settlement of #Pervomayskoye, our artillery continues to work heavily on the AFU positions. Ours are clearing the way for ground attacks from the west. On the northern flank without significant changes today. Combat work to squeeze the AFU in #Stepovoye, towards #Novokalinovo and #Ocheretino continues. In #Gorlovka, the AFU today attempted to advance north of the town. Our army repulsed the attack, and the enemy withdrew to its initial positions.
🔹In #Bakhmut Direction, on northern flank of the city, our army continues to advance near #Bogdanovka and north of #Khromovo (#Artyomovskoye). So far, we have not been able to recapture the positions near #Grigorovka yet, fighting is ongoing. North of #Soledar at #Vesyoloye, ours are moving more actively, fighting is going on. Judging by the progress, ours are planning to encircle the village. Southwest of #Bakhmut, our army is advancing in the area of #Krasnoye towards Chasov Yar. This is one of the AFU key locations in the entire direction.
🔹In #Svatovo Direction, fighting continues in the area of #Sinkovka, which can fairly be called counter fighting. So far, the Russian army has made no significant advances here. The fighting in the area of #Kupyansk direction has practically quietened down due to the weather.
https://t.me/sitreports/19329
Posted by: Down South | Dec 12 2023 17:56 utc | 42
@Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 17:43 utc | 41
The Tusk statement is political grandstanding. What leverage does he have beyond the Polish borders to call for others to sacrifice for Ukraine when he needs support within the EU to free funds for Poland? Poland has $110b at stake and Hungary $50b, so where are the funds for Ukraine going to sit in the hierarchy of demands on the EU budget? Moldova's request is being cut with loans being offered instead of grants, Germany is facing it's own budgetary issues, etc, etc. Out of which hat are they going to pull the $50b Ukraine wants to plug its budget deficit? They will manage to scrape some kind of package together, but it is likely to be far short of the request.
As for a new western military strategy for Ukraine a few things come to mind given Ukraine's track record and current capabilities. Drone warfare at all levels from fpv drones at the front to longer range drones to attack the Russian rear including sea drones to attack Crimea. HIMARS ammunition to continue attacking Russian assets in the rear. Long range missiles of various types with the same objective. Ukraine will no doubt try to disrupt the Russian presidential election in the former Ukrainian territories. More assassination attempts. I don't believe they will try anything in Moldova as the political situation is not stable and stirring that pot might backfire. We will see. Some other provocation might be tried though. These are all things that don't directly depend on combat strength along the front which is weakening with no way to easily reverse that trend. Basically trying to hold out without losing large areas of additional territory in the near term.
If it comes to actually trying to open negotiations with Russia this may lead to a government collapse as the problem of how to assign blame for the previous failed strategy could fatally divide the political elite.
If the army loses resolve then all bets are off regarding consequences. So far this is not happening at meaningful scale, and may not for some time.
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 12 2023 18:15 utc | 43
If the powers that be are abandoning Zelenskyy, I see that as somewhat different from them abandoning the war against Russia. I suspect that they fear that the Zelenskyy regime is now stealing with both hands, shipping the funds offshore, and that a new regime will replace them, based on the premise of their having running the war in a criminally inept fashion, and for an unacceptable level of graft.
Washington could both know this, and also be helping to arrange it. Washington could see this as an inflection point, and their last opportunity to avoid going down in history as having been tied at the hip with the Zelenskyy regime corruption, and maladministdation of the war effort. America had the same idea in Viet Nam, but failed to build on it, and use the opportunity to cut its losses.
This could help explain both Washington's insistence that the AFU withdraw to a position of prepared defenses, and Zelenskyy's reluctance to do so. Once the withdrawal is complete, it will be labeled having been a retreat from an ill thought out, ill managed, offensive, and that Zelenskyy is to blame for that. That's what Zelenskyy's foes will say, and having the AFU behind secure lines is the best time for a coup against him. Having America call him away for a meeting would really set the stage, and quietly let everyone know that the fix was in.
Second to removing Zelenskyy, the best thing that America could do for Ukraine is to cooperate with the new regime in removing the Azov fellows from Kiev, and using our Special Forces to aid in that if necessary.
I think that President Putin would see that as a promising overture to establishing a communications channel, one where meaningful exchanges could take place.Though I don't see the war ending until Russia has taken a lot more territory. But having a government in power they thought they could deal with could make them a lot more inclined to take a moderate approach in denazifying Ukraine. Killing or expelling the Azov guys would go a long ways in establishing credibility for a new Ukrainian government.
Posted by: Babel-17 | Dec 12 2023 18:22 utc | 44
The most rational option for the Empire is for the President of Ukraine to suffer a fatal accident.
Any political replacement will, from the imperial viewpoint, have to be a fascist who will continue to pursue Zelensky's agenda of following orders from Washington.
If there is a power struggle it is possible, if not highly probable, that the fascists who rule through Zelensky will lose and the replacement will be a moderate calling for and end to war, negotiations and concessions to Russia. And that is why the CIA and MI6 are not going to allow a political struggle for power.
Air travel is so dangerous. I have long been of the opinion that the MH17 downing was a mistake made by Kiev's agents who were actually trying to shoot down Putin's plane, which passed quite close that day.
My guess is the Z teeters on the brink of martyrdom. I'm sure that Scorpion will discover that the I Ching advises him to steer clear of aeroplanes. And guided missiles too.
Posted by: bevin | Dec 12 2023 18:35 utc | 45
That's the world of geopolitics run by the Upper class. A monster meeting of gangsters.Posted by: Echo Chamber | Dec 12 2023 15:40 utc | 11
Pretty much. But only the Consiglieri of the managerial class go to the meetings. Occasionally a Count from the distaff side of a great house, a genetic eunuch, goes to meetings, one just died aged 100.
The ruling class has been largely invisible since they deposed all of the monarchs. Even in the most well known and powerful great houses, it is impossible for a peasant to know who is really calling the shots.
Posted by: Drifter | Dec 12 2023 18:41 utc | 46
The Ukrainian fascists cannot be easily separated from the political structures in Ukraine. Like Siamese twins, radical surgery wiuld be required with the death of one twin as a consequence. Blood loss inevitable.
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 12 2023 18:42 utc | 47
It just occurred to me that all the previous talk that bragged of Zelenskyy having some sort of a Jewish heritage, a convenient one that didn't compel him to go to Temple, could have a determining downside in the West never being able to get young people to serve in the military, and to bail out the Zelenskyy regime.
Netanyahu has ruined that for Zelenskyy, he's destroyed the brand, at least as far as being the Jewish head of a war government goes.
Polling shows, and demonstrations, marches, and protests bear out, that the very people the government needs to fill its ranks are mostly appalled by the actions of the Jewish head of state, Benjamin Netanyahu. And Zelenskyy has been seen trying to ingratiate himself to Netanyahu, and to his war effort!
No, I don't see any path forward for getting the youth of the West to fight Zelenskyy's war for him.
Posted by: Babel-17 | Dec 12 2023 18:46 utc | 48
Very shortest comment from the pig-pen-region in Friesland: Lock the cock-pianist in a pin pen along with Merkel, Baerbock, Nuland, Strack-Zimmermann and other beauties - then he will soon know who he will get weapons from! It will be a dreamlike death.
Posted by: hatomune | Dec 12 2023 18:48 utc | 49
Has anyone seen anything by Yuri Podolyaka lately. No subtitled pieces on Slavyangrad for a bit. I do listen to Military Summary while futzing around the kitchen. In past his "Oh the UKR moves in Kherson are important" fell on ears with wax in thenm. One paragraph of speech by Yuri talking about the logistical nightmare of it and the utter lack of any operational or strategic value there has become my view of the incursions onto the R bank.
The semi recent moves of some the more competent but dead tired UKR marine units into Krynki is just ludicrous. It has the hallmarks of Zelensky's buttprints. Not fingerprints.
Also if anyone sees any things by Vlad (who was on Ritter awhile back) he also has very short cogent comments - please post.
Posted by: paxmark1 | Dec 12 2023 18:51 utc | 50
@bored | Dec 12 2023 16:02 utc | 15
And the beat goes on:
Tusk: Poland will 'demand full mobilization' of West to help Ukraine
https://news.yahoo.com/tusk-poland-demand-full-mobilization-123448302.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Yep, the Polish goyim must do their duty, the show must go on.
Posted by: gT | Dec 12 2023 18:52 utc | 51
Scott Ritter interview in "Dialogue Works" program. Very good interview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpecq04wBwM
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 12 2023 18:59 utc | 52
"... And guided missiles too."
Posted by: bevin | Dec 12 2023 18:35 utc | 46
Tx for the grin in such somber times.
Posted by: waynorinorway | Dec 12 2023 19:02 utc | 53
bored | Dec 12 2023 14:50 utc | 1
Zelensky isn't going anywhere any time soon, neither is Ukraine. The US military just approved more money/supplies for Ukraine, bypassing Congress. Exact amount is unknown yet, but you can bet they'll push through the maximum they can get away with.
It's not a linear thing. Think tipping point. The Russians are increasing their military power while Ukrainians' military power is rapidly depleting. Civili unrest in Ukraine isn't far ahead. All those abductions to throw into the meat grinder will have very negative repercussions: I'm thinking, and hoping, that the average Ukrainians will realize that it was the Nazi faction that got them all into this ugly mess and that they'll completely renounce this faction.
To paraphrase Hemingway: it'll happen gradually and then suddenly. It's been happening gradually for some time now.
Posted by: Seer | Dec 12 2023 20:02 utc | 54
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 12 2023 18:15 utc | 44
What leverage does Tusk have? Simple - "Look how many Poles have been killed you owe us now Muh Western Credibility ZOMG!" Of course, those Poles will be sent to their deaths with a wink and a nod from Washington and Berlin, but Tusk no more cares about the sacrifice of his countrymen than Zelenskii cares about his.
And what you describe pretty much recapitulates the Politico article from a day or so ago. The West is nowhere near don giving up on Ukraine, much as we may wish otherwise.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 20:09 utc | 55
Any money Pudding-for-Brains announced is leftover from prior appropriations. It's basically scraping the bottom of the barrel. Good for PR, and not much more.
At this point, Ukraine is a full-fledged zombie ward of the state, with economic output so far below the level needed to support the government bureaucracy that it takes constant infusions of foreign cash to keep it from imploding.
Think Belize with a budget and sovereign debt equivalent to France.
After December bills start going unpaid and the creditors get nervous. Uncle Sam will have to either step up or it goes Weimar Republic.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Dec 12 2023 20:09 utc | 56
Posted by: Babel-17 | Dec 12 2023 18:46 utc | 49
"No, I don't see any path forward for getting the youth of the West to fight Zelenskyy's war for him."
Goering's words on getting the common people to fight when a war is not in their interest never grow old.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 20:11 utc | 57
Zelensky’s response to Biden’s betrayal and broken promises will be a determination to take Biden down with him.
How much evidence have Zelensky and his intelligence services got that incriminates Biden and his family ?
Is there a deal to be done between Zelensky and Biden’s enemies in the USA along the lines of protection for Zelensky in return for handing over ALL the dirt on Biden, his family, and his criminal collaborators?
Posted by: CitizenSmith | Dec 12 2023 20:33 utc | 58
Progozhin for man of the year!
Que viva Prigozhin!!
The Priggo kid
The Priggo kid, was a friend of mine 2x
He drink whiskey, Lukashenko drink thee wine 2x
They met down at the border Belarus 2x
Take Artemosvk, roast Zelensky's goose
The NATO cucks had 'em pinned down at the fort 2x
Priggo came in blastin' drinkin' port
They rode the sunset horse was made of steel 2x
Chase the sheep-dipped mercs across the fields
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Dec 12 2023 20:47 utc | 59
Ukraine is still very strong.
It is able to hold the line.
That is enough for them.
Russia is unable to resolve this war without nuclear weapons.
Posted by: zorge | Dec 12 2023 21:04 utc | 60
@bored | Dec 12 2023 16:02 utc | 15
And the beat goes on:
Tusk: Poland will 'demand full mobilization' of West to help Ukraine
https://news.yahoo.com/tusk-poland-demand-full-mobilization-123448302.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
EU citizens are ready for all possible sacrifices.
This war gave some purpose to their sad lives.
Posted by: zorge | Dec 12 2023 21:11 utc | 61
Posted by: bored | Dec 12 2023 14:50 utc | 1
###################
My military experience is limited to "Axis and Allies" and "Settlers of Catan", it doesn't seem to me that any amount of fiat US dollars will change the outcome of the SMO.
The US could send every penny to Ukraine (ostensibly so they can launder it back to Romney, Graham, and Hunter Biden) and I still don't see them overcoming the Russians' approach, commitment, or superior engineering.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Dec 12 2023 21:22 utc | 62
While it's tempting to put the blame on Zelensky, it's doubtful, given the composition of the government after the Maidan coup, that any other Ukrainian politician would have acted differently. No one not ready to be a pawn of NATO would ever have risen to a top position in Ukraine. Zelensky was an easy mark because he had no political experience, but they're all a bunch of corrupt Nazis, so this ending was inevitable.
Posted by: Janet | Dec 12 2023 22:01 utc | 63
Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 12 2023 16:35 utc | 21
That's true. Maybe a little bit of hope that still shines.
Posted by: Echo Chamber | Dec 12 2023 22:07 utc | 64
Massive hack of Ukraine shutting down Internet, banking, Kyivstar mobile operators.
Euro-cucks complaining that they cannot access their favorite findom girls on OnlyFans.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Dec 12 2023 22:09 utc | 65
Cnn now saying Russians have lost 87% of original fighting forces, according to "recently declassified" us docs...
So this is their end game: we killed a lot of rooskies and kept the hordes from invading Europe... let's give them only $200 million and call it a success
Posted by: Peter b | Dec 12 2023 22:10 utc | 66
See my #17 Post!!
I was on the money!! Stated 2-300 million:
“Biden pledges $200 million for Ukraine after Zelensky meeting
The US leader urged Congress to pass stalled “supplemental funds” for Kiev as he met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky” 🍺
Lol 😂 Feel now my “pool bet of 44 Billion” in January maybe “lowball”… but sticking with it… thought about raising it to 46-48… but placed my bet… so 44 Billion it is.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 12 2023 22:11 utc | 67
@Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 20:09 utc | 56
@zorge | Dec 12 2023 21:11 utc | 62
Talk is cheap. I doubt that anything concrete will come of his inaugural bluster.
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 12 2023 22:13 utc | 68
Zelensky has most definitely NOT been a tool of the USA. USA wanted an insurgency in Ukraine, not a regular war, and insurgency is still what USA wants. Supposedly, Zaluzhny was on board with the USA plan, which would have meant defending the big cities. Dislodging a well prepared army from a place like Dnipro, which is full of old steel mills and similar massive industrial facilities, would be extremely difficult. Water easy to obtain from the river or wells, so just need a decade supply of stored food and weapons. And that's just Dnipro. Tons of other city/industrial fortresses in east Ukraine. Just look at how difficult to take Avdiivka, which tiny compared to Dnipro.
It was Zelensky and Ermak who decided on a regular war for political reasons, because they had campaigned on the slogun of "territorial integrity" and "Crimea is ours!" They couldn't back down from those ambitious goals and still can't, because then the west Ukrainians and Kyivians will ask "so what is the reason for this disastrous war then, if we lose the southeast Oblasts?"
Russia definitely wants to keep Zelensky in power as long as possible because he is guaranteeing the extermination of Ukraine's military potential. USA wants him gone but won't kill him because that risks the nationalists turning savagely on the USA and Britain for interfering in Ukraine too directly. But USA can get rid of Zelensky indirectly by cutting off the money spigot. If they do it slowly, there is plausible denyabilty that the cut is because of USA budget issues, inflation, Israel, presidential election, etc, so less likelihood of triggering the nationalists.
Cutting money will lead to inflation and civil unrest. After that, it's anyone's guess. My guess is civil unrest will coincide will military defeats at Avdiivka and elsewhere, and military takeover of Ukraine will be the only option. Probably military will put a real politician as front man, like Klitsko, then hold an election to legitimatize the new government.
After that, negotiations can begin, but the new government won't like the Russian terms, plus the USA presidential election puts everything on hold. So it will take until 2025 to end the war.
Posted by: anonposter | Dec 12 2023 22:15 utc | 69
The US military just approved more money/supplies for Ukraine, bypassing Congress. Exact amount is unknown yet, but you can bet they'll push through the maximum they can get away with.
Posted by: bored | Dec 12 2023 14:50 utc | 1
That's not how that works. That money has already been allocated by Congress. It is almost the last amount of money the US can send, and it was a paltry amount - 100 million dollars.
No more aid can be sent without Congressional approval, which isn't happening until at least late January or February. By then, it will be too late.
Posted by: James M. | Dec 12 2023 22:21 utc | 70
as well as all the previous suggestions for the continuing "career" of Z... I do believe he is needed to be publically and internationally humiliated when he has to sign some kind of settlement documentation....then proceed to ensure that the Ukr Constitution and subsequent changes to legislation as required is legally amended to comply with that settlement and Russian interests...which has to ensure that he and cronies will attend war crimes by being prosecuted by the evidence of the White Book of documented crimes against Donbass....then of course supervise suitable reparations from his and others assets...including his countries assets.Then.....after being politically castrated....
Posted by: Jo | Dec 12 2023 22:23 utc | 71
There is a lot of wishful thinking on this website.
If you listen Dima, you can hear that many many Russians are dying, daily.
Kremlin is afraid to attack Ukro electric grid or use nuclear weapons.
Look what Israel is doing.
Posted by: zorge | Dec 12 2023 22:31 utc | 72
Talk is cheap. I doubt that anything concrete will come of his inaugural bluster.
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 12 2023 22:13 utc | 69
We can hope. But please do not confuse me with zorge, who is obviously a troll who says whatever stupid shit comes into his skull to get a rise out of people.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 22:32 utc | 73
heck..live just now 22.30 UK time ...aljazeera continuing coverage re UN 157countries having voted .... cut off Z speaking alongside Biden after that struggling dumb idiot was speaking trying to explain and show his pathetic concern re aid activities to Palestine.
So hope it is documented somewhere ...
Posted by: Jo | Dec 12 2023 22:32 utc | 74
Posted by: anonposter | Dec 12 2023 22:15 utc | 70
It seems US is doubling down on Ukraine. Pentagon sent its top brass or some top generals to Kiev to take direct control of all AFU planning and execution. Not that it would probably make much of a difference, certainly no reason why it should make things better.
Pentagon also told Zaluzhny to 'not lose', which probably would equate to giving up some open ground. So what they are doing they are trying to squeeze the maximum amount of time before the thing collapses.
Of course, were they to retreat to Dnipro or Zaporozhye or other large cities for example, would be a significant PITA for RUAF.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 12 2023 22:32 utc | 75
Agree w/ @70 that Zee is Russia's best asset, right now.
Let him mobilize 15 and 74 year olds. The demographic disaster guarantees that the only export from Ukraine for next 50 years will be cam girls.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Dec 12 2023 22:37 utc | 76
@anonposter:
One thing all successful insurgencies in recent decades have in common is a young population.
The median age in Yemen is something like 19. The median age in Ukraine was over 40 - and that figure is from before the war, before young men got killed in droves and any young man with any sense fled for Russia or the EU. If they weren't eager to fight before, they probably aren't itching to return and take up arms now.
That doesn't mean that the Americans won't try to forment an insurgency, just that Ukraine is no exactly ideal for one.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 22:39 utc | 77
Posted by: anonposter | Dec 12 2023 22:15 utc | 70
It seems US is doubling down on Ukraine. Pentagon sent its top brass or some top generals to Kiev to take direct control of all AFU planning and execution. Not that it would probably make much of a difference, certainly no reason why it should make things better.
Pentagon also told Zaluzhny to 'not lose', which probably would equate to giving up some open ground. So what they are doing they are trying to squeeze the maximum amount of time before the thing collapses.
Of course, were they to retreat to Dnipro or Zaporozhye or other large cities for example, would be a significant PITA for RUAF.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 12 2023 22:32 utc | 76
If Ukrainians try to hole up in the cities, then surround them. Let civilians leave like they left Mariupol, but search any military age men.
Of course, this isn't rocket surgery, but it does require manpower to execute.
Posted by: Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 22:49 utc | 78
Posted by: Vragtes | Dec 12 2023 15:50 utc | 12
Sorry buddy if I annoy you. I don't mean to or do it on purpose.
I only post about money if people mis represent it. So it is not my fault if I have to do it. It is the ignorance of others regarding money that creates my paragraphs.
I simply refuse to let it happen in here. The outside world has enough ideologues and idiots and groupthink as it is. We don't need them in here spreading their gold standard, fixed exchange rate myths.
If people understood money there would be zero, no money posts from me. I think all of us ( including me ) are making some progress on this. I used to be a lot worse believe it or not.
The emotional responses regarding money have all but disappeared unless some newcomer appears. The debating has begun. Which all things considered in a world of adults can only be a good thing right ? The debates show there is not that much difference between humans and it is very easy to find some common ground. Not if they don't understand money.
Which is what moon of Alabama is all about. Free speech and free from GROUPTHINK and finding common ground. Debating on what we disagree on.
I offer solutions to problems using the actual balance sheets of the real world. Rather than just complain about things and stay in a state of moaning about the world. Only to encourage debate. Hear other people's ideas on how they think ( Brics) the real world should be fixed. Moving away from the status quo and failed monetary systems of the past.
It is very important if we all want a new Multi polar world. Yet, Refuse to learn from the mistakes of the past.
:)
Posted by: Echo Chamber | Dec 12 2023 22:49 utc | 79
Posted by: Feral Finster | Dec 12 2023 22:49 utc | 79
Yes agreed, such cities could be hard to take, but they are easy to surround. At this point with AFU mainly being capable of defending in urban or forested or fortified areas only, they would not last long trying to defend perimeter of those cities and would eventually whole up.
Even not taking those large cities, by now, contrary to Feb '22, RUAF is capable of pretty much fully encircling cities leaving token force to contain them. RUAF can achieve their political goals even without fully assaulting cities such as Dnepr by simply cutting them off and leaving them to wither.
This to some extent was what they tried to do in the beginning, but there weren't simply enough mass to contain everything while expanding to all directions.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 12 2023 22:56 utc | 80
With Ukraine falling apart, my guess is Tusk is anticipating Poland, being safer and a more stable front for operations, can get a big chunk of the next $44 billion fall its way.
Posted by: WG | Dec 12 2023 23:01 utc | 81
by: karlof1 | Dec 12 2023 16:45 utc | 24
I agree. Just listen to Nuland's "F**k the EU" conversation. She is smart.
"A jelly bottom up." she says at some point. Ergo Zelensky.
Posted by: whirlX | Dec 12 2023 23:01 utc | 82
To judge by today's Joe-Volody presser—45 minutes late starting—WH is struggling to convince Volody (he momentarily went off script for a teeny meltdown over the raping, pillaging aggressors) to let well enough alone in Novorossiya and live with um real and imagined victories to fight the TYRANT Putin another day. ICYMI, UA recaptured the Black Sea. It's now safe to resume transport of Grain from Ukraine to the world.
President Biden Participates in a Press Conference with President Volodymyr Zelensk* of Ukraine
Posted by: sln2002 | Dec 12 2023 23:16 utc | 83
There is a lot of wishful thinking on this website.
If you listen Dima, you can hear that many many Russians are dying, daily.
Kremlin is afraid to attack Ukro electric grid or use nuclear weapons.
Look what Israel is doing.
Posted by: zorge | Dec 12 2023 22:31 utc | 73
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Zorge, you listen to Dima: He is one of yours after all.
Posted by: Ed | Dec 12 2023 23:19 utc | 84
@94 not sure if you left out the /sarcasm tag on that last part.
Kind of hard to export grain when your ports are ruined, grain elevators reduced to rubble, and port equipment turned into mangled scrap.
However, copium exports are doing better.
Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Dec 12 2023 23:30 utc | 85
It was Zelensky and Ermak who decided on a regular war for political reasons, because they had campaigned on the slogun of "territorial integrity" and "Crimea is ours!"
Posted by: anonposter | Dec 12 2023 22:15 utc | 70
Are you alluding to today's Axel Springer ballad?
Zelensk* in Lilliput: Someone Shrunk Ukraine's War Coalition
It's pretty entertaining if your audience normally reads Variety, but FT posted a real tear-jerker. Olha Stefanishyna uhhh re-imagines her role in the "agro-export matter of SURVIVAL".
EU explores emergency Ukraine funding outside bloc's shared budget
Ukraine's deputy prime minister, said on Monday that Ukraine had received no assurances that the €50bn would be provided in one form or another, and that any alternative would challenge the country's stability.50 supersize refers to the stash VDL quoted at this summer's London "Ukraine Recovery" conference, between the Furious 5 solidarity lane offense and BSI collapsed.
"In the case of no decision on the €50bn, there could be an interim solution," she told reporters, but it would leave Ukraine on "the edge of survival with zero predictability for the whole year". An inability to agree the support package and to open membership talks would be seen by Kyiv as "a failure of the whole EU", she added.
Posted by: sln2002 | Dec 12 2023 23:35 utc | 86
I often wonder what would happen if the major religions of the world were transported to Antarctica and had to fight the elements and each other. Who would win?
Posted by: Immaculate deception | Dec 12 2023 23:41 utc | 87
Posted by: zorge | Dec 12 2023 22:31 utc | 73
you can hear that many many Russians are dying, daily.
This is relative. Russia lost many, many people in WWII. Vietnam lost many, many people in its wars of liberation and unification. The end result is what matters. If/When Russia prevails no one will care about the casualties incurred.
Kremlin is afraid to attack Ukro electric grid or use nuclear weapons.
Look what Israel is doing.
I don't think fear has anything to do with it. It has more to do with pragmatism. "Destroying" the Ukrainian electric grid, assuming such a thing is even possible short of an EMP, would mean Russia was liable to rebuild said grid. And remember Russia's war is not with the Ukrainian people, but with the regime.
As for nuclear weapons, you misunderstand their utility if you think they can be used offensively. They are primarily a defensive weapon, a deterrent. What would using a nuclear weapon against Kiev accomplish? Serious question.
Israel is a poor comparison, since they are going up against an asymmetrical opponent. Even still, their going has been very slow and poor, and with the whole world united against them.
In addition, the specter of a wider war is hanging over their operations. This is something Russia has largely mitigated due to its actions.
Posted by: James M. | Dec 12 2023 23:46 utc | 88
Posted by: sln2002 | Dec 12 2023 23:35 utc | 87
Ukraine could get the money or some of it anyway, but it won't really matter very much, or very long.
The dynamics are that Ukrainian officials and pretty much anyone for that matter are stealing all western aid hands over fists, leaving perhaps a small trickle leaving to where it's supposed to go. Because it's a sinking ship, they aren't stupid, the armed forces achieve little to no success, there is no hope.
Zelensky-Ermak gang has threatened EUrope earlier with terrorist attacks (the infamous 'eating croissants in a Paris cafe' comment) unless they keep dishing out the money. Azov is no different for al-Qaeda or ISIS in the sense that it was created and nurtured with US money and indoctrination. It will soon become another failed experiment that got out of control, and I think they will eventually commit terrorist attacks in Europe. After all, the weapons are already there, just another symptom from losing the war. Arms deals increase while economic and war prospects goes into the toilet.
So why not make yourself wealthy, which is the best outcome.
When it comes to EU officials - the more they talk about something to happen, the less likely it is to happen. I don't simply see Ukraine getting in the EU. The core EU economies are dead in the water already.
Posted by: unimperator | Dec 12 2023 23:47 utc | 89
“Biden pledges $200 million for Ukraine after Zelensky meeting
Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 12 2023 22:11 utc | 68
That's less than 30% of what Shohei Ohtani signed for with the Dodgers.
Posted by: Activist Potato | Dec 13 2023 0:03 utc | 90
New Maria Zakharova Briefing with fresh wit and determined skewering of the deserving, "Maria Zakharova's Weekly Briefing: Selections". Yes, it's a long read as usual but stuffed full of large and small gems, particularly Blinken on Ukraine.
And just like Ohtani is deferring 97% of his salary until 1934, so a similar percent of the $200 million will "stay in Merica"
Posted by: Peter b | Dec 13 2023 0:21 utc | 93
So Biden says "aid to Ukraine will continue as long as possible", and Ukraine can enter NATO once they win the war and all members agree...
When the cows come home perhaps.
US House support for aid package unclear. There is opposition but perhaps a deal will be made.
Feral Finster my apologies.
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 13 2023 0:22 utc | 95
Me, putting back cork in a champagne bottle.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine
December 12, 2023
The United States has committed more than $44.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since
the beginning of the Biden Administration, including more than $44.2 billion since the beginning
of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24, 2022.Air Defense
• One Patriot air defense battery and munitions;
• 12 National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions;
• HAWK air defense systems and munitions;
• AIM-7, RIM-7, and AIM-9M missiles for air defense;
• More than 2,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;
• Avenger air defense systems;
• VAMPIRE counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) and munitions;
• c-UAS gun trucks and ammunition;
• mobile c-UAS laser-guided rocket systems;
• Other c-UAS equipment;
• Anti-aircraft guns and ammunition;
• Air defense systems components;
• Equipment to integrate Western launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s systems;
• Equipment to support and sustain Ukraine’s existing air defense capabilities;
• Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; and
• 21 air surveillance radars.Fires
• 39 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition;
• Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb launchers and guided rockets;
• 198 155mm Howitzers and more than 2,000,000 155mm artillery rounds;
• More than 7,000 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds;
• More than 30,000 155mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) Systems;
• 72 105mm Howitzers and more than 800,000 105mm artillery rounds;
• 10,000 203mm artillery rounds;
• More than 200,000 152mm artillery rounds;
• Approximately 40,000 130mm artillery rounds;
• 40,000 122mm artillery rounds;
• 60,000 122mm GRAD rockets;
• 47 120mm mortar systems;
• 10 82mm mortar systems;
• 112 81mm mortar systems;
• 58 60mm mortar systems;
• More than 400,000 mortar rounds;
• More than 70 counter-artillery and counter-mortar radars; and
• 20 multi-mission radars;Ground Maneuver
• 31 Abrams tanks;
• 45 T-72B tanks;
• 186 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles;
• Four Bradley Fire Support Team vehicles;
• 189 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers;
• 300 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;
• 250 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles;
• More than 500 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs);
• More than 2,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs);
• More than 200 light tactical vehicles;
• 300 armored medical treatment vehicles;
• 80 trucks and 124 trailers to transport heavy equipment;
• More than 800 tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment;
• 131 tactical vehicles to recover equipment;
• 10 command post vehicles;
• 30 ammunition support vehicles;
• 18 armored bridging systems;
• Eight logistics support vehicles and equipment;
• 239 fuel tankers and 105 fuel trailers;
• 58 water trailers;
• Six armored utility trucks;
• 125mm, 120mm, and 105mm tank ammunition;
• More than 1,800,000 rounds of 25mm ammunition; and
• Mine clearing equipment.Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems
• 20 Mi-17 helicopters;
• Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
• Phoenix Ghost UAS;
• CyberLux K8 UAS;
• Altius-600 UAS;
• Jump-20 UAS;
• Hornet UAS
• Puma UAS;
• Scan Eagle UAS;
• Penguin UAS;
• Two radars for UAS;
• High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs);
• Precision aerial munitions;
• More than 6,000 Zuni aircraft rockets;
• More than 20,000 Hydra-70 aircraft rockets; and
• Munitions for UAS.Anti-armor and Small Arms
• More than 10,000 Javelin anti-armor systems;
• More than 90,000 other anti-armor systems and munitions;
• More than 8,000 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• More than 35,000 grenade launchers and small arms;
• More than 400,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades;
• Laser-guided rocket systems and munitions;
• Rocket launchers and ammunition; and
• Anti-tank mines.Maritime
• Two Harpoon coastal defense systems and anti-ship missiles;
• 62 coastal and riverine patrol boats;
• Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels; and
• Port and harbor security equipment.Other capabilities
• M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions;
• C-4 explosives, demolition munitions, and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing;
• Obstacle emplacement equipment;
• Counter air defense capability;
• More than 100,000 sets of body armor and helmets;
• Tactical secure communications systems and support equipment;
• Four satellite communications (SATCOM) antennas;
• SATCOM terminals and services;
• Electronic warfare (EW) and counter-EW equipment;
• Commercial satellite imagery services;
• Night vision devices, surveillance and thermal imagery systems, optics, and rangefinders;
• Explosive ordnance disposal equipment and protective gear;
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear protective equipment;
• Medical supplies, including first aid kits, bandages, monitors, and other equipment;
• Field equipment, cold weather gear, generators, and spare parts; and
• Support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.The United States also continues to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with
additional capabilities to defend itself.
It will just prolong the conflict. And all of it it is already there, I think.
And where do they find the meat to man this? The USA boots on the ground.
Joint US/NATO - Ukrainian units.
Posted by: whirlX | Dec 13 2023 0:31 utc | 96
reply to 77 and others
Zelensky is a blessing for Russia's long term interests in Ukraine. A different leader would start negotiations with Russia - which could have the effect of impeding their advance. Nobody wants to be the last one to die before some paper is signed or a ceasefire declared.
The fools who keep futilely trying to injure Russia, overthrow it or harm its morale ignore this possibility. Instead, they allow Zelensky to be the tail that wags the dog. They are stuck with him and the fanaticism he preaches (with Neo Nazi guns pointed at his back).
Zelensky keeps feeding the meat grinder towards demographic extinction with all state sources of repression in his control. He can't be stopped except for some external "intervention" (hint, hint).
Posted by: Eighthman | Dec 13 2023 0:36 utc | 97
Posted by: whirlX | Dec 13 2023 0:31 utc | 97
It's the Presidential Drawdown Authority. What the first poster here alluded to. There's not much money left in the PDA. It will likely be empty in a few weeks without further Congressional authorization.
Posted by: James M. | Dec 13 2023 0:44 utc | 98
@whirlX | Dec 13 2023 0:31 utc | 97
Already there - the whole list (which may be somewhat incomplete). Also, what have NATO allies and UK provided that isn't on the list? When added to what Ukraine had to start with it's quite a pile. The question is how much remains of this pile? The number of drones is not listed, but thousands I would guess. 39 HIMARS and probably more than half survive. A new munition for this system has been tested and approved for production with a 500km range. Not sure how likely it is that Ukraine will see any though.
Posted by: the pessimist | Dec 13 2023 0:54 utc | 99
Oh fer fuck's sake. Whoever is really in charge of US policy needs to call the Kremlin and say "Get your big offensive ready... as soon as Zelenski goes up in an airplane we are shooting it down and blaming you. You have one chance to roll effectively unopposed right through the middle of Ukraine and then our policy is 'We broke it, you fix it.'"
Russia's gonna have have 20 thousand casualties over the next year... why not take a 10 thousand loss in one swoop and be done. There won't be any haggling over how much land Blackrock gets. They get zero and the West can just go fuckitself. The natural gas pipeline gets turned OFF along with any commodity or manufactured good, period.
Posted by: comrade simba | Dec 13 2023 1:00 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
Zelensky isn't going anywhere any time soon, neither is Ukraine. The US military just approved more money/supplies for Ukraine, bypassing Congress. Exact amount is unknown yet, but you can bet they'll push through the maximum they can get away with.
Posted by: bored | Dec 12 2023 14:50 utc | 1