Putin Draws Line on U.S. Arms for Ukraine
Russia warns the U.S. on advanced weapons for Ukraine.
Stung by war losses and massing troops for a new battle in eastern Ukraine, Russia has warned the Biden administration to stop supplying advanced weapons to Ukrainian forces or face “unpredictable consequences"...
The Russian message — one of a series of warnings punctuated by a formal protest note suggested rising concerns in Moscow that the weapons were seriously hindering Russia’s combat capabilities.
The existence of the message was disclosed as the Kremlin was funneling armaments, including attack helicopters, to Russia’s border with eastern Ukraine for the next phase of its two-month-old invasion of the country.
Back in February, as the war began, the administration worried such weaponry could unnecessarily provoke Russia. But after coming under pressure from President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and members of Congress from both parties, the administration has decided to provide some of the kinds of heavy weapons it says Ukraine will require in the next phase of the war.
...
Officials said the note did not prompt any special concern inside the White House. But it has touched off a broader discussion inside the Pentagon and intelligence agencies about whether the “unpredictable consequences” could include trying to target or sabotage some of the weapons shipments while still in NATO territory, before they are transferred to Ukrainians for the final journey into the hands of Ukrainian troops. The delivery of the protest note was first reported by The Washington Post.
###
Okay, all that we already knew. My dear readers, at this hour and under the influence of tamazepam, and with the breathtaking character of the Ukrainian people fresh I don't trust my own judgement and you have less reason to trust it.
When I saw these headlines though I got my back up. Americans don't cotton much to threats, warnings from a nation such as Russia, even as dangerous as it is, and I immediately thought back to Lincoln's Second Inaugural, the money shot of which for this sperm facial to Russia is the subject heading.
This is Mr. Putin's war, he started it, and he has prosecuted it rather than let the nation of Ukraine survive. Rather than let it perish we should accept war with Russia. And the war will come. That is my feeling and my thought now. Therefore, imo, we should continue to arm Ukraine so that it may win this war, that is, kick the Russian anthropoid invader out so that the best of humanity, Ukraine, shall not perish.
We accept, Mr. Putin. We are ready enough, more ready than you are, for a conventional war between NATO, including the United States. And if you attack a NATO country you will have that war. That is what your larger goal is anyhow.
We are not as ready for nuclear war as you are but, at this time, I accept your war, even if nuclear. We are not going to let the Ukrainian flower be snuffed out. Let the war come, Mr. Putin.