by Mary Harrsch © 2025
Reading this article from MSN this morning made me absolutely disgusted:
The only person disrespected in the Oval Office yesterday was President Zelenskyy! Both Trump and Vance talked over him and shouted him down while Trump tried to shake Ukraine down for $550 billion in rare minerals for the aid they received before Trump took office in January 2025. |
| Ukrainian President Zelenskyy with troops at the front. Image courtesy of Politico.eu |
The US Defense Department says this assistance actually totaled approximately $65.9 billion during the Biden administration. It was accompanied by certain conditions and considerations:
Use of Weaponry: The U.S. and other allies imposed restrictions on the use of provided weapons, particularly concerning strikes within Russian territory, to prevent escalation.
For instance, deliveries of long-range ATACMS missiles were delayed, and their eventual provision was contingent upon Ukraine's agreement not to use them against targets inside Russia. Ukraine pointed out they provided strategic advantages to Russian forces operating near the border but complied with the restrictions.
However, in mid-November 2024, the Biden administration lifted some of these restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia, especially after North Korea's involvement in supporting Russia.
In October 2023, President Biden issued an executive order attaching human rights conditions to U.S. military aid. This directive required the Secretary of State to obtain "credible and reliable written assurances" from foreign aid recipients, ensuring that U.S.-provided military assistance would not be used to commit human rights abuses.
Oversight and Accountability: There were measures to ensure that the military assistance was used effectively and for its intended purposes. This included monitoring and oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse.
Financial Assistance: Beyond military aid, the U.S. provided financial support to Ukraine for government operations, including salaries for public employees and social services. This financial aid was subject to specific conditions to ensure transparency and proper use.
These conditions aimed to balance robust support for Ukraine's defense needs with measures to ensure accountability and prevent escalation of the conflict.
Has Zelenskyy complied with Biden's conditions for aid?
Ukraine has generally complied with the conditions set by the Biden administration concerning the use of U.S.-provided weaponry, though it has voiced concerns over the operational limitations these restrictions impose.
Earlier diplomatic attempts that JD Vance totally ignored at yesterday's meeting:
Historical Context and Ongoing Challenges
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, multiple rounds of peace talks have been attempted. Initial negotiations in 2022, including the Istanbul Communiqué, proposed that Ukraine abandon its NATO aspirations and accept limitations on its military. However, talks broke down due to factors such as the Bucha massacre.
The Bucha massacre refers to the mass killing of Ukrainian civilians in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv, during the early stages of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. After Russian forces withdrew from the area on March 31, 2022, Ukrainian authorities and international journalists discovered hundreds of civilian bodies, many with signs of execution, torture, and rape.
Key Facts:
Mass Killings: Over 450 bodies were found, with many victims shot at close range, their hands tied behind their backs.
Torture & Rape: Reports from survivors and forensic investigations revealed that many civilians were tortured, and women were raped before being killed.
Mass Graves: Several mass graves were discovered, where Russian forces had attempted to bury the victims to cover up the atrocities.
Looting & Destruction: Russian soldiers looted homes, destroyed infrastructure, and left behind widespread devastation.
Satellite Evidence: Independent satellite imagery from March 11, 2022, showed bodies lying in the streets, debunking Russian claims that the killings occurred after their withdrawal.
War Crimes Investigation: The massacre is considered one of the worst war crimes of the war. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and United Nations launched investigations into possible crimes against humanity.
Russia’s Denial & International Response:
Russia denied responsibility, claiming the massacre was staged by Ukraine or Western intelligence agencies.
Ukraine, the U.S., the EU, and NATO condemned the massacre as a war crime.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian officials involved in war crimes.
The Bucha massacre became a symbol of Russian war atrocities and significantly influenced global support for Ukraine, leading to increased sanctions on Russia and military aid to Kyiv.
As of 2024, Ukraine's conditions for peace include the withdrawal of Russian troops, prosecution of war crimes, and security guarantees, while Russia demands retention of occupied territories and Ukraine's abandonment of NATO plans.
In June 2024, a peace summit was held in Switzerland, following a series of international conferences aimed at resolving the conflict. The summit sought to build international support for a peace process based on Ukraine's 10-point proposal, addressing issues such as nuclear safety, food security, and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Despite these efforts, a comprehensive peace agreement remains elusive.
What proposals has Russia made to end the war?
Russia has made several proposals aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, primarily focusing on the following key demands:
Territorial Concessions: Russia insists that Ukraine recognize Russian sovereignty over the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. On June 14, 2024, President Vladimir Putin demanded that Ukraine withdraw its troops from these regions to their administrative borders as they existed at the time of their accession to Ukraine.
Neutrality and Non-NATO Status: Russia requires Ukraine to officially abandon its aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and adopt a neutral, non-nuclear status. This condition is presented as essential for safeguarding Russian national security.
Lifting of Sanctions: Russia seeks the removal of international sanctions imposed due to its actions in Ukraine. This demand is part of a broader call for the international community to recognize and accept Russia's terms for peace.
These proposals have been met with resistance from Ukraine and its allies, who view them as unacceptable and tantamount to capitulation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has compared these demands to historical acts of aggression, stating, "These messages are ultimatum messages. It's the same thing Hitler did, when he said 'give me a part of Czechoslovakia and it'll end here'."
My sister-in-law's family in her home country of Latvia are deeply concerned about 100,000 Russian troops now gathering at their border. So, Zelenskyy's warning about Russia's wider intentions are not exaggerated!
Use of Weaponry: The U.S. and other allies imposed restrictions on the use of provided weapons, particularly concerning strikes within Russian territory, to prevent escalation.
For instance, deliveries of long-range ATACMS missiles were delayed, and their eventual provision was contingent upon Ukraine's agreement not to use them against targets inside Russia. Ukraine pointed out they provided strategic advantages to Russian forces operating near the border but complied with the restrictions.
However, in mid-November 2024, the Biden administration lifted some of these restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia, especially after North Korea's involvement in supporting Russia.
In October 2023, President Biden issued an executive order attaching human rights conditions to U.S. military aid. This directive required the Secretary of State to obtain "credible and reliable written assurances" from foreign aid recipients, ensuring that U.S.-provided military assistance would not be used to commit human rights abuses.
Oversight and Accountability: There were measures to ensure that the military assistance was used effectively and for its intended purposes. This included monitoring and oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse.
Financial Assistance: Beyond military aid, the U.S. provided financial support to Ukraine for government operations, including salaries for public employees and social services. This financial aid was subject to specific conditions to ensure transparency and proper use.
These conditions aimed to balance robust support for Ukraine's defense needs with measures to ensure accountability and prevent escalation of the conflict.
Has Zelenskyy complied with Biden's conditions for aid?
Ukraine has generally complied with the conditions set by the Biden administration concerning the use of U.S.-provided weaponry, though it has voiced concerns over the operational limitations these restrictions impose.
Earlier diplomatic attempts that JD Vance totally ignored at yesterday's meeting:
Historical Context and Ongoing Challenges
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, multiple rounds of peace talks have been attempted. Initial negotiations in 2022, including the Istanbul Communiqué, proposed that Ukraine abandon its NATO aspirations and accept limitations on its military. However, talks broke down due to factors such as the Bucha massacre.
The Bucha massacre refers to the mass killing of Ukrainian civilians in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv, during the early stages of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. After Russian forces withdrew from the area on March 31, 2022, Ukrainian authorities and international journalists discovered hundreds of civilian bodies, many with signs of execution, torture, and rape.
Key Facts:
Mass Killings: Over 450 bodies were found, with many victims shot at close range, their hands tied behind their backs.
Torture & Rape: Reports from survivors and forensic investigations revealed that many civilians were tortured, and women were raped before being killed.
Mass Graves: Several mass graves were discovered, where Russian forces had attempted to bury the victims to cover up the atrocities.
Looting & Destruction: Russian soldiers looted homes, destroyed infrastructure, and left behind widespread devastation.
Satellite Evidence: Independent satellite imagery from March 11, 2022, showed bodies lying in the streets, debunking Russian claims that the killings occurred after their withdrawal.
War Crimes Investigation: The massacre is considered one of the worst war crimes of the war. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and United Nations launched investigations into possible crimes against humanity.
Russia’s Denial & International Response:
Russia denied responsibility, claiming the massacre was staged by Ukraine or Western intelligence agencies.
Ukraine, the U.S., the EU, and NATO condemned the massacre as a war crime.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian officials involved in war crimes.
The Bucha massacre became a symbol of Russian war atrocities and significantly influenced global support for Ukraine, leading to increased sanctions on Russia and military aid to Kyiv.
As of 2024, Ukraine's conditions for peace include the withdrawal of Russian troops, prosecution of war crimes, and security guarantees, while Russia demands retention of occupied territories and Ukraine's abandonment of NATO plans.
In June 2024, a peace summit was held in Switzerland, following a series of international conferences aimed at resolving the conflict. The summit sought to build international support for a peace process based on Ukraine's 10-point proposal, addressing issues such as nuclear safety, food security, and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Despite these efforts, a comprehensive peace agreement remains elusive.
What proposals has Russia made to end the war?
Russia has made several proposals aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, primarily focusing on the following key demands:
Territorial Concessions: Russia insists that Ukraine recognize Russian sovereignty over the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. On June 14, 2024, President Vladimir Putin demanded that Ukraine withdraw its troops from these regions to their administrative borders as they existed at the time of their accession to Ukraine.
Neutrality and Non-NATO Status: Russia requires Ukraine to officially abandon its aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and adopt a neutral, non-nuclear status. This condition is presented as essential for safeguarding Russian national security.
Lifting of Sanctions: Russia seeks the removal of international sanctions imposed due to its actions in Ukraine. This demand is part of a broader call for the international community to recognize and accept Russia's terms for peace.
These proposals have been met with resistance from Ukraine and its allies, who view them as unacceptable and tantamount to capitulation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has compared these demands to historical acts of aggression, stating, "These messages are ultimatum messages. It's the same thing Hitler did, when he said 'give me a part of Czechoslovakia and it'll end here'."
My sister-in-law's family in her home country of Latvia are deeply concerned about 100,000 Russian troops now gathering at their border. So, Zelenskyy's warning about Russia's wider intentions are not exaggerated!
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