Why Does West Give Ukraine Old Equipment?
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Stories, Sounds, and Facts of War: Every weekday, Ukrainian Freedom News’s Joe Lindsley, in Ukraine since the pandemic started, gives a live war report on Chicago’s WGN Radio. Listen below—plus find our daily situation report from our Ukrainian team. Sometimes, because of the reflections that life in war can induce, the topics range more broadly.
War Day 323: My experience trying to tell the truth in American media
Escalation vs victory, fear vs confidence:
Whenever Ukraine has a major victory, not only Russia but some voices in the West call for “de-escalation.” In the face of this, President Zelenskiy has smartly shifted his rhetoric
In his new year's speech, President Zelenskiy said now it’s time to “de-escalate” Russia. And how do we do that? By winning, by defeating the invaders. That's the best form of de-escalation. ...
Those who understand Russia the best agree with swift-victory-as-the-best-form of de-escalation. Nato Secretary General Stoltenberg said, looking at what’s happening in Soledar now ...
.. unable to capture and keep major Ukrainian cities, unable even to capture Bakhmut, the Russians, weakened and losing, are pouring resources into taking the small town of Soledar ...
So Stoltenberg and others now say, If we can just get enough weapons to Ukraine, we can end this sooner. "And at this key juncture of the war, we must do even more, even faster."
When asked by PBS if she was afraid of Putin's threats, Lithuanian PM Ingrida Simonyte said if Putin "sees that there is a sort of retreat or appeasement, which some countries [see as good strategy], then [he] will push farther, because [he sees] weakness.”
Those who worry about “escalation” are afraid of “what Russia might do.” But we must consider: What is Russia afraid of? Early in the war, the Kremlin thought it could get away with anything. Now the reality is abundantly clear. They can't.
Yet still the West is hesitant to send Ukraine the best equipment. In Lviv this week, Poland's President Duda pledged to send old Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but only after Poland receives newer tanks from the USA ...
Why does the more advanced military equipment go to countries who are not fighting, while Ukrainians, standing against the massive Russian army, must make do with older equipment? ...
Of course Ukrainians appreciate what they are given. But if we recall the USA’s promise to the protect Ukraine in return for the latter giving up nukes (#BudapestMemorandum) and if we look at the history of appeasing tyrants -- why not send better stuff now? ... and finally,
Here’s the typical Washington games. Americans think that actually billions of dollars has poured into Ukraine. We must remember that some of that is loans, and some of that is the valuation of older military equipment. It's still great support but it is not the fullest possible.
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American journalist Joe Lindsley, in Ukraine since 2020, leads the Ukrainian Freedom News team of Ukrainians and foreigners on a mission to share real talk and real life in war-time with the world. Every weekday since late February 2022, he has reported live from Ukraine on Chicago’s WGN Radio with host Bob Sirott. You can listen to all episodes at UkrainianFreedomNews.com or via our YouTube channel.
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