[Sixstrings]

Ukraine welcomes prospect of US military aid

Russia condemns bill due for final approval that would open way for $350m of military hardware to be sent to Ukraine.

Russia responded has angrily to news that US senators had passed a bill calling for fresh sanctions against Moscow and the supply of lethal military aid to Ukraine.

"Undoubtedly, we will not be able to leave this without a response," deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov told Interfax news agency on Saturday ahead of a meeting between the Russian and US foreign ministers.

Ukraine welcomed the bill, that would allow the US to provide lethal military assistance to the country.

The bill, passed late on Thursday approved in Congress on Friday will now be sent to US President Barack Obama.

It opens the way for up to $350m of US military hardware to be sent to Ukraine.

Ukraine has been fighting an eight-month war against pro-Russian separatists in its east.

The bill also threatens fresh sanctions against Russia, whose economy is weakening under previous rounds of Western sanctions and a collapse in oil prices.

John Kerry, US secretary of state, was due to meet Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, in Rome on Monday amid the toughening US response.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said the new US legislation put a "powerful bomb" under US-Russia bilateral ties.

"The openly confrontational nature of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act approved by both houses of the US Congress without debate and proper voting cannot cause anything but deep regret," Alexander Lukashevich, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, said.

"US legislators are following in the footsteps of the Barack Obama administration by showing great zeal in destroying the framework of cooperation."

'Historic decision' welcomed

Ukrainian politicians, though, hailed the US move as a "historic decision".

They have long been pressing the West to provide military support to their beleaguered army, but have so far received only non-lethal equipment.

Obama, who has resisted sending arms to Ukraine, will have to decide whether to promulgate the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, which allows for the delivery of anti-tank and anti-armour weapons, radar, surveillance drones and communications equipment to Ukraine.

It is far from certain that Obama will back the bill.

There is little appetite in Western governments for a step that could see them drawn into a proxy war with Russia.

US politicians, however, appeared determined to force Obama's hand against Russia.

Senators added a clause in the bill that would grant "major non-NATO ally" status to Ukraine, along with pro-Western Georgia and Moldova.

Russia is concerned at what it sees as NATO's creeping influence along its western borders.

Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of sending regular troops to back separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has claimed more than 4,300 lives since it broke out in April.

Russia continues to deny the accusations.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/12/ukraine-welcomes-prospect-us-military-aid-2014121382958449175.html

Apparently the Russian government doesn't quite understand the situation:

"US legislators are following in the footsteps of the Barack Obama administration by showing great zeal in destroying the framework of cooperation."

Apparently they don't realize that the US congress is a lot more anti-Putin than Obama ever was.

Anyhow, the bill is a big deal and we'll see if Obama signs it. I can't see him actually vetoing this. Congressional leaders, both sides, are bent on forcing Obama to give weapons to Ukraine.

So this bill has $350 million worth of radar and anti-tank and anti-armor weapons. If O signs it, then this is just a first step, there would be more military aid to follow.

The bill also grants "major non-nato US ally" status to Ukraine, and also Moldova and Georgia.

[Shaved Monkey]

The West is desperate to blunt Russia's influence over Europe and the middle east.
Its massive gas supply is also something that will give Russia even more power in the post PO future.
Its deals with China further scare the West especially if the Ukraine and European gas sales no longer become important for revenue.
Opening up a war front on its vital gas exporting flank will distract and exhaust revenue from developing the alternative supply lines.
All under the guise of democratisation
Add a manipulated oil price to further weaken their economy and its a very warm cold war.

[Sixstrings]

So this is the bill, passed by the House in September and just passed by the Senate so now it goes to O's desk for signature or veto (or pocket veto, potentially):

Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 - Directs the President to impose three or more sanctions under this Act against:

Rosoboronexport;
any person that knowingly makes a significant investment in a special Russian crude oil project; or
any entity owned by the government of the Russian Federation or controlled by its nationals that transfers or brokers the transfer to, or manufactures or sells defense articles transferred to, Syria or into the territory of a specified country without its government's consent.

Defines "specified country" as Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, or any other country of significant concern for purposes of this Act, such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and the Central Asia republics.

Authorizes the President, through the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce or the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury, to impose additional licensing requirements or other restrictions on the export of items for Russia's energy sector.

Directs the President to impose sanctions under this Act on Gazprom if it is withholding significant natural gas supplies from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, or further withholds significant natural gas supplies from countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, or Moldova.

Sets forth sanctions against a foreign person, including executive officers of an entity, relating to:

Export-Import Bank of the United States assistance,
executive agency procurement,
arms and dual-use item exports,
U.S. property transactions,
banking transactions,
investing in or purchasing equity or debt instruments, and
U.S. entry prohibition or visa revocation.
Authorizes the President to waive the application of sanctions, or waive sanctions for a specific transaction, for purposes of U.S. national security, and with congressional notification.

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to designate Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova as major non-NATO allies for purposes of that Act and the Arms Export Control Act.

Provides assistance to Ukraine for: (1) the military, defense, energy, and civilian sectors; and (2) internally displaced persons.

Directs the Secretary of State to work with Ukrainian officials to help Ukraine reduce its dependence on natural gas imported from the Russian Federation.

Directs the Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors to submit to Congress a plan for increasing the quantity of Russian-language broadcasting into the countries of the former Soviet Union in order to counter Russian Federation propaganda. Requires such plan to prioritize broadcasting into Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova by the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2828

Some highlights:

The specified countries are Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and notably, the "central asia republics" are mentioned. So that's in case Russia has designs on Kazakstan.

Also note that Syria is mentioned.

Energy sector and gazprom sanctions.

Russian crude oil project sanctions.

Sanctions on gazprom if it witholds natgas from NATO.

More broadcasting into the former USSR, "to counter Russian propaganda."

Lastly, the significance of being designated "major non-nato US ally" is a legal thing, in that it exempts that nation from the restrictions of the US arms export control law. So that means the designated allies can get weapons aid.

[radon1]

Sanctions on gazprom if it witholds natgas from NATO.

Looks like that's the key concern. Otherwise why bother, too trivial an issue to waste time on.

[Withnail]

Directs the President to impose sanctions under this Act on Gazprom if it is withholding significant natural gas supplies from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, or further withholds significant natural gas supplies from countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, or Moldova.

Is this in any way legal under international law?

It's up to Gazprom who it chooses to supply gas to.

If NATO customers don't like it, they can go elsewhere.

Punishing someone for ceasing supply of something they own seems to be very little to do with free markets.

This really seems like the prelude to war with Russia, which would likely kill many of us.

[basil_hayden]

Directs the President to impose sanctions under this Act on Gazprom if it is withholding significant natural gas supplies from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, or further withholds significant natural gas supplies from countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, or Moldova.

Is this in any way legal under international law?

It's up to Gazprom who it chooses to supply gas to.

If NATO customers don't like it, they can go elsewhere.

Punishing someone for ceasing supply of something they own seems to be very little to do with free markets.

This really seems like the prelude to war with Russia, which would likely kill many of us.

"Ceasing supply" of natural gas in winter would not seem like a free market play either, now would it, Mr. Disingenuous.

With that said, my government is populated with insincere idiots. The more Europe looks like Russia, the better the US of A looks to everyone.

[ROCKMAN]

I'm always amazed when such stories appear and fail to mention that the Ukraine has no lack of conventional weapons: Ukraine exported major conventional arms worth $1.344 billion in 2012 becoming the fourth largest arms exporter in the world. Three largest suppliers of major conventional weapons in 2012 were the United States, Russia, and China. The portfolio of Ukraine weapons exports for the next three to five years is estimated at more than $5 billion.

So the US is going to sell weapons to one of the largest weapons exporter on the planet? Actually that's mot what the bill does: it only authorizes the POTUS to ship those weapons...it doesn't mandate that he do so. And the proviso specifies the POTUS is authorized to do so if Russia ships weapons to other entities...including Syria. And notice the report doesn't say "weapons". It uses the clever word play of "hardware"... which includes non-lethal defense systems.

Bottom line: the Ukraine will have just about as many offensive weapons as it has today even if the POTUS decides to do so. There's no need to veto the bill: even if he signs it it's still his decision to allow US weapons makers to sell that $350 million of "military hardware". BTW the US is already the biggest weapons exporter in the world. I wonder if the lobbyists for the US MIC are already pulling out their checkbooks to make those political contributions for the 2016 election cycle?

And another example of clever word play as I've yet to see this specific detail: who is going to write that $350 million check to the US MIC: the Ukraine...NATO...the US?

[Keith_McClary]

Directs the President to impose sanctions under this Act on Gazprom if it is withholding significant natural gas supplies from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, or further withholds significant natural gas supplies from countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, or Moldova.

Is this in any way legal under international law?

It's up to Gazprom who it chooses to supply gas to.

If NATO customers don't like it, they can go elsewhere.

Punishing someone for ceasing supply of something they own seems to be very little to do with free markets.

This really seems like the prelude to war with Russia, which would likely kill many of us.

The US has an oil export ban and conducts economic warfare on various countries, notably Cuba.

[Strummer]

"Ceasing supply" of natural gas in winter would not seem like a free market play either, now would it, Mr. Disingenuous.

There are contracts between Rusia (Gazprom) and Ukraine. Cn you cite specific examples where Gazprom violated or broke any of those contracts? I'm not aware of any. On the other side, Ukraine violates those contracts all the time.

[Withnail]

"Ceasing supply" of natural gas in winter would not seem like a free market play either, now would it, Mr. Disingenuous.

Well given that owners of valuable commodites are free to do what they like with their own property, it would indeed seem to be the epitome of freedom, Einstein.

[Withnail]

And another example of clever word play as I've yet to see this specific detail: who is going to write that $350 million check to the US MIC: the Ukraine...NATO...the US?

Well yes, the whole problem is that Ukraine has no money.

Supplying weapons to an unstable country that has no money is scarcely likely to solve that problem, or indeed make anything better.

Let's even say Ukraine suceeds in reconquering the Donbas region.

How will Ukraine's situation be improved by that?

[Withnail]

The more Europe looks like Russia, the better the US of A looks to everyone.

The heavily racist, violent and miltarist USA with its massive prison population doesn't look like a model any sane person outside the USA would want to follow.

[ROCKMAN]

"Well yes, the whole problem is that Ukraine has no money." Really??? The Ukraine is currently selling over $1 billions in weapons to other countries this year. So their weapons biz provides them with 3X the cost of the US "military hardware". So what's the problem? Additionally the EU has authorized more the $15 billion in loans to the Ukraine. Thus it's up to Kiev to prioritize their expenditures: if that $350 million in "military hardware" is critical to their safety wouldn't they be willing to write the check? And if they don't consider it that important why should the US or anyone else consider it so?

[Strummer]

The Ukraine is currently selling over $1 billions in weapons to other countries this year. So their weapons biz provides them with 3X the cost of the US "military hardware".

No, it doesn't, if those $1 billion are revenue, not profit.

[Withnail]

"Well yes, the whole problem is that Ukraine has no money." Really??? The Ukraine is currently selling over $1 billions in weapons to other countries this year. So their weapons biz provides them with 3X the cost of the US "military hardware". So what's the problem? Additionally the EU has authorized more the $15 billion in loans to the Ukraine. Thus it's up to Kiev to prioritize their expenditures: if that $350 million in "military hardware" is critical to their safety wouldn't they be willing to write the check? And if they don't consider it that important why should the US or anyone else consider it so?

They are selling some weapons, but that's a drop in the ocean when they can't pay for gas or coal surely.

Why does the US consider it important? Because they seemingly want another proxy war with Russia. I doubt any of the $350 million will ever be paid by Ukraine.

[Subjectivist]

Why is Ukraine importing coal, they used to be a major supplier?

[Withnail]

Why is Ukraine importing coal, they used to be a major supplier?

Because they lost control of the Donbas.

[dissident]

Why is Ukraine importing coal, they used to be a major supplier?

They would not need to import any coal if the Kiev coup regime had let the east form a federation as the people of the Donbas wanted in March of 2014. Instead the coup regime launched a suppression operation it calls the "Anti-terrorist Operation". Regime forces have been indiscriminately shelling every town and village they do not control since April. They have also shelled the coal mines.

Another detail, is that the Kiev regime wanted to buy South African coal but it turns out to be the wrong grade and the power plants cannot use it. They were all built to run on Donbas grade coal.

[Withnail]

Another detail, is that the Kiev regime wanted to buy South African coal but it turns out to be the wrong grade and the power plants cannot use it. They were all built to run on Donbas grade coal.

I also heard they are buying US made uranium fuel for their Soviet built nuclear power plants, a very dangerous thing to do.

Which is going to be a problem for Europe in general, not just the nutters in Kiev, if that goes pear shaped.

[SeaGypsy]

The Ukraine President was in Australia last week to do a coal deal. We have plenty & our government has swallowed the lies about responsibility for MH17 & is towing the US line of utter hypocrisy regarding Russia & sovereignty over East Ukraine.