(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Ukraine's Glass Is More Than Half Full [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-02-23 After reading so many great Daily Kos diaries, I got brave (or foolish) enough to write one. I’m sure there are mistakes, I just don’t know where they are to correct them. Please don’t be sparing in your comments, and thanks for reading. ::::::::: A week ago, things could not look bleaker for Ukraine and for Kossacks who stand with Ukraine. On Friday February 16 Ukrainian troops withdrew from Avdiivka, a city Russian troops had tried to encircle for nearly a year. According to the White House, the retreat was largely due to lack of ammunitions. Assistance for Ukraine had been held up by the GOP-controlled House since October. On February 13, after months of work, the Senate passed a bipartisan aid bill which included $61 billion for Ukraine. Speaker Mike Johnson did not allow a vote. But the setbacks galvanized Ukraine’s European and Western allies. Just when its glass appeared nearly empty, they boosted their support. On February 18 Denmark pledges its artillery to Ukraine. On February 19 The Netherlands announced it is shipping UAVs to Ukraine as part of a drone coalition. On February 20 Sweden announced it is providing Ukraine with an aid package worth $680 million. Forbes provides details on the combat boats included in the package: With their top-mounted remote guns laying down covering fire and their frontal armor shrugging off enemy small arms, a squadron of 10 CB90s could land a company of marines “with a degree of survivability for both the craft and embarked troops” On February 22 UK announced it is sending Ukraine 200 Brimstone missiles. UK is also a co-leader in the drone coalition. The Czech Republic has found a $2 billion worth of reserve artillery. It can be sent to Ukraine once funding for it is secured. The story first reported on February 19. On February 22 Canada announced it may contribute CAN $30 million (US $22 million) toward the $2 billion. In swiftly increasing military assistance, allies signaled their unity toward Ukraine. If Putin’s MO is to gain by dividing, he is running into a brick wall here. A discharge petition is in motion to force a vote on the aid package. It will be a true turning point if the package passes the House to be signed by President Biden and released to Ukraine. The WSJ article referred to in the diary is here The retreat from Avdiivka was costly and demoralizing. But if there is a gain in every loss, it has made apparent that Speaker Mike Johnson and many GOP members run interference for Vladimir Putin in his illegal invasion of Ukraine. As well, the unexpected death of Alexei Navalny on February 16 shines the brightest light on the Putin regime. Navalny did not die in prison, he was murdered there. No links needed. As Putin’s crimes add up, they put the Kremlin man irreversibly on the side of Evil. Evil has a bad record against Good. Ukraine’s glass is actually half-full, and some. [END] --- [1] Url: https://dailykos.com/stories/2024/2/23/2225243/-Ukraine-s-Glass-Is-More-Than-Half-Full?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/