https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-could-stop-pumping-arms-into-ukraine:-reports

US could stop pumping arms into Ukraine: reports

The days when Congress unanimously supported the US giving arms and equipment to Ukraine are seemingly over, with widespread support for aid dwindling as House Republicans are questioning whether American taxpayers' money would be better spent either against China or the economic hardship that is facing the United States, members of Congress have reported, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Any bill aimed at sending money or weapons to Ukraine passed in Congress without any questions asked, with unwavering bipartisan support, as US politicians saw it as a priority to keep Kiev armed to the teeth so that it can fight Russia.

Since the start of the war, the US has given Ukraine $15.8 billion for "security assistance", which includes a package worth $600 million in early September. Additionally, the White House asked Congress for $13.7 billion for "security and economic assistance" for Ukraine, which the body must pass by the end of the month to keep the Ukrainian government standing.

The opposition to aid to Ukraine is growing; not because the continuous flow of arms would only prolong the war, but because Republican members of Congress cannot justify spending so much money overseas when their country is grappling with various economic and financial crises, most notably soaring inflation.

With the November elections looming on the horizon, the Republican Party is growing more opposed to spending money on Ukraine, and cutting aid to Kiev is only projected to become more of a GOP priority if the red party wins the majority in the House of Representatives in January.

Los Angeles Republican Steve Scalise and New York Republican Elise Stefanik, the second and third most senior House Republicans, recently refused to reveal whether their party would continue pumping money into Ukraine if their party secures the majority.

"There are a lot of members that want to see more accountability in the Department of Defense and more of a focus on the threats that are out there," Scalise told reporters. "China is moving very aggressively to build up a naval fleet. And right now, our naval fleet is in decline."

Tensions have been on the rise between Washington and Beijing, especially over Taiwan. The situation escalated following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contacts with the island.

Pelosi's visit led China to end cooperation with the US on a number of issues such as climate change, anti-drug efforts, and military talks.

Bipartisan support is not dwindling all too much just yet, as many lawmakers said they expected the $13.7 billion requested by the White House to pass, though they were not too optimistic regarding future requests.

The prospect of Republicans taking over the House of Representatives and the growing GOP resistance to Ukraine aid have pushed the Congress and Biden administration officials to work on swiftly accessing as much assistance to Ukraine as possible before 2023.

If Republicans take control they could invoke a rule used by past GOP speakers that requires majority-Republican support before any bill is brought to the Senate floor for a vote, Arizona Democrat Representative Ruben Gallego said.

"Right now, Ukraine is doing very well," Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mark Milley recently told reporters. "They've seized the strategic initiative, and the Russians have lost their strategic initiative."

The United States has not only been giving money and arms to Ukraine, as a senior official in the US Department of Defense said earlier this month that his country was closely engaged with the armed forces of Ukraine ahead of their Kharkov counteroffensive, providing Kiev's military with intelligence in the buildup to the operation.

The official then went on to underline how his country would continue providing training for Ukraine's military on modern weapon systems supplied to the country by the West as the war unfolds.

"The United States is already has been for a couple of months now been training Ukrainian forces on how to operate some of the newer, more modern capabilities that we have been supplying to Ukraine," the official said.

Despite Washington providing information to Kiev about Russian command posts, ammunition depots, and other potential targets, Ukrainian officials had been hesitant to disclose operational plans to their US counterparts earlier in the conflict, fearing that doing so "could highlight weaknesses and discourage continued American support," US officials told the New York Times.

Part 1

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Despite Washington providing information to Kiev about Russian command posts, ammunition depots, and other potential targets, Ukrainian officials had been hesitant to disclose operational plans to their US counterparts earlier in the conflict, fearing that doing so "could highlight weaknesses and discourage continued American support," US officials told the New York Times.

However, all changed this summer, when Kiev concluded that discussing preparations for its counteroffensive would, contrary to past fears, compel Washington to supply Ukraine with even more weapons, according to what unidentified senior US officials told the NYT.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said a few weeks back that Ukraine has been awaiting another millions-of-dollars-worth shipment of rounds for US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

After a meeting at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, Reznikov said: "The Ukrainian delegation has wrapped up a very eventful and fruitful visit to the Fifth Ukraine Defense Contact Group … An additional $675 million aid package was announced at the meeting. It includes crucial HIMARS ammo."

HIMARS is capable of launching Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles with a range of up to 50 miles as well as a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile with a range of 186 miles. The US has been continuesly supplying Ukraine with GMLRSs, while Kiev continues to make demands for ATACMS delivery.

In addition to burdening the US with requests for aid, Ukraine is selling weapons it acquired from its allies on the black market due to the Kiev forces' limited ability to use them because of their lack of training, logistical challenges, and the diminishing size of the Ukrainian armed force, according to former senior Pentagon adviser Karen Kwiatkowski.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously said the arms supplied by the West to Ukraine were ending up on the black market and spreading across West Asia.

The statements by Moscow and the Pentagon are not just claims, as Kiev itself backed them by admitting that foreign aid meant for Ukraine was already being sold. Ukraine's Bureau of Economic Security Director Vadym Melnyk told Ukraine 24 that the agency had identified repeated cases of selling Western military and humanitarian aid.

Though the United States has been taking care of providing training for the Ukrainian soldiers when it comes to arms they are not accustomed to, Kiev is still selling its arms to the black market due to "inexperience".

A growing number of GOP lawmakers have shown signs of opposition to further pumping arms and money into Ukraine. A few months ago, the political wing of conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, Heritage Action, was against the Biden administration- and Congress-approved $40 billion aid bill. The think tank cited domestic inflation, domestic and foreign debt, and the spending priorities of Washington politicians as its main concerns.

Part 2 - End

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/uganda-leader:-an-attack-on-russia-is-an-attack-on-africa

Uganda leader: An attack on Russia is an attack on Africa

As the rift between Russia and the West grows, African nations seem to be going in the opposite direction and warming ties with Moscow.

Most recently, Uganda seems to be partnering with Russia on a multitude of issues and strengthening relations on a high level, with officials declaring Russia an ally, a partner, and a friend of the African country.

According to the Ugandan leadership, both President and Land Forces commander, Russia has supported Uganda in its anti-colonial fight for 100 years and they will not forget this.

Taking this dynamic alliance further, Ugandan Land Forces commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba acknowledged Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement regarding a possible nuclear war through a tweet on his personal page, highlighting that any attack on Russia is an attack on Africa.

On July 24-28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited African partners Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Congo.

During that visit, Moscow, according to Lavrov, committed to the continued fulfillment of its obligations to supply food, fertilizers, and energy to African countries, regardless of Western sanctions.

"It is essential that all our African friends understand that Russia will continue to fulfill in good faith its obligations under international contracts with regard to exports of food, fertilizers, energy, and other goods vital for Africa. Russia is taking all measures to this end," Lavrov said.

He added that Russia is well-aware of the importance of commodities essential to the social fabric, which includes food.

"I would like to emphasize that the speculations of Western and Ukrainian propaganda that Russia allegedly "exports hunger" are completely unfounded. In fact, these are yet another attempt to shift the blame to others," Lavrov said.

During that visit, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni praised Moscow for its assistance in the fight against colonialism in the 20th century.

Museveni told Lavrov “Whenever issues come up and some people want us to take positions against Russia, we say, ‘these people have been with us for the last 100 years, how can we be automatically against them?'”

This came at a time when Russia publicly stated that the West has been pressuring Africa to take a stance against Russia and support the anti-Russia sanctions imposed by the collective West.

However, Museveni showed his clear position on the matter when he argued that "if Russia makes mistakes then we tell them. But when they have not made a mistake we cannot be against them.”

Musevini also tweeted at the time and made an argument that Uganda refuses to fight someone else's fight and reaffirms his country's right to and desire to trade with Russia.

Most importantly, the Ugandan President acknowledged that "Russia has been supporting the anti-colonial African movement for the last 100 years and I commend their long-standing relationship with Uganda." This marks a clear difference between the relationship that Africa shares with Russia relative to that it has shared with the collective West over the past 100 years.

The Ugandan Land Forces commander's statement comes at a time when the war between Russia and the collective West intensifies and the critical juncture leading towards a new multi-polar world becomes more visible.

African countries such as Uganda, Cape Town, Mali, and others have not forgotten the terrors of the colonial era of the West that has not only destroyed, impoverished, and occupied Africa but has also worked endlessly to maintain its grip on African decision-making and capital.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-announces-new-457-million-package-for-ukraine-law-enforce

US announces new $457 million package for Ukraine 'law enforcement'

The US announced another $457.5 million “in funding for Ukrainian law enforcement," not to mention billions for immediate military supplies to Ukrainian nationals.

"Our provision of personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and armored vehicles has significantly reduced casualties for Ukrainian civilians and their defenders," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

"The United States stands side-by-side with the Ukrainian people and remains committed to supporting a democratic, independent, and sovereign Ukraine," he added.

According to the State Department, the US has committed more than $645 million to Ukrainian law enforcement since mid-December.

Since the start of the war, the US has given Ukraine $15.8 billion for "security assistance", which includes a package worth $600 million in early September. Additionally, the White House asked Congress for $13.7 billion for "security and economic assistance" for Ukraine.

The United States has not only been giving money and arms to Ukraine, as a senior official in the US Department of Defense said earlier this month that his country was closely engaged with the armed forces of Ukraine ahead of their Kharkov counteroffensive, providing Kiev's military with intelligence in the buildup to the operation.

The official then went on to underline how his country would continue providing training for Ukraine's military on modern weapon systems supplied to the country by the West as the war unfolds.

"The United States is already has been for a couple of months now been training Ukrainian forces on how to operate some of the newer, more modern capabilities that we have been supplying to Ukraine," the official said.

Despite Washington providing information to Kiev about Russian command posts, ammunition depots, and other potential targets, Ukrainian officials had been hesitant to disclose operational plans to their US counterparts earlier in the conflict, fearing that doing so "could highlight weaknesses and discourage continued American support," US officials told the New York Times.

However, it all changed this summer, when Kiev concluded that discussing preparations for its counteroffensive would, contrary to past fears, compel Washington to supply Ukraine with even more weapons, according to what unidentified senior US officials told the NYT.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said a few weeks back that Ukraine has been awaiting another millions-of-dollars-worth shipment of rounds for US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

After a meeting at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, Reznikov said, "The Ukrainian delegation has wrapped up a very eventful and fruitful visit to the Fifth Ukraine Defense Contact Group … An additional $675 million aid package was announced at the meeting. It includes crucial HIMARS ammo."

HIMARS is capable of launching Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles with a range of up to 50 miles as well as a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile with a range of 186 miles. The US has been continuously supplying Ukraine with GMLRSs, while Kiev continues to make demands for ATACMS delivery.

In addition to burdening the US with requests for aid, Ukraine is selling weapons it acquired from its allies on the black market due to the Kiev forces' limited ability to use them because of their lack of training, logistical challenges, and the diminishing size of the Ukrainian armed force, according to former senior Pentagon adviser Karen Kwiatkowski.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously said the arms supplied by the West to Ukraine were ending up on the black market and spreading across West Asia.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/venezuela-welcomes-the-use-of-the-ruble-to-attract-russian-t

Venezuela welcomes the use of the ruble to attract Russian tourists

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomes the wider use of the Russian ruble and hopes to restore the flow of tourists from Russia in the near future according to the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Faria, as reported on Monday.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Faria said that "It is no secret that Russia seeks to expand the use of the ruble, bringing it to other countries… As for Venezuela, this would benefit the development of our tourism, because, as we know, hundreds of Russian tourists are flying to Margarita Island."

Faria noted that the number of Russian tourists to Venezuela has already reached the thousands, stressing that "This process was suspended due to the sanctions imposed against Russia, which is preventing Russia from using the usual routes to send planes to our continent. It will restart. This will greatly help the development of tourism in our country."

Russian-Venezuelan relations

Venezuela affirmed its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine, during Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov's visit to Venezuela early in February 2022.

Venezuelan Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami spoke on behalf of President Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan people to affirm support for the Russian people, the Russian Federation, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He added that Russia is a power that has put its scientific, technological, industrial, and energy development at the service of humanity.

In response to Aissami, Borisov stated that Venezuela is a strategic partner of Russia in Latin America and the world, expressing his appreciation for this partnership and dialogue of confidence at the political level.

Later in March, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro described the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia as a crime against the Russian people, and "madness."

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/japanese-consul-in-vladivostok-detained-over-espionage

Japanese Consul in Vladivostok detained over espionage

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated, on Monday, that a consul from the Japanese Consulate-General was apprehended while gathering data on the repercussions of Western sanctions on the economic situation in Russia's Primorsky Krai.

In a statement, the FSB said that "Russia's Federal Security Service in the Primorsky Krai has prevented an espionage action on the part of Motoki Tatsunori, a consul of the Japanese Consulate-General in Vladivostok."

Furthermore, FSB added that the Japanese diplomat was apprehended while receiving restricted information about Russia's cooperation with one of the countries from the Asia-Pacific region and the effect of Western sanctions on the economic situation in the Primorsky Krai in exchange for a monetary reward.

"A protest has been expressed to the Japanese side through diplomatic channels. Motoki Tatsunori has been declared persona non grata in connection with activities incompatible with the status of a diplomat," the statement added.

It is worth noting that Motoki Tatsunori pleaded guilty to violating Russian law, as per a recorded confession.

FSB released a confession video that showcased Tatsunori responding to a question about whether he understood that he had violated Russian law by saying, "Now I understand."

A segment of the video also showed the Consul meeting with an unidentified person in a restaurant.

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