by Batko Milacic – Independent analyst – for The Saker Blog
Judging by the latest statements coming from European politicians, Ukraine has fewer and fewer allies in Europe. European politicians do not support corruption and crime, and the absence of any successful economic reforms in Ukraine. That is why Ukraine as a country is often mentioned in the European media – in a negative sense.
Recently, The United States and the European Union have expressed frustration with Ukraine as the nation continues to drag its feet on electing the chief of a unit responsible for prosecuting corrupt officials.
On October 9, Ukraine again failed to move forward with the process for choosing the next head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) after several members of the selection committee did not show up, preventing a quorum. In a joint statement issued on October 9, the United States and the EU described the latest delay as “incomprehensible and unjustified” and called on the committee to “resume its work without further delay.
However, in addition to corruption and crime, another problem is becoming increasingly visible in Ukraine. This primarily refers to “volunteers“ from the United States, who turned out to be criminals and racists.
The conflict between pro-Russian and government forces, going on since 2014, has been smoldering over the past few years with the sides occasionally trading gunfire along the line of separation in Donbass. The very first year of the conflict proved very difficult for both sides. The pro-Russian forces had to vacate some of the occupied territories, and the Ukrainian army suffered two crushing defeats at Debaltseve and Illovaisk. As a result, the all-out war was eventually stopped by the practically non-working Minsk agreements.
However, on the Ukrainian side, fighters from the far-right stand out. In this war, which is very unpopular among the common population, members of ultra-right formed a volunteer battalion, later the Azov regiment that neo-Nazis from all across Europe flocked to. There were Croatian Ustashas, Italian fascists and representatives of other nations, including extreme right-wingers from the United States. At first glance, one would be hard put to understand the principle according to which the proponents of the superiority theories chose the side to fight for. Russians do not differ much from Ukrainians, which is evident from the perfectly Russian endings of the names of many Azov fighters. The answer is simple though – even before the conflict broke out, Ukrainian neo-Nazis, maintained close ties with their `brothers` from far and wide.
As for the pro-Russian forces, they maintained discipline because their fighters came from the local population, which made service in their ranks way less attractive to lovers of looting and violence. Unlike in the Azov regiment where everything was possible! For example, Craig Lang, a native of South Carolina, liked to drown defenseless women together with his partner, the Austrian neo-Nazi Benjamin Fischer. The latter, by the way, would give them adrenaline injections to make sure they would not die prematurely. However, this was just one in the long list of “entertainment” which the “volunteers” would engage in, given that in Donbass any local resident could be accused of “aiding the separatists” and then be tortured with impunity.
Back home in the United States, Mr. Lang did not feel so comfortable though. In fact, his move to Ukraine was consistent with his views and their implementation – the US neo-Nazi was accused of double murder. It soon became clear that there were others like him too, and so the FBI sounded the alarm. The right-wingers from the “Rise Above Movement,” who hone their skills on humans are a real threat to America! However, the FBI’s main priority was, of course, the investigation of Lang’s crimes committed on US soil, so the Department of Justice demanded his extradition. Pertinent UN agencies got involved too. Numerous investigations by the OSCE, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other organizations about war crimes in Donbas – have become impossible to ignore.
Also, Europe also clearly shows that it will not tolerate the ultra-right. For example, in November 2020, the Special Court for Kosovo arrested the “father” of Kosovo independence, Hashim Thaçi, and charged him with war crimes. And this is despite the Kosovo rebels’ long-standing ties with the US Democrats. European human rights activists set their sights also on Ukraine and on May 20, 2021, after lengthy discussions and bending under Western pressure, the Ukrainian parliament adopted Bill No. 2689 “on war crimes in the area of hostilities and in the occupied territories of Ukraine.” At the same time, a number of politicians accused the bill’s authors of unwillingness to “protect” Ukraine’s “defenders” and of future persecutions on “orders from Moscow.” However, this law does not fully comply yet with the criminal law of Ukraine, and the ultra-right in Ukraine does not give up. Nevertheless, whether Craig Lang and others like him will be handed over to the US justice or will be allowed to enjoy impunity in the Ukrainian “Anti-Terrorist Operation” zone in Donbass, is a big question. However, this is a question for Ukrainian President Zelensky. Apparently, President Zelensky should be asked just who he fears the most – the US Department of Justice or his own Far Right?
What do you call when corrupt officials try to prosecute corrupt officals?
“What do you call when corrupt officials try to prosecute corrupt officals?”
Politics.
US’ allies should lift restrictions on defensive lethal supplies to Ukraine, says Pentagon
The US has provided Javelin anti-armor systems to Ukraine, the Pentagon official noted
https://tass.com/world/1355493
Attempts to settle Donbass conflict by force to result in incalculable tragedy — diplomat
Maria Zakharova noted that Western countries’ incessant deliveries of armaments and ammunition to Ukraine bolstered Kiev’s confidence that the conflict in Donbass can be resolved with military means.
https://tass.com/world/1355381
The Ukrainians could bring up Hillary. Look into her first and then we will appoint the anti-corruption team.
Sure, they should look into her as the core of corruption as US secretary of state, but instead they’ll look the other way on her record of fostering corruption and go as far as appointing her as chief of the anti-corruption team, and I believe that Nuland can be moved over from a failing state department and appointed as her deputy. After all, she can at least understand the language.
“European politicians do not support corruption and crime,” and “Europe also clearly shows that it will not tolerate the ultra-right”. Are you sure?
In what was a classical Colour Revolution both Europe and the US, certainly supported the coup with hard cash and war materiel in the war against the breakaway republics – Lugansk and Donetsk – in the Donbass. It was only after two punishing defeats for the Ukie army regulars and the neo-nazi units of the Adair, Tornado and worst of all Azov Brigade at Ilovaisk and later the Debaltsevo cauldron which halted the Ukrainian offensive. There was certainly covert military intervention from Russia in the form of volunteers, artillery and logistical support, and there was a more rigorous support from ordinary Russians who wanted a more aggressive stance against the regime and its EU/US backers.
Of course the west, most importantly the US and Germany, were instrumental in the preparation and support of the Poroshenko regime. But the war has been dragging on since 2014 and western governments and the IMF are becoming a little tired of stumping the cash which keeps the Ukrainian ‘government’ in power.
Thus the situation is not resolved and this policy is likely to continue because the west and NATO want it to do so. And this policy will endure as long as the EU/US puppets remain in power in Kiev.
the eu also supported the infowar. i clearly recall how after months of maidan withouth a single news item in tv radio or newspapers, a sunday all tv radio and newspapers where shouting in unison about maidan. that was the week that shots where fired and president fled.
they clearly where instructed to do so, and where parroting all over europe the “maidan good, russia bad” mantra as a fine tunes orquestra.
even today e.g. euronews is completely biased in anything related ukraine or russia.
“European politicians do not support corruption”
Oh please, how can someone pretend something which is so obviously untrue? Corruption is widespread among politicians in France, Italy and Greece, actually the extent of it is breathtaking. Even the head of the ECB, Christine Lagarde, was convicted of being involved in a massive financial scandal. But hey, no problem there, nothing to see.
But it is not just among those “usual suspects” from southern Europe.
Just this month, Austria’s Chancellor Kurz stepped down over a corruption scandal. Germany’s health minister Spahn was involved in a disgusting face mask corruption case and I don’t know how he came unscathed out of this. Same with von der Leyen during her tenure as Germany’s defense minister.
Corruption all over Europe is massive and with all respect for the author but I cannot understand how someone can make such a ridiculously false statement.
I am guessing that Batko Milacic is being a little tongue in cheek here. After all, the long history of gross corruption in the Europe Sphere (and UK) is not to be seen in the same light, in fact, should really have some different and less misleading word attached. Perhaps it might be called “cutting corners to get the job done” or “avoiding the red tape” or simply Domestic Realpolitik! We must never be allowed to forget that we are the TRUE democracies in a world full of illigitimate regimes who fail to play by our “rules based” system of checks and balances. UkroNazi pigs feeding at the CIA trough obviously represent a variety of True Corruption, of the sort that we in the mature democracies all very much detest. If anything like that ever raised its ugly head in our precious political realms we would use our power at the voting booth to exterminate it, with extreme prejudice! Right?
What is really causing the stenographers of our media to change tune is that the occupation has been costing more and more each year and failing to provide the desired results. The problem with employing psychopaths to wage a coup is that they are unstable, disloyal, and only generate chaos in the long term. Once they have their feet safely in the door, they even start making demands of their own, and forget who rattles their chains.
We are hearing the chains rattling. It is the sound of the men in suits demanding a return on their investment.
“The problem with employing psychopaths to wage a coup is that they are unstable, disloyal, and only generate chaos in the long term.”
Last time U$ UK and France supported psychopaths to wage a coup (1919-1939 in Germany) same thing happened: Hitler turned and bit the hands that fed him. They learned nothing from that experience.
Exatamente, foste ao ponto. A destruição da Ucrânia só foi possível porque um ente
visceralmente corrupto que é os eua, juntamente com a corrupta europa ocidental e mais republiquetas da europa oriental, financiaram os corruptos ucranianos para uma operação que visava atrair a Rússia para uma gruerra de desgaste. Os russos não morderam a isca e a ucrânia tornou-se um peso morto que não valeu o investimento. Pra mim é completamente impossível acreditar que os ianques e seus capangas europeus estão preocupados com corrupção onde quer que seja já que ela é o lubrificante indispensável para manter em funcionamento sua “democracia”, que para manter a cabeça fora d’água precisa espalhar o caos pelo mundo.
Yandex translation. Mod:
Exactly, you got to the point. The destruction of Ukraine was only possible because a viscerally corrupt ICO that is the US, along with corrupt Western Europe and more Eastern European Republics, funded the corrupt Ukrainians for an operation aimed at luring Russia into a grueling attrition. The Russians did not take the bait, and Ukraine became a dead weight that was not worth the investment. For me it is completely impossible to believe that the Yankees and their European henchmen are concerned with corruption wherever it is since it is the indispensable lubricant to keep their “democracy ” running, which to keep its head out of the water needs to spread chaos around the world.
The arrest of Hashim Thaci is a sign that Europe “will not tolerate the ultra-right”.
All the ultra- right Nazi & ISIS, war criminals from the Balkans from Gotovina to Naser Oric were released early by the Hague Court…
So don’t hold your breath for any European “justice”…
AFAIK Hashim Thaci was extradited for crimes against his own Albanians.
This writer must be a pro EU propagandist from the Vucic circle or some Serbian Atlanticist NGO
Europe does not tolerate extreme right crimes against “their side” but they do tolerate crimes against their geopolitical and civilizational opponents.
Hmm, seems you’re right, Dave. The charge is for mostly Albanian victims.
Well that in case, Thaci may not get off lightly…
“Batko Milacic — Independent Analyst”
Does NGO Batko need to persuade us of his independence by putting an emphasing on “independent analyst”?
Heavens! Sometimes, just sometimes I think of the word ‘dilly’. What else can people try and find fault with?
Dave, that was actually me – because it looked nice to me. So now, wanna fight? :-)
Without jokes, stop insulting this writer. You are saying things that you cannot possibly know.
Lol Amarynth!
Independent to me means non-affiliated which is fine.
Problem is serbian girl, I think I’ve just started for today and will probably fall over on the job. My sarcasm meter needs to be oiled and serviced on account of being stuck in the red zone. We get those days eh. Thanks for your lol!
Yes i know who he is, i looked up more of his articles, he is a 30 yo montenegrin, a historian from Podgorica university. In one particular article he is pushing for EU membership for Ukraine, criticizing Russia for taking Crimea and criticizing neo-nazi movement in Ukraine which hinders EU membership.
No crimes against Serbs in Kosovo have been punished, no crimes against Serbs in former Yugoslavia have been punished.
You can think you know what you think you know. Nevertheless, please stick with this from the moderation policy:
2) All comments have to be courteous to me, the blog’s author, moderators, any guest author and all the other commentators. You are welcome to criticize and even attack ideas, but not people.
amarynth
Saker Support
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66975
“…
Mikhail Pogrebinsky: Thank you, Fyodor. Thank you, Mr President.
I will try to ask a question, the answer to which is awaited, I am sure, by hundreds of thousands of people in my homeland.
You mentioned a Chinese proverb about living in a time of change. Our country has been living like that for almost 30 years now, and the situation is becoming more difficult in anticipation of winter, amid the pandemic, and, I would say, the situation with the Americans. A couple of days ago, we had Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visit our country. He brought $60 million worth of weapons and promised us a bright future as a NATO member, figuratively speaking.
I will note right away that any allegations that NATO is irrelevant because Europe does not agree, are prevarication. One does not need to be a NATO member to have US or British military infrastructure deployed in Ukraine. I believe this process is already underway.
In your July article on historical unity, you wrote that transforming Ukraine into an anti-Russia country is unacceptable for millions of people. This is true, and opinion polls confirm it. Over 40 percent have good or very good thoughts about Russia. However, this transformation has, in fact, started. A rather long and very dangerous, in my opinion, distance in this direction may have already been covered. I think that if this idea with a para-NATO infrastructure continues to be implemented, the process to form what is now a not so stable anti-Russia Ukraine will be cemented for many years to come.
You wrote in your article that if the process continues unabated, it will pose a serious threat to the Russian state, and this may be fraught with Ukraine losing its statehood. People who oppose this movement are facing reprisals. You are aware that they are trying to put Viktor Medvedchuk in prison based on some outlandish charges.
How, in your opinion, can this process be stopped? Maybe, you have a timeline for when it might happen? What can be done in this regard at all?
Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: Unfortunately, I will probably have to disappoint you – I do not yet know the answer to this question. On the one hand, it seems to lie on the surface: the easiest thing is to say that the Ukrainian people must make a decision themselves, and form the bodies of power and administration that would meet their needs and expectations. From one perspective, this is indeed true.
But on the other hand, there is another perspective, and I cannot avoid mentioning it. You have just mentioned Viktor Medvedchuk, who has been charged with high treason. For what? Did he steal some secrets and illegally disclose them to a third party? No. What then? Was it his open political position about stabilising Ukraine’s internal affairs and building relations with its neighbours because those relations are extremely important for Ukraine itself? It is concerning that such people are not allowed to raise their heads. Some of them end up killed, and others locked up.
One gets the impression that the Ukrainian people are not allowed and will not be allowed to legally form the bodies of power that would uphold their interests. The people there are even afraid to respond to polls. They are scared, because the small group that has appropriated the victory in the fight for independence holds radical political views. And that group actually runs the country, regardless of the name of the current head of state.
At least this is how it was until recently: people ran for leadership positions relying on voters in the Southeast, but once elected, they almost immediately changed their political positions to the opposite. Why? Because that silent majority voted for them in the hope that they would fulfil their campaign promises, but the loud and aggressive nationalist minority suppressed all freedom in decision-making that the Ukrainian people expected, and they, in fact, are running the country.
This is a dead end. I do not even know how this can be changed. We will wait and see what happens in Ukraine’s political affairs in the near future.
[ Annotation:
In my opinion, this is the central problem of the story, and something like this is strangely repeated again and again. ]
For our part, we are making every effort to improve these relations. But the threat you just spoke about — not even spoke about, only mentioned — is quite important to us. And you are right that formal NATO membership may never happen, but military expansion on the territory is already underway, and this really poses a threat to the Russian Federation, we are aware of this.
…”
U.S. justice?
This has got to be a joke right?