In Unexpected Move, Trump Enacts Obama-era Law Opening US Arms Sales To Ukraine | Zero Hedge
Description: After years of covert American involvement in the Ukrainian proxy war which has raged since 2014, President Trump has decided to come off the fence regarding his prior reluctance to formally approve arms sales to the Kiev government.
Keywords: Zero Hedge,Zerohedge,Finance,Economics,Markets,Politics,Analysis,Bob Corker,national intelligence,Obama Administration,Rex Tillerson,Ukraine,Vladimir Putin,White House
Date: 2017-12-20T00:00:00Z

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# In Unexpected Move, Trump Enacts Obama-era Law Opening US Arms Sales To Ukraine

by Tyler Durden
Dec 20, 2017 11:25 PM
0
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After years of covert American involvement in the Ukrainian proxy and civil war which has raged since 2014 - and which a leaked recording confirmed was precipitated by the US State Department - President Trump has decided to come off the fence regarding his prior reluctance to formally approve arms sales to the Kiev government. Late Wednesday the Washington Post first reported the bombshell news that after months of indecision over whether or not to move forward with Obama-era legislation which initially paved the way for legalizing US arms sales to Ukraine, Trump has approved the first ever US commercial sale of weapons to the war-torn country.

According to The Washington Post, "administration officials confirmed that the State Department this month approved a commercial license authorizing the export of Model M107A1 Sniper Systems, ammunition, and associated parts and accessories to Ukraine, a sale valued at $41.5 million. These weapons address a specific vulnerability of Ukrainian forces fighting a Russian-backed separatist movement in two eastern provinces. There has been no approval to export the heavier weapons the Ukrainian government is asking for, such as Javelin antitank missiles."

Image via News Front

Though WaPo's Josh Rogin characterizes the decision as intended to appease hawks while seeking to avoid broader conflict escalation based on "limited arms sales" (and not approving some of the heavier weaponry sought by Kiev), the move is likely to further ratchet up tensions with Russia, which is ironic for the fact that the decision comes the same week that former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be handling Trump like "an asset". Or perhaps we will be assured this is just more 4-dimensional chess playing between Trump and Putin to prove that not Putin but the Military Industrial Complex is once again "unexpectedly" in charge?

Going back to nearly the start of the conflict, the US and EU have leveled increasingly harsh sanctions on Russia - first on individuals, companies, and banks - and then on Russian defense and energy sectors operating in relation to the Crimea. The US has long accused Russia of destabilizing the former Soviet republic along its southwest border, while Moscow credits American and European with engineering the Euromaidan coup in order to weaken Russian influence and suppress Russian-speaking minorities in Ukraine's east.

Congressional anti-Russia hawks have long sought greater long-term military engagement along Russia's European border, especially after the May 2014 referendum which saw the pro-Russian Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk declare independence from Kiev. And though Congress originally authorized weapons sales via the Ukraine Freedom Support Act signed into law in December 2014, the Obama administration never made the decision to actually follow through on the legislation.

Senator Bob Corker is one such original co-sponsor of the legislation, who told the Washington Post concerning Trump's decision to move forward, “I’m pleased the administration approved the sale of defensive lethal arms to Ukraine.” And he added, “This decision was supported by Congress in legislation that became law three years ago and reflects our country’s longstanding commitment to Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.”

Concerning the impetus behind internal White House deliberations to move on the issue, the Washington Post reports:

> Another senior Trump administration official said that Trump personally approved the decision to allow the issuing of the license after being presented a decision memo by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. While there was never a formal ban on such weapons transfers, the decision was discussed internally as a lifting of the de facto Obama administration restrictions, the official said.

And while somewhat soft-peddling the significance of the decision in terms of on the ground escalation in Ukraine, WaPo admits that this likely means the floodgates are now open on multi-national weapons exports to Ukraine, especially as it coincides with a similar measure approved by Canada earlier this week. The WaPo report continues:

> “We have crossed the Rubicon, this is lethal weapons and I predict more will be coming,” said one senior congressional official. It’s likely no mere coincidence that Canada also approved lethal defense sales to Ukraine this week, which would happen only if the Canadian government knew the United States was on board, the official said.

> The Trump administration notified leading congressional committees of the sale on Dec. 13 but didn’t make any public announcements, which some say reflects the sensitivity of the decision and concern about how it will be received by Trump supporters who long opposed the move, as well as by Putin.

Meanwhile, as the Washington Post also affirms, fighting in eastern Ukraine is heating up after a period of relative Western media silence on the war. And likely with this announcement it will return to the media spotlight.

During the presidential campaign Trump appeared to take a more conciliatory tone on the Ukraine and Russia issue, repeatedly stating that he would work with Putin to resolve the crisis while at the same time he resisted Republican efforts to include more aggressive language endorsing lethal assistance to Ukraine as part of the GOP platform.

- White House
- Vladimir Putin
- Obama Administration
- Ukraine
- Bob Corker
- national intelligence
- Rex Tillerson

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Bes Dec 20, 2017 11:31 PM

unexpected move from

the Neocon Zionist

MIC loving Trump????

calling Bullshit

major fucking BULLSHIT

-----

i suppose this is more 11D chess

hahahahaha!

RedPillGirl Bes Dec 20, 2017 11:39 PM

Don't think Poroshenko is solvent.

He might need to start selling all Ukrainian teen girls on the sex market. But they are so cheap nowadays, they are giving ass away for free.

Teen Gamer Karina Kozyreva TheFappening Leaked Nudes

http://celebrity-leaks.net/russian-teen-gamer-karina-sycheva-leaked-nude...

RationalExuberance RedPillGirl Dec 20, 2017 11:41 PM

Karina Kazyreva is Russian

RedPillGirl RationalExuberance Dec 20, 2017 11:43 PM

Is there any difference?

RationalExuberance RedPillGirl Dec 20, 2017 11:52 PM

President Trump, what a BOSS:

* Israel capital to Jerusalem

* Lethal weapons to Ukraine

* Decertify nuclear deal with Iran

This is how to MAGA. Russia shills, are you crying yet?

greenskeeper carl RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 12:00 AM

Oh boy. Just what he was elected for. More blood on American hands. I know us refusing to sell weapons to the rest of the world isn't going to stop them from killing each other, but it would be nice if the tools doing the killing weren't made in the USA.

Pinto Currency greenskeeper carl Dec 21, 2017 12:30 AM

The West's promises made to Russia not expand NATO eastward.

Sorry Chump You Didn't Have it in Writing

https://www.marketarmor.com/2017/12/17/sorry-chump-you-didnt-have-it-in-writing/

TBT or not TBT Pinto Currency Dec 21, 2017 1:28 AM

Sorry, now we know how Putin colluded with the Clintons, it's on.

Slack Jack TBT or not TBT Dec 21, 2017 5:47 AM

Is Ukraine the new Poland?

Proof that Adolf Hitler was a double agent.

http://www.preearth.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1174

It seems pretty weird when you first read it, but its clearly true.

IH8OBAMA RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 12:03 AM

Obama refused to give/sell Ukraine any weapons. Then Russia's rebels shot down an airliner. Get real ZH.

silverer IH8OBAMA Dec 21, 2017 12:10 AM

Russian rebels did NOT shoot down that airliner. Turn off your TV.

RationalExuberance silverer Dec 21, 2017 12:28 AM

The Dutch investigation established this as fact. You turn off your TV.

Blano RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 12:40 AM

LOL, the Dutch???

East Indian Blano Dec 21, 2017 5:49 AM

It "established" that a Soviet vintage missile hit the plane. Those missiles are with Ukraine also, and probably with all the ex-Warsaw Pact countries. Now, short of finding out the serial number of that missile, how can we prove it is the Russians who did it?

Second, why are they scared to release the black box data?

Third, why do they refuse to consider the raw data Russia released about the conversations of the ATC?

markar RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 12:54 AM

Like hell they did.

SimplePrinciple markar Dec 21, 2017 2:50 AM

In secret, just their say so.

researchfix SimplePrinciple Dec 21, 2017 3:49 AM

The Dutch are a merchant nation. Got 120 tons of gold for staying mum.

Volkodav RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 5:52 AM

ignorant

Ukraine Officer defected recently with Ukr SBU internal documents showing coverup.

Dutch Investigation is blantant coverup, hiding information. Many Dutch have objected.

Truthoutthere IH8OBAMA Dec 21, 2017 12:24 AM

Clown

SHsparx RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 12:09 AM

"President Trump, what a BOSS:

* Israel capital to Jerusalem

* Lethal weapons to Ukraine

* Decertify nuclear deal with Iran

This is how to MAGA. Russia shills, are you crying yet?"

I can't tell if that's sarcasm. If it is, that's hilarious.

house biscuit SHsparx Dec 21, 2017 5:01 AM

I guess you like your humor with an instruction manual

Eyes Opened SHsparx Dec 21, 2017 7:07 AM

Trump the salesman just can't resist the "Art of the Deal" , he'd probably sell Iran arms if the price was right.....not that I'd have a problem with Iran tooling up for the coming war....

BobEore RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 12:20 AM

TARDNATION STRIKES AGIN!

#winnin!

Psy-ops with yur foolaid Mr Zheeople?

Yowser!

Badsamm RedPillGirl Dec 21, 2017 12:15 AM

Only when they vote to remain Russian.

JohninMK RedPillGirl Dec 21, 2017 6:22 AM

Poroshenko personally is very solvent. He is worth up to $1B and his chocolate company makes a lot of money.

SubjectivObject RedPillGirl Dec 21, 2017 6:52 AM

RedPillGirl:

when you gonna post a fappening of you sucking your own dick?

oh wait, my bad, ... i realize that's all you do here

RationalExuberance Bes Dec 20, 2017 11:40 PM

Russia shills are at loss for words :) Feels good, man.

MAGA!

silverer RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 12:10 AM

Time for Putin to sell arms to the Amish.

RationalExuberance silverer Dec 21, 2017 12:36 AM

Amish People's Republic of Pennsylvania.

gougeonit RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 3:06 AM

I BET YOU A BUCK THAT THE USA REINSTATES A DRAFT LOTTERY IN THE NEW YEAR!

Clashfan Bes Dec 20, 2017 11:52 PM

This does appear to be bad.

Yet again, Rump brings more swamp not less.

Check his list of CFR appointments if you're confused.

house biscuit Clashfan Dec 21, 2017 5:01 AM

Can't stand all the winning.....

Badsamm Bes Dec 21, 2017 12:14 AM

Sweet, in just a couple years, all the young men will be dead and the women will be easy pickings

OverTheHedge Badsamm Dec 21, 2017 1:36 AM

I think you will find that the girls are cannon-fodder too, these days. The US is an equal opportunities destroyer.

Badsamm Bes Dec 21, 2017 12:18 AM

In other news, Russian weapons are set to begin flooding into Afghanistan.

RationalExuberance Badsamm Dec 21, 2017 2:00 AM

As if weren't flooding already anyway

C_Tacitus Bes Dec 21, 2017 12:43 AM

Trump seems to want to overtake Bush Jr as MIC extraordinaire warmonger inflaming tensions in all parts of the Globe.

Let's hope Orange Nero does not turn Rome into the color of his hair: flaming orange-red .....

Implied Violins Dec 20, 2017 11:29 PM

WTF??? Does McCain have Trump in a fucking headlock??

HRClinton Implied Violins Dec 21, 2017 12:04 AM

No, AIPAC does. As do butt-sore (((Ukie oligarchs))), whose predatory biz plans did not pan out as intended.

veritas semper ... Implied Violins Dec 21, 2017 1:04 AM

No,Mileikovski Satanyahoo does.

I take this as a Hail Mary from the desperate AAZ Empire.US is trying so hard to create havoc all over the world and trigger a disaster,that it would be funny,if it was not so tragic and dangerous. US acts like a cornered rabid hyena Very dangerous,as it is irrational. I was afraid of this.

That petro yuan ,backed by GOLD,IS LETHAL. This and the the fact that US and IS..Ra..EL have LOST big in ME and they are shown the door.

AND no amount of HASBARA delusion and hubris can change that.

If the we survive this,when the US will bite the dust,collapsing into the 4th world status,NOBODY in the world is going to have any sympathy for us.

Very sad and sobering ,but inevitable at this point.

I did not expect too much from the Donald,but to tell you the truth,I did not expect him to be such an idiot and a FAILURE.

I suppose that the only consolation for the Trump's fan gallery(as stupid as the Faggot's gallery at this point),will be a mushroom cloud in the form of MAGA.

That will show the Russians and Chinese and Iranians,and Hezbollah and Assad and ...

RationalExuberance veritas semper vinces Dec 21, 2017 2:02 AM

Sorry, only care about the US of A. Russians and Chinese and Iranians,and Hezbollah and Assad can burn in hell.

Firestorme Dec 20, 2017 11:29 PM

WTF - just as I am warming up to Trump again after the cruise missle attack on Syria, he pulls this shit. WTF!!!

Blano Firestorme Dec 21, 2017 12:45 AM

We're not going to like everything he does, I knew that from the outset.

Still better than the SheBeast.

Jack's Raging B... Dec 20, 2017 11:31 PM

Maybe Joe Biden's son can profit off of those weapons too, if his beak isn't quite moistened enough by all of that oil.

haruspicio Dec 20, 2017 11:33 PM

Ukriane is bankrupt so what will Trump do, loan them some money to buy the arms? What if they vote against the US on Thursday? Perhaps the IMF will put up the funds so the bd debts can be spread around NATO countires.

mc888 haruspicio Dec 20, 2017 11:59 PM

Trump got MIC points for approving arms sales to a buyer he knows can't afford it.

JohninMK mc888 Dec 21, 2017 5:57 AM

Yes, because the US is funding the purchase.

RationalExuberance Dec 21, 2017 12:59 AM

Ahahahaha!! Russia shills... Ahhahah!

Russia shills are going to be attacking President Trump now.

BarkingCat Dec 20, 2017 11:38 PM

I don't really see what the difference is.

There had been reports of the separatists picking of advanced US weapons after winning engagements with Ukrainian forces, so obviously this has already been going on.

This must be a case of making it official in order to avoid looking like hypocrites.

researchfix BarkingCat Dec 21, 2017 3:53 AM

The new thing seems to be the word "sale". It could mean, they only get weapons if they pay for them. Until now it was for free.

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