That was happening when Russia had infiltrated many political sections of UKR trying to establish control. Zelensky was active in purging these Russia activists out of UKR. Russia tried to 'embezzle' money for their 'rich guys' like they are doing in Russia today. Robbing from the people - giving to their buddies.
I much appreciate your thoughtful views…I entirely agree, both on Ukraine and, in reference to a previous article, the growing prevalence of anger as a moving principle in our politics, and the concomitant danger to our democratic institutions. Unfortunately, I fear your rational and balanced opinions will attract a lot of hostility from the fringes of the far right. I'm not a Conservative but I appreciate and am interested in what you write. Please persevere!
Hon O'toole, I agree with you that the West must stand with resolve. My concern is Russia is banking on the west getting bored with "the long game". You referenced a CBC link written in Sept 2022, my questions are specific to Canada's contribution of battlefield useful weapons. I CARE about the Ukraine WINNING in those eastern oblasts (I remind all, they have been fighting since 2014):
QUOTED FROM CBC:
Last June, the Liberal government promised to deliver 39 armoured troop carriers (ACSVs) to Ukraine — vehicles that have no weapons. The first few of those vehicles were shipped recently by the manufacturer, GDLS Land Systems Canada of London, Ont. MM-Have all these ACSVs been delivered?
The Ukrainians say they need a fighting vehicle "with a 25 millimetre chaingun," which is the main armament on a LAV VI and the older (now decommissioned) LAV III, which the Canadian army used in Afghanistan. MM-WELL? Will Canada provide the LAV VI?
Ukraine is also asking Canada to once again dip into its stock of M-777 howitzers and to supply more shells and winter clothing for their troops, the sources said.
MM: As a Canadian, I want Russia to LOSE these oblasts, I fully respect Canada's military with regard to training and tactics. That said, I want a steady stream of effective, offensive weapons so the Ukrainians can kick the Russians off that land bridge to Crimea.
Thanks for the thoughtful note. I included the CBC article because a large part of what was mentioned has yet to be delivered. Canada should speed up the delivery of LAVs with proper armaments regardless of version. We can always backfill our inventory later. I would like to see more urgency on delivering what was promised.
Our present government has actually done an ok job of supporting Ukraine, partly because it’s smart politics in a nation like ours, and also because Deputy PM Freeland is smart, tenacious and Ukrainian (and would probably make a decent PM, and I’m saying that as someone whose never, ever voted LPC).
What worries me is a future CPC government that might receive significant electoral support from those individuals you spoke about in your last piece and, more importantly, might contain quite a few MPs whose personal re-election depends entirely on those same conspiracy-driven types.
As in the USA, the tinfoil hat brigade is far stronger on the political right (not to say the left doesn’t have just as many - they’re just further from the levers of power), and it’s them who I consistently see ranting on against Ukraine, as your own comment section demonstrates.
Yet another reason to steer the CPC back from its current populist trajectory to moderate conservatism.
Please do not fall for these narratives.
That was happening when Russia had infiltrated many political sections of UKR trying to establish control. Zelensky was active in purging these Russia activists out of UKR. Russia tried to 'embezzle' money for their 'rich guys' like they are doing in Russia today. Robbing from the people - giving to their buddies.
I much appreciate your thoughtful views…I entirely agree, both on Ukraine and, in reference to a previous article, the growing prevalence of anger as a moving principle in our politics, and the concomitant danger to our democratic institutions. Unfortunately, I fear your rational and balanced opinions will attract a lot of hostility from the fringes of the far right. I'm not a Conservative but I appreciate and am interested in what you write. Please persevere!
Hon O'toole, I agree with you that the West must stand with resolve. My concern is Russia is banking on the west getting bored with "the long game". You referenced a CBC link written in Sept 2022, my questions are specific to Canada's contribution of battlefield useful weapons. I CARE about the Ukraine WINNING in those eastern oblasts (I remind all, they have been fighting since 2014):
QUOTED FROM CBC:
Last June, the Liberal government promised to deliver 39 armoured troop carriers (ACSVs) to Ukraine — vehicles that have no weapons. The first few of those vehicles were shipped recently by the manufacturer, GDLS Land Systems Canada of London, Ont. MM-Have all these ACSVs been delivered?
The Ukrainians say they need a fighting vehicle "with a 25 millimetre chaingun," which is the main armament on a LAV VI and the older (now decommissioned) LAV III, which the Canadian army used in Afghanistan. MM-WELL? Will Canada provide the LAV VI?
Ukraine is also asking Canada to once again dip into its stock of M-777 howitzers and to supply more shells and winter clothing for their troops, the sources said.
MM: As a Canadian, I want Russia to LOSE these oblasts, I fully respect Canada's military with regard to training and tactics. That said, I want a steady stream of effective, offensive weapons so the Ukrainians can kick the Russians off that land bridge to Crimea.
Thanks in advance
Thanks for the thoughtful note. I included the CBC article because a large part of what was mentioned has yet to be delivered. Canada should speed up the delivery of LAVs with proper armaments regardless of version. We can always backfill our inventory later. I would like to see more urgency on delivering what was promised.
Hon O’Toole thsnk you for confirming what I suspected: Canada is failing at meaningfully supporting the actual Battle (The Russians must love us) :-(
Our present government has actually done an ok job of supporting Ukraine, partly because it’s smart politics in a nation like ours, and also because Deputy PM Freeland is smart, tenacious and Ukrainian (and would probably make a decent PM, and I’m saying that as someone whose never, ever voted LPC).
What worries me is a future CPC government that might receive significant electoral support from those individuals you spoke about in your last piece and, more importantly, might contain quite a few MPs whose personal re-election depends entirely on those same conspiracy-driven types.
As in the USA, the tinfoil hat brigade is far stronger on the political right (not to say the left doesn’t have just as many - they’re just further from the levers of power), and it’s them who I consistently see ranting on against Ukraine, as your own comment section demonstrates.
Yet another reason to steer the CPC back from its current populist trajectory to moderate conservatism.