Conversation between Senator John Kennedy and General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The Admiral is asking for funding. He is testifying before the budget committee, which decides whether to provide it.

Senator: General, is Russia our friend?

General: Sir, they are not…

S: Between Ukraine and Russia, who do we want to win this war?

G: We would prefer there not be a war, but obviously…

S: But there is. Who should win?

G: Obviously, we want Ukraine to remain independent and not be absorbed by Russia.

S: Good. When Putin went into Ukraine, he thought he would walk in and take it in two days, like thunder on a summer night, right?

G: Yes.

S: But the Ukrainian people fought back, didn’t they?

G: Yes, sir, they did.

S: And now they have some of the most advanced drone technology in the world, correct?

G: Yes, sir.

S: They are using drones very effectively and, with limited resources, are inflicting serious damage on Russia, aren’t they?

G: Yes.

S: In fact, with limited resources, they have destroyed 40% of Russia’s oil export capabilities. Since January, using drones and a limited number of cruise missiles, they have struck oil and gas facilities inside Russia more than one hundred times. Not on the border, but deep inside Russia. Correct?

G: Yes, sir.

S: And Putin got so scared that he almost had to cancel the military parade, right?

G: I’m not certain, sir, but I’ll take your word for it.

S: Fine. How much money? Keep in mind, there are $300 billion in frozen Russian assets around the world, correct?

G: I do not know, sir.

S: I do – $300 billion. And frankly, no offense, I’m surprised you don’t know that. And Europe asked for our permission to use that money for Ukraine’s benefit. Not a single cent of it belongs to American taxpayers, right?

G: I do not believe it is taxpayer money.

S: No, it all belongs to Russia, right?

G: I believe so.

S: And the EU asked for our permission to take that money and give it to Ukraine so Ukraine could DEFEAT RUSSIA NEXT WEEK AND END THIS WAR. That’s a good idea, isn’t it?

G: I think it certainly could help stop this war.

S: Good idea. Would you support transferring those billions to Ukraine? Again, without using American taxpayer money.

G: That goes beyond my authority as service chief.

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This whole situation is surreal.

Everyone understands that if Ukraine were given sufficient resources, it could end this war. The money exists – frozen Russian assets.

The previous administration was afraid to touch those funds “just in case,” and instead preferred drip-feeding aid and dragging the war out.

The current administration does not like Ukraine and likes Russia, so it provides no aid at all – not even the previous drip-feed support – while continuing to block the use of frozen Russian assets.

At this point, one only hopes they do not start helping Russia directly.

Europe is also afraid.

Year 12 of the war. Every day, thousands killed. Every month, losses comparable to total U.S. casualties in the Vietnam War. Every two weeks, Russia loses as many troops as it did during the entire Soviet–Afghan War.

But everyone is still “very afraid of escalation”…

Author: Vasyl Taras