by Stephen Lendman

Despite claiming otherwise. Big Lies substituting for hard truths. Longstanding US-controlled NATO policy. Ignored by media scoundrels reporting nothing.

Kiev wants Donbas democracy crushed. Hardline rule replacing it. Naked aggression waged to force-feed policy.

Illegitimate oligarch president Petro Poroshenko's so-called "day(s) of silence" are meaningless. Subterfuge. Quiet before the storm.

Poroshenko threatened "total war" on Russia. "(F)ull-scale war" on Donbas. "Better prepared than" earlier.

Armed with covertly supplied US weapons and munitions. Unanimously passed identical House and Senate legislation makes it easier.

The Ukraine Freedom Support Act (UFSA) of 2014 authorizes lethal and non-lethal aid. Besides what's already being supplied.

Including communications equipment. Body armor. Night vision goggles. Humvees. Radar. Counter-mortar detection units. Binoculars. Small boats. Various other gear.

Sniper and assault rifles. Hand grenade launchers. Mortars and shells. Stingers. Anti-tank missiles. What's known may be the tip of the iceberg.

UFSA legislation "authoriz(ing) (Obama) to provide defense articles, defense services, and training to the Government of Ukraine for the purpose of countering offensive weapons and reestablishing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine…"

"(I)ncluding anti-tank and anti-armor weapons, crew weapons and ammunition, counter-artillery radars to identify and target artillery batteries, fire control, range finder, and optical and guidance and control equipment, tactical troop-operated surveillance drones, and secure command and communications equipment."

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia "will not be able to leave this without a response." Especially if new US sanctions are imposed.

Ryabkov blamed US "anti-Russian moods." Trying "to dictate decisions to us that for us are categorically unacceptable." Destroying chances for cooperation.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich responded to hostile US legislation, saying:

"Both houses of the US Congress have approved the Ukraine Freedom Support Act bypassing debates and proper voting. The overtly confrontational message of the new law cannot but evoke profound regret."

"Once again Washington is leveling baseless sweeping accusations against Russia and threatening more sanctions."

"At the same time it is muddling together the Ukrainian and Syrian conflicts, which the United States has been instrumental in inflating."

"It even refers to the INF Treaty although American compliance with it is questionable, to put it mildly. At the same time, it promises to Kiev to arm its military operation in Donbass and openly admits that it intends to use NGOs for an impact on Russia’s domestic processes."

"Though it appears that major challenges to international security demand pooled Russian and American efforts, US legislators follow President Obama's administration destroying the very foundation of partnership."

"Bilateral relations are being torpedoed no less powerfully than by the notorious Jackson-Vanik amendment, endorsed in 1974 to obstruct cooperation for several decades."

"We cannot but conclude that, blinded by outdated phobias, the United States is anxious to reverse time."

"As the US Congress instigates anti-Russian sanctions, it should part with the illusion of their effect. Russia will not be intimidated into giving up its interests and tolerating interference in its internal affairs."

Washington is directly involved in planning and directing Kiev's naked aggression. Covertly since conflict began last April.

UFSA legislation does more than authorize arming Ukraine. It directs John Kerry to work with Ukrainian officials. Helping them reduce Russian gas imports.

Instructs Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) overseeing all US civilian and international media to submit an action plan to Congress.

Expanding Russian language broadcasting. In former Soviet republics. Countering Russian Federation "propaganda."

Prioritizing broadcasting in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Through Voice of America. Radio Free Europe. Radio Liberty.

Washington's global propaganda bullhorn. Suppressing hard truths. Featuring Big Lies. Turning reality on its head.

Kiev putschists threaten regional stability. Escalated aggression looms. With full US support and encouragement.

Other NATO countries are arming Ukraine. In September, Kiev's defense minister, Valery Heletey, admitted it. Without naming which ones.

Saying "(w)e reached agreements in closed talks." About weapons Kiev needs.

"I have no right to disclose any specific country we reached that agreement with," he said.

"But the fact is that those weapons are already on the way to us. That's absolutely true. I can officially tell you."

Kiev agreed on Geneva and Minsk ceasefire terms. Violated them straightaway. Intends more conflict ahead. Maybe dirtier than ever.

Perhaps after holiday activities end. Maybe by false flag deception. Complicit with Washington.

Common US strategy to wage wars. Based on Big Lies. Against countries posing America no threat. Or its neighbors.

Expect lull in Donbas fighting to be temporary. Before Kiev resumes aggression full-force. Mobilizing forces to be ready.

Increasing recruitment. Enlarging its military potential. With NATO supplied weapons.

Fort Russ translates "the best of Russian news, analysis, bloggers and social media from Russia and Ukraine," it says. "(A)long with other relevant content."

"Under the present environment of a deliberate assault of the Western mainstream media on Russia, it is more important then ever for the future security of our world that the Western audience hears the Russian side of the story."

On Sunday, it headlined "Russian State Duma Could Authorize the Use of Russian Troops in Ukraine," saying:

Just Russia party member Mikhail Emelyanov calls it a way to protect Russia.

It "cannot calmly watch as the US arms Ukraine with the most modern lethal weapons. In this regard, we should not appear weak," he said.

"The situation is very alarming. Judging by US intentions, they want to turn Ukraine into a fighting platform against Russia, because the economic situation in Ukraine will not improve."

"Of course, arming such a country is potentially dangerous for Russia."

US policy shows Obama wants war. Not peace. Madness on Russia's doorstep. Perhaps before targeting Moscow directly. Emelyanov expressed concern, adding:

"In a few years, Ukraine will turn into a poor and hungry country with an anti-Russian government that will teach its population to hate Russia."

"They will be armed to the teeth and Ukraine and US reluctance to recognize the Russian Federation within its current borders would always provoke conflicts."

Fort Russia calls Poroshenko's government a US "vassal." Instituting "the most drastic measures against is own people and Russia."

Poroshenko installed to serve US interests. "(B)lindly and devotedly following all orders from the United States."

Otherwise he'd be out on his ear. Replaced by another convenient stooge. Hegemons operate this way. Washington most ruthless of all.

Perhaps intending nuclear war on Russia. Madness if launched. Potential armageddon. It bears repeating what other articles stressed.

Lunatics in Washington make anything possible. Including ending life on earth. Madness by any standard.

Destabilizing Russia remains ongoing. America prioritizes regime change. US Ukraine policy is the pretext. Remaining in the eye of the storm. With no end in sight.

On December 14,Sputnik News headlined "Transport planes, combat aircraft and strike helicopters were spotted by militia fighters in eastern Ukraine."

In territory Kiev controls. According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta. Activity especially heavy in Kramatorsk and Chuhiuv. Arms and munitions shipped there from Dnepropetrovsk.

Late Saturday, "NATO transport planes landed in Zaporizhia…Carrying cargo containers and some unspecified equipment."

Novorososia news agency reports US C-130 Hercules transport planes unloading cargo at Zaporizhia airport.

LIkely weapons and munitions. Airport perimeter areas reinforced with "hastily erected guard towers."

Around 50 soldiers dressed in NATO uniforms were spotted. Chuhuiv residents saw them. They spoke Polish. Tried stopping people from photographing them.

Moscow's OSCE ambassador Andrey Kelin believes military action won't resolve things in Donbas.

At the same time, he stresses how Kiev's government gained power. By "anti-constitutional coup d'etat."

"Instead of fighting corruption the Kiev government started the redivision of the spheres of interests."

"The people's fair discontent led to nationalist moods. The Kiev authorities used brutal force, including heavy weaponry and even banned types, against the country's east instead of political dialogue."

"After the military adventure in the east failed, Kiev turned to economic strangulation in violation of the Minsk agreements that envision Donbass’ economic restoration."

"Our colleagues call all this bashfully a .complicated situation.' They try to shuffle off the blame to Russia for pushing Kiev to bomb cities and destroy the infrastructure. The attempt to distort reality will fail."

Possible US planned aggression concerns Russian officials most of all. Knowing what they're up against. Prepared to respond as needed.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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