Though it’s largely missing from the headlines these days, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine continues. As RedState has covered extensively, the Ukrainians have managed to put up a much stronger fight than originally predicted, and that’s led to a protracted, deadly ground war in the contested areas of the east.
Unfortunately, while some thought that would be enough to cause Vladimir Putin to lose interest, that hasn’t happened. Russia appears to be resigned to doing what it takes to maintain its influence over the separatist areas. What that means from the US point of view is spending lots and lots of money to fight a proxy war, and not everyone in Washington is supportive of that, at least not without some basic accountability.
Enter Ukraine-born GOP Rep. Victoria Spartz, who has been a strong supporter of Ukraine throughout the conflict. Apparently, she dared to question the cult, though, and that has her now being accused of impeding the war effort, not just by Democrats, but by her own Republican colleagues.
Inside the House GOP Conference, there’s a widespread fear that her posture is damaging U.S.-Ukraine relations at the worst possible time — and that she’s being played by forces that aim to weaken the Western alliance. GOP national-security hawks also worry that the MAGA wing of their party, where there’s already resistance to supporting Ukraine, will point to Spartz’s comments as justification.
They’re concerned that Spartz’s public break from Zelenskyy — and her corruption accusations about his closest aides — could portend future cracks in U.S. support for Ukraine, especially as the midterm elections approach.
To be frank, I’m pretty much sick and tired of hearing about what the establishment, neoconservative GOP is “concerned” about. These are people who have been on the wrong side of nearly every foreign policy issue for decades. Spartz is simply taking a pragmatic approach, wanting there to be a paper trail for all the billions of dollars in weapons systems we are sending to the Ukrainians.
For that, her colleagues are running to Politico to trash her, hiding behind anonymity. It’s gross and cowardly. It’s also nonsensical.
“Her naiveness is hurting our own people,” said a GOP lawmaker who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, granted anonymity to speak candidly about a colleague. “It is not helpful to what we’re trying to do and I’m not sure her facts are accurate … We have vetted these guys.” The Republican warned that Spartz’s comments could “hurt” the war effort.
Asked for comment on Spartz’s remarks, one senior House Republican who was granted anonymity for the same reason offered a blunt reply: “What the fuck.”
I’m confused. Is the point here to be supportive of Ukraine or to give its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, unwavering, unquestioning praise at all times? Personally, I’m not a strong critic of Zelensky, as I believe he’s about the best you are going to get in a corrupt, oligarchic nation, but I find it ridiculous to suggest any criticism of even his staff is somehow out of bounds and is helpful to Russia. How could a single House member’s commentary harm the “war effort”? That doesn’t even make sense.
Besides, last I checked, this is still the United States of America, and Spartz does not serve Ukraine. She has the right and the freedom to call balls and strikes as she sees them. To treat absolute subservience to the Zelensky regime, including zero skepticism of the billions flowing to it, as some kind of loyalty test is absurd.
What’s even dumber at this is that Spartz’s criticism has come from a position of wanting to defeat Russia. Again, she was born in Ukraine and has a strong affection for it. Her concern is that people around Zelensky are putting the nation in peril, ultimately helping Putin accomplish his goals. Spartz also has perfectly legitimate (and evidence-backed) worries that money being sent to Ukraine is ending up in the wrong hands.
Why is that objectionable to the neoconservative right, including Sen. Lindsey Graham? It’s almost as if anything, and I mean anything, that might cost the military-industrial complex a few bucks draws wailing and gnashing of teeth. Well, it’s not “almost as if” because that’s exactly what is happening here. These warmongers learned absolutely nothing from the debacles in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they’ll let you know with a level of arrogance that would make Tom Brady blush.
Spartz has done nothing wrong. She’s anti-Russian and pro-Ukraine, but she’s not a sucker. And if the US intelligence agency is really getting involved, that is yet another indictment against the deep partisan corruption permeating the federal government.
Hopefully, Spartz continues to speak her mind. It’s enjoyable watching her make a bunch of anonymous GOP officials uncomfortable. More importantly, the things she’s saying matter and should be taken seriously.