In the News
No to War in Ukraine! No to Use of Force!
United States Continues Provocations Against Russia
Protest outside White House, January 27, 2022
President Biden and Congress are continuing their provocations against Russia, in the name of “defending” Ukraine. Biden has put 8,500 troops on heightened alert for deployment to Ukraine and surrounding areas of Eastern Europe. This means they are prepared to deploy within five days. They are part of a 20,000 troop NATO Rapid Deployment force that could also be deployed. Biden commented on January 28 that he will send troops to Eastern Europe “in the near term.” In addition, sanctions have been increased and Biden said he would increase them further, including targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. While many dismissed this, given financial sanctions would not impact Putin, it is also the case that it is a direct threat in conditions where the U.S. is known for its assassinations.
Militarily the U.S. and NATO already have troops, planes and battleships in the region and are increasing use of their spy planes. Multiple types of military planes are being used to listen in on communications signals and gather high-altitude images and other data about Russia. A Reaper drone also went into Crimea January 21.
At the same time, the U.S. Congress is fast-tracking a bill providing $500 million more for weapons. This is on top of the $200 million that has already been allocated, including four shipments of tons of lethal weapons, including hundreds of Lockheed Martin shoulder-fired Javelin anti-tank missiles, launchers and other supplies, already delivered. The bill is being moved directly to the House floor, barring debate, committee hearings, etc. It could be voted on as early as the week of January 31. The bill, along with the many provocations, is a means to block any debate and discourse even in Congress, let alone among the people.
The bill greatly increases weaponry and provides funding for “anti-Russian propaganda and intelligence.” This no doubt means pro-war disinformation and false U.S. claims, as was done in Iraq with weapons of mass destruction, to justify U.S./NATO aggression. The bill also authorizes Biden to impose yet more sanctions. Russian financial institutions, energy producers, and those involved in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project bringing natural gas to Europe, something the U.S. strongly opposes, could also be targeted. The Nord Stream project is a source of tensions between the U.S., Germany and the European Union generally.
The State Department, part of Biden’s executive, has emphasized that anything the U.S. deems to be a “Russian incursion” would be met with “a swift, severe, and united response” from the U.S. and its allies. Following behind the position taken by the U.S., allies are also taking a belligerent and provocative stance. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the deployment of more British forces to the region, including jets, warships and military specialists, is sending “a clear message to the Kremlin — we will not tolerate their destabilizing activity.” This indicates U.S. and NATO forces could act even without an “incursion.” British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, spoke of increased sanctions, saying “we are strengthening our sanctions regime” and will be “introducing new legislation so that we can hit targets including those who are key to the Kremlin’s continuation and the continuation of the Russian regime.” Not only is regime change on the U.S./NATO agenda, but she concluded by saying “nothing is off the table.” This is a common U.S. threat to imply that the use of nuclear weapons is not off the table.
Russia has repeatedly stated that it does not want war and is not planning to send troops into Ukraine. It does have troops on the border. The U.S./NATO forces do as well and have long been maneuvering to encircle Russia.
The U.S.-led imperialists have no means to predict how Russia, China or others may respond, nor how people in the U.S. with their strong anti-war sentiment will respond. The provocations are a means to test the waters and gauge response. It is a highly dangerous war game being played and one rightly being opposed by the peoples in the U.S., Canada, Britain and worldwide.
(TML Daily, posted January 31, 2022)
