Ukraine, Seeking U.S. Missiles, Halted Cooperation With Mueller Investigation

[DonViejo]

Source: The New York Times




By ANDREW E. KRAMERMAY 2, 2018

KIEV, Ukraine — In the United States, Paul J. Manafort is facing prosecution on charges of money laundering and financial fraud stemming from his decade of work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine.

But in Ukraine, where officials are wary of offending President Trump, four meandering cases that involve Mr. Manafort, Mr. Trump’s former campaign chairman, have been effectively frozen by Ukraine’s chief prosecutor.

The cases are just too sensitive for a government deeply reliant on United States financial and military aid, and keenly aware of Mr. Trump’s distaste for the investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, into possible collusion between Russia and his campaign, some lawmakers say.

The decision to halt the investigations by an anticorruption prosecutor was handed down at a delicate moment for Ukraine, as the Trump administration was finalizing plans to sell the country sophisticated anti-tank missiles, called Javelins.



Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/world/europe/ukraine-mueller-manafort-missiles.html

[Tobin S.]

1. Another example of integrity being sacrificed to defense contractors and the mighty dollar.

Ukraine's main enemy, and who they are fighting right now, is Russia. Some people will do anything for a buck. It seems that in the upper eschelon of power the only loyalty is to wealth. Sean Hannity once described money as his life's blood.

[erronis]

2. And since the main enemy - Putin/Russia - is also Trump's master, it just seems "diplomatic"

I've studied a fair amount of history and am fairly knowledgeable about current affairs (well the last 50 or so years). I have never seen anything like how the meddling by oligarchs, plutocrats, and foreign devils with a weak impotent leader can cause so many problems.

Of course, many regimes over the years have had problems with inbreeding and other genetic/environmental effects. This seems like the effects are caused by changing the fabric of society. Warping reality for many.

[jpak]

3. Subpoena all DOD and State Dept. communications on this

Obstruction.

yup

[Ilsa]

4. Rachel Maddow covered this tonight.

I can understand Ukraine prioritizing acquiring defensive weapons to keep Putin at bay. But as Rachel said, did someone in the trump administration encourage them to spike their investigation or they wouldn't get the weapons?

[truthisfreedom]

5. Pure corruption at the highest level. It literally cannot be dirtier.

Definition of a totally corrupt administration, putting personal benefit ahead of country.

[highplainsdem]

6. K&R. So much news yesterday that this didn't get enough attention.