In my final hours at Ramstein as Secretary of Defense, I mourn for every Ukrainian person killed in Putin’s murderous war. I salute the Ukrainian troops who are fighting so bravely for their country and their freedom.
It appears that Putin gave Fico the order to open the second energy front against Ukraine at the expense of the Slovak people’s interests. Fico's threats to cut off Ukraine's emergency power supply this winter while Russia attacks our power plants and energy grid can only be explained by this.
The only reasons Ukraine now needs to import electricity are Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and its use of missiles and "Shahed" drones to purposefully destroy a large portion of Ukraine's heat and hydroelectric power generation.
Thanks to the heroic efforts of our energy workers and the life-saving cooperation with the EU, the U.S., the UK, Norway, Japan, and other partners we have managed to prevent a blackout in Ukraine. And now Fico is dragging Slovakia into Russia's attempts to cause more suffering for Ukrainians.
We need to remind Fico of three things.
First and foremost, supporting Russian aggression is completely immoral.
Second, Fico's shortsighted policy has already deprived the Slovak people of compensation for losing Russian gas transit. It now risks depriving the Slovaks of another $200 million per year, which Ukraine pays for the imported electricity. Yes, this critical import does not come free, and the cost is significant.
Third, everyone in Europe, including the people of Slovakia, will find it much more profitable from every perspective to work with neighbours and the EU to increase Europe's energy resource supply, including gas from America and other partners. Only this can reduce energy costs for the majority of families.
Slovakia's share of Ukraine's electricity imports is roughly 19%. The government of Ukraine is working with our EU neighbours to sustain the required volumes of electricity supply.
Slovakia is part of the single European energy market and Fico must respect common European rules. Any arbitrary decisions in Bratislava or Moscow's orders to Fico regarding electricity cannot cut Ukraine's power supply, but they can certainly cut current Slovak authorities' ties to the European community.
Our cities and communities endure constant terrorist attacks. Every day, the defenders of our skies fight back against Russian terror.
In just the past week alone, Russia has launched nearly 500 guided aerial bombs, over 400 attack drones, and almost 20 missiles of various types against Ukraine.
This daily terror and ongoing war can no longer be seen as the problem of a single nation. It requires joint action from all who value life—in Europe, America, and around the world. Only together can we achieve a just peace.
@TaraSetmayer Beyond all reason, it’s the season for their treason. I mourn the demise of democracy worldwide. It does matter and even helps to know that you see it too. That there are genuine patriots still fighting the good fight. Thank you.
Four years ago, we faced unprecedented crises. President Biden understood the magnitude of the challenge and used the tools of government to meet the moment—including an infrastructure package that is transforming our nation. It will be remembered as this century's Big Deal.
Chancellor Scholz told me that he planned to call Putin. His call, in my opinion, opens Pandora's Box. There may now be other conversations and phone calls. Just a lot of words.
And this is exactly what Putin has long sought. It is critical for him to weaken his isolation, as well as Russia's isolation, and to hold mere talks that will lead nowhere. He has been doing this for decades.
This has allowed Russia to avoid making any changes to its policies, effectively doing nothing, which has ultimately led to this war. We understand all the current challenges and we know what to do. And we want to make it clear: there will be no “Minsk-3”; we need real peace.
Trump calls Kelly a "total degenerate," and "dumb."
Not only was he Trump's longest-serving chief-of-staff but also his first Secretary of Homeland Security.
Pretty big jobs, to which Trump entrusted this four-star Marine general he now calls a dumb degenerate.
Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! Today and every day, we honor Native American communities.
I especially want to uplift the Gabrielino/Tongva people, whose presence in the Los Angeles Basin & Southern Channel Islands spans thousands of years and is a vital part of our heritage.
The last time I saw John talk about a storm like this, he was begging Puerto Ricans to get out of the way of a Category 4 named Maria. https://t.co/uZkaNSTd6v
America owes Joe and Jill Biden a debt of gratitude for putting the country over themselves, stopping Trump from being our next president, and restoring the heart and soul of our nation. America, thanks you and we will never forget your sacrifice! Drop a like if you agree! 💙
It’s been an incredibly emotional few days after losing my beloved Tiki.
But the work to win this election and save our democracy from the ilk of Trump must go on.
I can’t let the pain debilitate me, so I’m BACK!
Ladies, (especially the childless cat ones like me)…Let’s win this!
Tiki wouldn’t have it any other way! 😽
Help support @senecaprojectus in this fight!
@TaraSetmayer May your memories of Tiki be a blessing as you grieve and be with you always as he was in life. Your post moved me to tears. I've know this profound loss several times now and it never gets easier. Love & Light to you and yours - Joël
As a traveler, I'm both a proud American and a citizen of the world — and I've got a few thoughts on this coming election.
This election is deeper than partisanship. It's far more than Republican versus Democrat. In the future, big challenges like pandemics, refugees, and climate change will be blind to borders. They'll be everyone's problem and only solved by working together as a family of nations.
The world needs not American isolation, but American leadership. Not the chaos of Trump, but the stability of @KamalaHarris.
Of course, how you vote is your choice. But if you believe, as I do, in the importance of nations working together constructively, the stakes are really high...and the best candidate is clear. Register to vote today at https://t.co/ghTvEdFIEP — and encourage your travelin’ friends to do the same!
Michael Douglas is in Kyiv🇺🇦
The legendary actor visited the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, organized by @ZelenskaUA
Michael was moved by what he saw here, and recorded a message of support. Being the true gentleman that he is, he made a donation via U24
Thank you❤️
VP Harris balanced. Intelligent. Cool headed. Excellent command of facts. Personal energy. Forward thinking. —- Trump filled with anger. Fantasy facts. A name caller. In denial about the election he lost. Threatening. Anger filled his rhetoric. Old.