Jim Wilmont ;=) 🇺🇦 🟧

RTs represent emphasis, not necessarily approval; Likes are appreciation - humor, good politics & Ukraine/democracy news! + Astronomy/Science! ClassicalMusic!

[Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @AdamKinzinger]

I’m glad there were 18 republicans. Should have been more. But thank you Don. History will record your name well in this

Who was the dem no vote?

[Tymofiy Mylovanov @Mylovanov]

The US House backed a bill sending Ukraine more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid and $8 billion in defense loans — AP.

It also imposes new sanctions on key parts of Russia's economy.

The bill now goes to the Senate. 1/

[Anna_From_Ukraine_Official @AnnaFromUA_YT]

Gasoline crisis in 20 Russian regions, including Moscow & St. Petersburg—no fuel! 🚫⛽ Russians might need horses and donkeys soon 🐴 Ukrainian drones hit refineries. Millions are now against the war. Putin hides—his collapse is coming. Subscribe and share the truth! 🇺🇦🔥

#MakeRussiaSmallAgain #RussiaIsCollapsing #StandWithUkraine #RussiaGasolineCrisis

[VoteVets @votevets]

BREAKING: Rep. Pat Ryan just got the House Armed Services Committee UNANIMOUSLY to force Pete Hegseth to explain every senior military firing within the next 5 days. Hegseth has fired 24+ officers without cause or explanation. Even Republicans want answers.

[Democratic Wins Media @DemocraticWins]

BREAKING: In a powerful moment usurping the Republican majority, Democrats, led by Congressman Greg Meeks, just led a discharge petition and passed legislation continuing funding for aid to Ukraine and new sanctions for Russia. This is amazing.

[Sen. Bernie Sanders @SenSanders]

Trump promised not to “touch” Medicaid.

Now he is cutting it by $1 trillion and taking health care away from patients with cancer, AIDS and other life-threatening diseases to pay for tax breaks to the top 1% and his wealthy campaign contributors.

Unimaginable cruelty.

[Olena Rohoza @OlenaRohoza]

Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a brilliant move—arguably his best in recent times—by writing a letter to Putin. If that letter reaches Putin unedited, it may be the final blow to the old man. Putin lives in a world of illusions created around him: illusions about Zelenskyy, about Ukraine, and about the real situation on the battlefield. Zelenskyy, however, addresses Putin directly, as an adult speaking to another adult—mercilessly, without unnecessary diplomatic wording or softening phrases, sparing neither his pride nor his dark, aging soul. Zelenskyy has become the first person to truly stir the stagnant waters of the Kremlin.

After reading the letter, Putin would realize that every one of his moves, every lie about the war, every fabricated success story about the Russian military and the Russian economy is known in detail in Kyiv and discussed there with laughter. Ukraine is fully aware of Russia’s internal problems, of the shrinking resources available to the state, and of the growing frustration among Russians living in an increasingly restrictive country. Ukrainians know that many Russians oppose a second wave of mobilization. They know about the Kremlin’s plans to expand the war in other directions. They see that the Kremlin can no longer force its people to endure such conditions indefinitely. Putin can no longer buy loyalty the way he once could—because both the money and the political strength are running out.

Zelenskyy understands Putin’s vulnerabilities and strikes them with precision and elegance when he writes that Putin never believed the war would last this long. He never expected Ukraine to launch full-scale resistance from the very first day of the invasion. He never imagined that so many countries would unite against him and in defense of Ukraine, providing weapons, financial support, and political backing. Meanwhile, Russia has spent these years accumulating little more than sanctions and international hostility. And of course, Zelenskyy reminded him of Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mutiny—something Putin is unlikely to appreciate.

Zelenskyy wrote that he understands the Kremlin’s plans for continuing the war for years to come. But Putin does not understand that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are stronger today than ever before. And for every ballistic missile Russia relies upon, Ukraine will eventually find even more missiles and means of response.

The most important part of the letter is the proposal to seek ways to end the war through direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia. At the same time, Zelenskyy rejects the idea of a meeting in Moscow. After 26 years in power, 13 of them spent waging war against Ukraine, there is nothing for Zelenskyy to do in Moscow—just as there is nothing for Putin to do in Kyiv.

“If you personally do not come to the conclusion that this war must end, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence. We will have those who support us. But you will have to fight much harder for your own existence—not Russia’s, but your personal one. And this is not a threat from me or from Ukraine. These are the facts of Russian history, which you know very well: when Russia grows tired, change comes. We can help create that fatigue. You can stop the war. Eternal memory to all who have died.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy

P.S. Friends, be sure to read Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s letter to Putin. You may find genuine aesthetic satisfaction in seeing how one young and intelligent president calmly and dignifiedly put another—old and foolish—president in his place.

©

[Euromaidan Press @EuromaidanPress]

Russia's southern logistics depend on three towns: Chernihivka, Kamianka, Rozivka. Four field armies receive supplies through them. All sit astride a railway.

Ukraine's drone campaign hunts Russian trucks on the deep highways—150 km from the front. The farther back you hit, the bigger and less protected the cargo. "They simply cannot secure all these logistics routes," one Ukrainian officer said.

But the 1 June strike near Chernihivka hit a different layer. The last-mile chokepoint. Trucks have to converge on those three towns to deliver. There's no alternate route for the final kilometers.

1,391 trucks destroyed in three days. Now Ukraine is targeting where they arrive. https://t.co/fKP9gC1NFx

[Rep. Jamie Raskin @RepRaskin]

For the first time since 2024, the House passes bipartisan legislation to send billions of dollars in new security assistance to help our democratic ally Ukraine fight against Putin’s bloody illegal war and imperial aggression. Let’s stand strong for democracy and freedom against the oligarchs and authoritarians.

[Nancy Pelosi @SpeakerPelosi]

By supporting Ukraine, we deter aggression everywhere, combat authoritarianism and reaffirm that the United States does not abandon those who fight for freedom.

While some have been unwilling to stand up to Vladimir Putin, the Congress must.

Tonight, House Democrats did.

[Rohoza (Дев'ятий) Mykhailo 🇺🇦🇱🇹🇨🇦 @Oct7NeverForget]

🇮🇹🇺🇸Rome demands an apology from Trump. Meloni has run out of patience.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly returning to the White House with a disastrous report. His mission to Rome and the Vatican turned into a diplomatic nightmare. Neither personal diplomacy nor his status as a practicing Catholic managed to break through the wall that Trump’s policies have created.
In the Oval Office, Rubio may now have to admit: Rome is no longer an ally Washington can count on “by default.”
✔️ “One of us among strangers”: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly reminded Rubio of his Piedmont roots directly to his face. It was not a compliment — it was a pointed message: he should be pro-European, not an instrument of political pressure.
✔️ Religious divide: Despite Rubio being Catholic, both the Vatican and Rome allegedly gave him a cold reception. Meloni is said to have stated openly that Trump insulted the Catholic world and must publicly retract his remarks about the Pope.
✔️ Ultimatums instead of cooperation: From military base access to proposed 25% tariffs on automobiles, Rubio reportedly received a political “dressing down.” Rome is no longer willing to jump every time Trump whistles.
✔️ The end of illusions: Trump may have hoped to find “his own Orbán” in Meloni — but instead encountered a leader whose patience has snapped. Washington’s dismissive tone toward European allies is no longer being tolerated in Rome.
This marks a serious fracture in relations.
Rubio did not bring agreements — he brought pressure. And as the Pope reportedly said: “Simply forgetting what happened yesterday is no longer enough.”
Europe no longer accepts dictates without resistance.
Now the next move belongs to Washington: public apologies — or a final rupture.

[Rep. Jamie Raskin @RepRaskin]

A bipartisan majority in the House voted to rein in President Trump's lawless, profligate and blood-soaked war in Iran. Only Congress can declare war and no such declaration has been made. This is a win for the powers and the wisdom of the legislative branch.

[Kateryna Lisunova @KaterynaLis]

‼️ Tomorrow around 6:00 PM will be the final vote on the first bill supporting Ukraine since Trump came to power.

REP. GREGORY MEEKS [D-NY5]: The vote we will be taking tomorrow is of historic importance. I'm solidly on the side of America. I'm solidly on the side of Ukraine, and I am solidly on the side of justice.

“The vote we will be taking tomorrow is of historic importance. It is a question of whether we will be able to vote to support Ukraine, punish Russia, and stand for our values. So let me be clear. I always prefer to move important and complex legislation through regular order. I asked for the Ukraine Support Act to be marked up in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. I've asked for simple bipartisan bills on Russia, including some that have passed overwhelmingly in previous Congresses, to move through committee or to the floor. Unfortunately, each and every time I have inquired about moving a bill to address Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, no matter how bipartisan, I have been turned down. Of course, I'm not alone in my frustrations about the inability to move important bills through this Congress. Many members on both sides of the aisle have felt frustrated by the failure of this House to get important legislation across the finish line. This chamber must legislate on the important domestic and foreign policy issues of the day. That is our constitutional duty. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is the largest land war in Europe since World War II. The invasion of a smaller democratic nation by a large authoritarian state is as black and white and pure and simple as it gets. This vote is not a process vote. It's a statement on whether this Congress and all of its members stand with and support Ukraine and the people of Ukraine in its fight for freedom, its fight for democracy, and its fight for liberty. It is also a marker of whether we are against dictatorship, lawlessness, brutality, and the Russia-China no-limits pact. I know where I stand. I'm solidly on the side of America. I'm solidly on the side of Ukraine, and I am solidly on the side of justice.”
@RepGregoryMeeks

[NY AG James @NewYorkStateAG]

My office won another victory in our case against Wayne LaPierre and the NRA.

LaPierre and other NRA leaders broke the law by funneling millions of dollars into their pockets. We're holding them accountable for their rampant corruption. 
https://t.co/1Ueiz5bGfW…

[Tymofiy Mylovanov @Mylovanov]

Hungary is ready to lift its veto on Ukraine's path into the European Union.

That lets Ukraine and Moldova start formal EU membership talks within days, ending years of Hungarian blocking under Viktor Orbán — Politico. 1/

[Marc E. Elias @marceelias]

Justice Sonia Sotomayor blasted the court’s conservative majority for a ruling that “debases the democratic process” by allowing Alabama to use a congressional map that the justices had previously found intentionally discriminated against Black voters. https://t.co/ahoPNpCSNd

[Pete Buttigieg @PeteButtigieg]

Despite being under Republican control, the House just defied President Trump on the Iran war.

No amount of lying or bullying by the White House can make Americans forget we're paying for a senseless war.

Now even some GOP Members of Congress are recognizing they ultimately answer to us - not him. 

Keep up the pressure.

[Senator Dick Durbin @SenatorDurbin]

The people of Ukraine are valiantly fighting to defend their homeland. But $400 million in aid Congress appropriated for Ukraine has been held up in bureaucratic delays.

When Secretary Rubio came before the Senate, I urged him to release this much needed funding

[Olena Rohoza @OlenaRohoza]

Ukraine Unveils New Sniper Rifle Capable of Penetrating Russian Concrete Fortifications

Ukrainian developers have unveiled a promising large-caliber sniper rifle that demonstrates impressive capabilities in penetrating enemy fortifications.

According to military personnel, the new weapon can effectively engage targets behind concrete walls, slabs, and other protective structures widely used by Russian forces. Thanks to its powerful ammunition and specialized design, the rifle is capable of penetrating shelters that were previously considered reliable protection.

"This is exactly the kind of tool our snipers need on the front line," said a representative of the Defense Forces.

The new development has already undergone preliminary testing and received positive feedback from soldiers. The rifle is expected to begin reaching operational units in the near future.

[Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | @ChuckPfarrer]

JUSTICE: A Swedish court just approved the transfer of the shadow fleet vessel Caffa (IMO 9143611) to Ukraine. The ship was accused of hauling stolen Ukrainian grain pillaged from Russian-occupied territories. This is legal accountability for looting occupied land. Precedent set.