• GBU_28@lemm.ee
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      16 days ago

      You think they are venmoing Ukraine?

      The aid is for weapons delivery via 2 paths:

      1. Write off appropriation and backfill of mothballed stock we already needed to rotate out or destroy, due to shelf life

      2. Net new construction of weapons for immediate delivery to Ukraine. That construction happens in the US and us partner nations, and provides the US valuable use Intel as a cherry on top.

      It’s valuable spending either way.

      • bestboyfriendintheworld@sh.itjust.works
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        16 days ago

        There are also direct money transfers and guarantees for loans and other financial instruments.

        As for mothballed weapons, it’s often cheaper to deliver them to Ukraine than to dispose of them.

        • jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de
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          16 days ago

          That, along with Russia not congratulating Trump are the only things giving me some hope Trump might pivot with the right push. “We made an amazing deal, Ukraine will cheaply dispose of our old weapons and punish those filthy ungrateful Russians” would be very much on brand for Trump if you insert a bunch of rambling in the middle.

        • ddplf@szmer.info
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          16 days ago

          Bro they do. Just today I got a message from Zelensky asking me to send him $500 for a tank ticket to Donetsk. Being a patriot I am, I obviously did my part.

      • ravhall@discuss.online
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        16 days ago

        Yes. As much as I support Ukraine, it’s a waste of money at this point. Russia can go forever. We need to spend money here to brace for impact.

        • smokeysnilas@feddit.org
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          16 days ago

          Russia+NKorea surely can’t go longer than US and Europe, look at the numbers in economy, population etc. Even if the US pulls out, Europe on its own would have more than enough resources to outspend Putin. It’s a matter of political will, that’s all. If Europe would be equally commited to Ukraine then Russia wouldn’t stand a chance. So whether it’s a waste of money or not now is a question of whether Europe is willing to properly support Ukraine. I guess you could make the point that it’s about time we finally decide this, but the means surely are there and at our disposal.

          • ravhall@discuss.online
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            16 days ago

            The key point is “if [they] would”

            Europe and the US really don’t want to get involved more than they are. Sure, we can toss them some of our bullets for good measure, but they don’t want boots on the ground.

            Russia really could just throw more people at the problem. They’ll draft the whole country before they give up. Putin is that crazy.

        • CarbonIceDragon@pawb.social
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          16 days ago

          Russia actually can’t go on forever. There’s a reason they’re having to buy bottom of the barrel artillery shells from North Korea of all places. They’ve had gigantic reserves from the cold war to burn through, but they have been burning through it.

          • bestboyfriendintheworld@sh.itjust.works
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            16 days ago

            Russia can still produce their own stuff and have been ramping up production pretty well. The economy still works well overall. Russians now buy more Chinese goods. Russia still exports enough to get by.

            They won’t collapse any time soon. However their offensive capabilities will suffer.

              • ravhall@discuss.online
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                16 days ago

                How could they really get bad for him though? He’s pretty old and has control of everything. He’s kinda just being a dick at this point.

                • CarbonIceDragon@pawb.social
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                  16 days ago

                  I mean his military. If it gets ground down badly enough, him ordering them to keep fighting would be of little consequence, because armies fight with weapons and ammunition and manpower, not just on pure will.

                  • ravhall@discuss.online
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                    16 days ago

                    If he tells them to use butter knives and harsh language, they will. They probably won’t be very effective!

    • Scary le Poo@beehaw.org
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      16 days ago

      Jesus fucking Christ, do you think we are shipping crates of Benjamins to Ukraine?

      Are you really this fucking stupid? Clearly the majority of people in the United States are the dumbest motherfuckers alive, so I just need clarification.

      That money is spent here. The money gets pumped into the US economy.

      We get rid of ancient military equipment, Ukraine gets a boost, and the US economy gets billions of dollars pumped into it

      • ravhall@discuss.online
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        16 days ago

        Mmm no, I’m aware they don’t send money. I certainly never said that. And by spend, I mean on the people, not giving it to weapons manufacturers who definitely aren’t putting that money back into the economy.