Twenty-five civil society organizations have made a joint statement opposing the Senate’s confirmation of Victoria Nuland, said to be nominated by President-elect Joe Biden for the position of undersecretary of state for political affairs.
Nuland answers questions at State Department, Jan. 20, 2012. (State Department)
Organization’s statement originally published at https://worldbeyondwar.org/
Victoria Nuland, former foreign policy adviser to vice president Dick Cheney, should not be nominated for undersecretary of state [for political affairs], and if nominated should be rejected by the Senate.
Nuland played a key role in facilitating a coup in Ukraine that created a civil war costing 10,000 lives and displacing over a million people. She played a key role in arming Ukraine as well. She advocates radically increased military spending, NATO expansion, hostility toward Russia, and efforts to overthrow the Russian government.
The United States invested $5 billion in shaping Ukrainian politics, including overthrowing a democratically elected president who had refused to join NATO. Then-Assistant Secretary of State Nuland is on video talking about the U.S. investment and on audiotape planning to install Ukraine’s next leader, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who was subsequently installed.
The Maidan protests, at which Nuland handed out cookies to protesters, were violently escalated by neo-Nazis and by snipers who opened fire on police. When Poland, Germany, and France negotiated a deal for the Maidan demands and an early election, neo-Nazis instead attacked the government and took over. The U.S. State Department immediately recognized the coup government, and Arseniy Yatsenyuk was installed as Prime Minister.
Nuland has worked with the openly pro-Nazi Svoboda Party in Ukraine. She was long a leading proponent of arming Ukraine. She was also an advocate for removing from office the prosecutor general of Ukraine, whom then-Vice President Joe Biden pushed the president to remove.
Nuland wrote this past year that “The challenge for the United States in 2021 will be to lead the democracies of the world in crafting a more effective approach to Russia—one that builds on their strengths and puts stress on Putin where he is vulnerable, including among his own citizens.”
She added: “…Moscow should also see that Washington and its allies are taking concrete steps to shore up their security and raise the cost of Russian confrontation and militarization. That includes maintaining robust defense budgets, continuing to modernize U.S. and allied nuclear weapons systems, and deploying new conventional missiles and missile defenses, . . . establish permanent bases along NATO’s eastern border, and increase the pace and visibility of joint training exercises.”
The United States walked out of the ABM Treaty and later the INF Treaty, began putting missiles into Romania and Poland, expanded NATO to Russia’s border, facilitated a coup in Ukraine, began arming Ukraine, and started holding massive war rehearsal exercises in Eastern Europe. But to read Victoria Nuland’s account, Russia is simply an irrationally evil and aggressive force that must be countered by yet more military spending, bases, and hostility. Some U.S. military officials say this demonizing of Russia is all about weapons profits and bureaucratic power, no more fact-based than the Steele Dossier that was given to the FBI by Victoria Nuland.
SIGNED BY:
Alaska Peace Center
Center for Encounter and Active Non-Violence
CODEPINK
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
Greater Brunswick PeaceWorks
Jemez Peacemakers
Knowdrones.com
Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
Nukewatch
Peace Action Maine
PEACEWORKERS
Physicians for Social Responsibility – Kansas City
Progressive Democrats of America
Peace Fresno
Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW!
The Resistance Center for Peace and Justice
RootsAction.org
Veterans For Peace Chapter 001
Veterans For Peace Chapter 63
Veterans For Peace Chapter 113
Veterans For Peace Chapter 115
Veterans For Peace Chapter 132
Wage Peace
World BEYOND War
Many wise comments, thank all for sharing. Is the polarisation being generated, fuelled by misuse of social media, in Nulands home country bringing any good to her own society.
Why exercise the same polarisation and confrontational policy abroad.
Why always point to Russia as the “bad guys”.
Who manipulated Ukraine aiming at closing the pocket around “the bad Russians”, who at the end of the day generally mind their own business.
Isn’t it time to clean out at home – apply resourceful open minded Americans in such positions rather than allow simple disrespectful bullies (f… EU) to interfere in matters and geographies which actually have nothing, and never had anything, to do with USA.
Nuland “f… off “ ;) keep her at home, where any damage she promotes may be contained.
And while at it, strongly regulate misuse of social media – restricting sm their title and to posting positiveness, knowledge and sharing intelligence promoting social rather than stupidifying society.
An appalling choice for any government position, let alone foreign affairs — even without the odious Dick Cheney connection.,
It is deeply alarming that she should even be considered. This is an indication just how insensate Biden is. A disastrous four more years where America goes to Hell in a hand cart and drags down the rest of the world with it.
The “Revolutzarinna” is back, which country is in turn to be destroyed?
It is almost unbelievable that someone like Victoria Nuland can even be considered for such position as this with her record of rightwing policies and actions. Her background is as bad as it gets for any position in the US Public Service.
It reinforces what has been said in this country since the election that the US after the election is the same horse but with a different rider, the Trump to Biden change meaning little in the way of progressive change in any way whatsoever.
And so it will continue. A further step on the road to the end of American empire.
The insidious influence of Israel again rears its ugly head as we have seen already in many of the likely appointments to the chosen Biden positions of influence for another four years. As a Vice President he contributed little to progress. As a President we can expect the same.
I agree with everything in the letter above.
Victoria Nuland Should Be in Jail
This is a perfect expression of the US empire’s expectations and intentions for the future. Talk about deplorable.
“U.S. Empire’s expectations and intentions for the future.” The Project for the New American Century.
Found here : hXXp://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article1665.htm Posted, 02/25/03 Here is the PLAN for the future laid out for you all to see. No secret there, Nuland is part and parcel of that plan and always has been. This is what the U.S. electorate ALLEGEDLY voted for. I hope your all happy, your wish has been granted.
I knew she was bad, but the recent quotes show that she has deteriorated and wants almost immediate war to destroy Russia. It seems the “Democratic Party” has learned nothing and wants to ensure that there is no possibility of peaceful cooperation with other countries which have been,for no rational reason, designated “our enemies”.
Where is the Anti-Defamation League?
Mrs. Nuland-Kagan had been cooperating with neo-Nazis (NEO-NAZIS!) during the 2014 coup d’etat in Kiev.
Again where is the Anti-Defamation League to investigate Nuland-Kagan’s cooperation with the Banderites and self-proclaimed neo-Nazis? If the Jewish community has any scruples about the cost of WWII for humanity, all 52 main Jewish organizations in the US must demand loud and clear that Nuland-Kagan be removed from the position of power and subjected to investigation.
The ADL is on side when the people involved in whatever heinous, barbaric activity projects their will (i.e. the will of the Occupiers of All Palestine)…There is nothing intrinsically non-Jewish about being a fascist (the OAP demonstrates that as clearly as can be). Indeed there were Italian Jews who voted/supported Mussolini and his fascism, at least until the Nazis invaded Italy and turned their focus onto those designated as Jews (not necessarily themselves believers, adherents but more or less culturally so).
And any truly humane organization intent on ensuring that there was NO anti- any group of people would push for BDS, for the return of Palestinian refugees and their descendants to their homeland…would not continue to support the destruction of more Palestinian homes, lives, livelihoods, incarcerate them in Gaza….
I agree that Nuland should be removed from this position. This is a moment when the United States needs to rebuild its relationships with countries dedicated to the growth of peace and democracy, not strengthen relationships with neo-Nazis and foment strife.
While the US is licking its wounds from the mob stampede into the Capitol, Biden profits by such mayhem created by the present madman sitting in the Oval Office. All so perfectly timed for the savior, Joe Biden, to come to the rescue. Following last Wednesday’s desecration of the Capitol, who is going to question good ole Joe Biden’s choices of cabinet secretaries. So many Americans were shocked by the storming of the Capitol. “Here in America?” That conduct was a slither of what America incites throughout the world. Don’t like Nazis, then stop sending weapons to the Ukraine.
More and more I think this is all a joint venture kabuki play. Set all of us against one another while the plutocracy steals the wealth created by working people.
On the Beeb World Service’s ten minute History moment (forgotten the title) this morning (here in the US on NPR) they interestingly raised the fact that back in the 1950s the US Congress was under fire (literal) from a small group of Puerto Ricans (led by a woman, Lolita Lebron) who wanted to return to their Independence from the USA…
They entered the US Capitol (1954) with guns and (from the Gallery in the House) fired those guns into the the members below…five Reps were wounded…and the five Puerto Ricans were imprisoned (Jimmy Carter commuted their sentences)…
So last week’s episode was by no means the first one nor the most dangerous one (for Reps anyway)…
The statement points out that,
“The Maidan protests, at which Nuland handed out cookies to protesters, were violently escalated by neo-Nazis and by snipers who opened fire on police. ”
Anyone ever report on who the snipers were?
Were they CIA-backed? . . . and didn’t they also shoot protesters?
Oliver Stone addresses the sniper issue in his documentary, Ukraine on Fire. Stone gives an excellent account that was banned for US audiences until 2018.
Do a search for “Maidan snipers georgian”
A fair amount of reporting states some of the snipers came forward later and admitted they were Georgian soldiers.
Georgian snipers say they’re willing to testify in Maidan massacre trial
hXXps://theduran.com/georgian-snipers-say-theyre-willing-testify-maidan-massacre-trial/
Thanks to all the poor deluded people who think Trump is the problem, this is what we get.
They’re all problems…Trump, Biden…and all his ‘national security’ appointments. But it truly is amazing how so many of the moderate Dems shouting down Trump for the past four years, rightfully so…will now be found fast asleep on their couches.
Nuland is an advocate of the illegal interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, and she has acted illegally in promoting the overthrow of Ukraine’s legal government while in that country. The sad thing is that Biden (or someone) chose her to be in his cabinet.
In other words…same turd, different flies.
True – though barely different flies…
America has had its fill of hawks for the past 20 years. Time for peace both at home and abroad
Add my name.
Me apunto!!!
“Nothing fundamental will change” … apparently including the existential threat of vicious neo-cons in power like Victoria (I’ll get that feckin’ Rootin’ Tootin’ Putin*** THIS time) Nuland. SHE can bake cookies AND engineer mass murder simultaneously.
———————
*** aka “RTP”©
for us Europeans this is bad news; we try to live in peace with our neighbors, both East, Middle East, South and West. Unfortunately US foreign policy is frequently in conflict with EU interests and creates unnecessary tensions on our borders. The US anti-Russia policy and its influence in our Atlantic partnership is a serious handicap for the development of an independent EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) towards its neighbors.
Tend to agree….am American living in Austria fro 15 years. Dismal to see the US-NATO agression all along the Russian border. Nuland is a person who can only continue to make things bad or worse. However, European governments are a party in the destruction of the Middle East these past twenty years…and of Palestine. The US wields heavy influence, for sure, but there HAS TO BE a way out of this, if European governments (different from the people, e.g. who in places in UK and Italy made their voices heard in opposition to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and were ignored) are going to chart their own course. A bigger, wider peace movement to get people in the streets is needed, instead of constantly focusing on putting band-aids on the refugee problem. An effort to STOP foreign intervention in countries like Syria and Libya needs to become a permanent thing in Europe.
Ummm…Fr and UK (still in EU at the time) joined in Bombing to smithereens Libya (after Qaddafi had given up all efforts at having a nuke or two)….1990s…Serbia – hmmmm well over 40 days on constant round the clock bombing by NATO (all the original EU members, after all)…And where are the huge protests from the EU (pretty much all in NATO now) govts whenever the US/UK etc decide to destroy some other country in the Middle East, North Africa???? I can’t recall one….
Nor can I recall when the EU countries made it abundantly clear that they would not work alongside the US to destroy Iran’s govt/economy, people, or the Yemenis, or Russia or do their best to prevent China from rising above the USA??? Perhaps I’m missing some truly soft, gentle, non-imperialist aspect of the western EU especially????
If you been wrong about everything regarding foreign policy in the last 25 years (Yugoslavia, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Israel, Venezuela, Ukraine, Russia) there is a job for you in the Biden Administration. I’m guessing 1 to 3 new wars with no current ongoing wars ending.
Biden, Pelosi and Schumer, just like Obama, Hillary and their fellow war criminals, are not really opposed to sedition, coups and forced regime changes, just to their own well-deserved extraction from public office by public demand. They will spend fortunes of your tax dollars to accomplish the former elsewhere and twist the truth into a pretzel to prevent the latter here. If you truly love “freedom,” “democracy,” and a comfortable standard of living, you should work to see them universally enjoyed, not just by yourself, your well-connected cronies and your financial patrons. No one but a handful of extreme right sector Ukrainian oligarchs, the American military industrial complex and Joe Biden’s immediate family benefitted from the human carnage and economic disaster that Ms. Nuland set in motion in that country for which she should be punished by society, not rewarded with further license to wreak even more havoc.
Hear, hear!
Yes indeed…and horrific, barbaric with it….I’ve never understood why people, including feminists of the 1970s, anyway, always assume that females are so much more humane, gentler, not Moloch worshiping, therefore whenever females are in politics good things, nice things, true diplomacy – not guns, bombs, torture, destruction – will happen. How many times do we have to witness the opposite to recognize that females after political/monetary/secret agency power are equally as inhuman, barbaric, lacking in any conscience, money grubbing as their male counterparts???
Words fail me !!! My jaw just dropped when I read the headline. However, CN doesn’t tell us where this letter was sent. Please let us know who is going to read this!! Biden? Kamala Harris?, someone in the Senate? Everyone in the Senate? How about people in the House? Nancy Pelosi? or some underling at the current Trump State Department? Please! WHO is going to see this?
Nuland is a terrible choice, not only is she not a Democrat, I think she is a nazi; she certainly has fascistic tendencies, and no mention is made of the right wing monster she is married to. As far as I’m concerned Dick Cheney would be a better choice than this nasty piece of work.
I note that VIPS is not on the signing list – why not???! Are they going to write their own letter (said she hopefully)? Maybe they could add a few other things about the Ukraine affair that this letter left out.
Glenn Greenwald once called her a member of the “Warrior Kagan Family”.
Great. Another recycled warmonger. So much for the fantasy of a “progressive” Biden presidency.
For me the real surprising thing is that anybody is surprised. People are acting as if there is not a several decades long track record of the Demoplican Party starting and conducting imperial wars.
Much Thanks NATHAN !
I remember that name, Victoria Nuland. She said “F*** the EU.” Why would anyone want that person around?
Oh but she represents the all important gender diversity you know. We are expected to applaud loudly.
Don’t stop! While impeaching Trump, impeach Biden too
Hooray for the Biden regime! Let’s re-appoint right-wing, xenophobic, racist, neocon warmongers and even war criminals! Vicki’s neocon hubby must be well pleased.
Might she already be baking her cookies???