Staff Reports
The Biden administration has managed to find a slick little loophole to help out Ukraine, even though those pesky Congress folks are holding up aid like it’s a hot potato. The Department of Justice pulled off what they call a “first of its kind” move, shelling out nearly $500,000 in Russian funds to Estonia for the sole purpose of using it to support Ukraine.
Biden Administration Finds a Way to Send Money to Ukraine https://t.co/u4QmLqRjE4
— THATISABSURDITY.COM (@AuthorofAbsurd) February 18, 2024
So, here’s the scoop: the U.S. got its paws on this money after busting up a shady Russian procurement network that was trying to sneak a high-precision, American-made machine tool into Russia. This tool could be used for some real nasty business in the defense and nuclear sectors, so Uncle Sam said “not on my watch!” And to add a cherry on top, a Latvian citizen involved in the scheme pleaded guilty to breaking U.S. export rules. Stick that in your borscht, Russia!
This isn’t the first time the Justice Department has thrown Russia’s pocket change at Ukraine. Last year, they handed over a cool $5.4 million to the State Department for the Ukrainian war veterans. But here’s the kicker: they can’t just wire the dough straight to Ukraine due to some technicalities. So, Estonia was nominated to babysit the funds, and they’re going to use it to fix up Ukraine’s electrical system that got roughed up by those dastardly Russian forces.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco is all fired up about this move, saying it shows the U.S. and Estonia are not gonna let Putin get his grubby mitts on any more Western tech to use in his little war games. And Secretary General Tõnis Saar of the Estonian Ministry of Justice chimed in, basically saying this should be the new normal when it comes to punishing countries that break the rules. Take that, rule-breakers!
It’s like a real-life game of Robin Hood, folks. The U.S. and Estonia swooping in to snatch ill-gotten gains from the bad guys and hand it over to the good guys. So, here’s to justice, restoration, and giving Putin a run for his money!
