It was kind of big news when Russian puppet Donald Trump broke with the Obama administration and announced in Dec. 2017 the United States would sell lethal arms to the Ukrainian government, which is engaged in conflict with pro-Russian separatists. The Hill reported at the time that “the move from the White House is a departure from the Obama administration, which frequently condemned Russian aggression in the Ukraine but refused to approve the sale of arms to the country’s Western-aligned government.”
So The Washington Examiner’s Byron York found it odd while going through interview transcripts that witness Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, “top Ukraine guy at NSC,” testified that the Obama administration had transferred “a fairly significant number” of Javelin anti-tank missile systems to Ukraine … at the prompting of Chairman Adam Schiff.
Top Ukraine guy at NSC apparently thought Obama administration had provided Javelins to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Gd1830At3K
— Byron York (@ByronYork) November 9, 2019
Obama never provided lethal military aid to Ukraine
— Brian Cartwright (@blcartwright) November 9, 2019
He did draw a red line or two, though.
Vindman expressing humility: “I’m the director for Ukraine. I’m responsible. I’m the most knowledgeable. I’m the authority for Ukraine. I understand all of the nuances….”
— Jeff Cunningham (@jeffrygc) November 9, 2019
And "The Chairman" who is leading the witness here, that would be … Schiff?
He would know better, he would know that the first Javelin were supplied to UA in 2019. And yet he prompts the witness to say that there was a "prior shipment" … pic.twitter.com/5WnsqvHDzS— Jaap Titulaer (@JaapTitulaer) November 9, 2019
According to this, the Chairman, @RepAdamSchiff didn't know the javelins weren't sent either. Why is he in charge of anything and why wasn't this pointed out before?
— Submariner683 (@Submariner6831) November 9, 2019
Difficult to believe #Vindman would be THAT oblivious (it was surely top of his "priority list") or mentally impaired – not to remember.
Other explanations being so unlikely, it does look like he CHOSE to lie (with a safety-hedge @ not being sure @ timing) to "improve narrative."— Andrey Osiatynski (@AOsiatynski) November 9, 2019
This answer clarifies Vindman's 'in-depth' knowledge of what was and is going on with assistance to Ukraine… Clueless but concerned about @POTUS decisions and foreign policy direction. Don't know what he did in the Army to gain rank but it's clear partisanship was involved
— abram pinchevsky (@PinchevskyAbram) November 9, 2019
Wow, sure hope he corrected his testimony. Obama sent MRE’s & blankets.
— Dawn Comfort (@dawn_comfort) November 9, 2019
They must have been disguised as blankets.
— jerrymiller (@jerrymiller) November 9, 2019
Must’ve confused them with the lethal blankets that were sent.
— stephen parker (@sjboilers2) November 9, 2019
Vinland is correct. Ukraine received a significant number of Javelin brand pillows and blankets.
— Bob Warren (@BleuMnM) November 9, 2019
I don’t think there is a javelin MRE or javelin blanket but I am humble enough to admit I could be completely wrong?
— RUReady4NSA? ?? (@RUUnmasked) November 9, 2019
— Ted Gambogi (@TAGIII) November 9, 2019
But he’s the expert on all things Ukraine.
— Shianne Huston (@wysassygirl) November 9, 2019
He was busy with other stuff.
— Wawasense (@wawasense) November 9, 2019
He had to organize his sock drawer that day.
— Nick See You On Parler (@retrover16) November 9, 2019
This is creepy Schiff’s witness?
— FloraMacMiniz3 (@FMiniz3) November 9, 2019
This is the Democrat “STAR” witness??
???
— DJE?? (@DJE203) November 9, 2019
Remember when we laughed at the final scene of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”?
“We have top men working on it right now.”
“Who?”
“Top….Men….”
Yeah well, this is one of those proverbial Top….Men…
And it ain’t so funny now.— Bob McGovern (@mcgovern_bob) November 9, 2019
How can he not know this?????????? I knew this for Goodness sakes
— Bailey melvin (@bailey_melvin) November 9, 2019
Even my 7 year old daughter knows Obama never released any of the weapons authorized and appropriated by Congress. And she’s only half Ukrainian. https://t.co/HaTYND31Y6
— That Michael Caputo ???? (@MichaelRCaputo) November 9, 2019
He was concerned about a Trump change in US policy toward Ukraine when Trump withheld lethal aid. Except he didn't understand that Obama's policy didn't include lethal aid and Trump's did. He's apparently very confused about all things Ukraine.
— Ride Fast (@RalphWCarpenter) November 9, 2019
Actually, it's an honest mistake. They were AMC, Barry gave them two Hornets and a Gremlin.
— PuppiesandKittens1234 (@PuppiesandK) November 9, 2019
They were assault javelins.
— Kevin Jones (@kjpa) November 9, 2019
Complete clown show these folks are running. Embarrassing
— Hockey is underrated (@HockeyHurricane) November 9, 2019
OK, to be fair, it is possible — possible — Vindman was talking about the previous administration in Ukraine.
He's must be talking about the previous administration of Ukraine. It made a purchase 18 months ago.
— Anders Lindegren (@Lindegren) November 9, 2019
That could be, although the way Schiff phrases the question, it sure sounds like he was talking about our previous administration.
Related:
Brit Hume: Spot the huge fallacy in the Washington Post’s profile of Alexander Vindman https://t.co/6TABgqB8V0
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 3, 2019