The new reality show in Washington, D.C., should be called “Keeping Up with the Ukrainians.”
The shared understanding among the permanent, political chattering class in D.C. is that they should piously pontificate on this war long enough to see if Ukraine is going to win. Then they can take credit for the win or blame the loss on the other party in the (more likely) outcome that Ukraine will lose. Most politicians make their careers waiting for a parade to begin; if it is determined that it is a good one, they jump out in front of the parade and pretend they lead it.
Joe Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine this week. Well, technically these days everything is a surprise to Joe Biden. Perhaps he was visiting the country’s oligarchs. They boast the largest Hunter Biden art collection in the world, curated over the last few years by gold chain-wearing thugs in Fila jogging suits.
But he did go there to fire up the troops as only Jumpin’ Joe Biden can. In a rambling speech Biden reminded us of the ongoing battle (not just his versus the English language). There is nothing scarier to 19-year-old U.S. soldiers than an 80-year-old man suddenly willing to die for the future of a corrupt country which has been his family’s honey hole for 15 years.
Biden hit it off with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who controls the media in Ukraine, has closed churches and banned rival parties, has wealthy oligarchs doing his bidding, and says his policies keep democracy secure in Ukraine. So, as you might imagine, Biden admires his work.