President Biden — and those in his cabinet — have Ukraine on the brain. In fact, far-left leaders have been ‘obsessed’ with Ukraine since the Obama years, Glenn explains. But back in 2014, Ukraine was considered to be a corrupt nation that needed our help rooting out the deceit (at least, that’s what they told us). But now, Congress continues to funnel hundreds of MILLIONS of dollars to Ukraine, with practically no oversight to how it’s being spent. Why are we writing them what seems to be a blank check? Is Ukraine still corrupt? Is President Zelenksyy an honest leader? It’s time for ANSWERS. In this clip, Glenn discusses all those questions, plus he’s joined by Rep. Spartz — who is from Ukraine — to give her thoughts as well…
Transcript
Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors
GLENN: Biden and the people surrounding him in his cabinet, have Ukraine on the brain. Since at least Obama's second term. They're obsessed with Ukraine. I think Ukraine is a giant cash cow for those who are corrupt. Back in 2014, Ukraine was in need of some good old-fashioned United States savings. And Ukrainians were rebelling against the Russians. The Russian-aligned government, all on their own. But Obama and Biden were experiencing a major case of fear of missing out. So they just had to get involved. And so we did. And it drew everyone in the U.S. State Department, national security apparatus, and even George Soros to Ukraine. You see, back then, Ukraine was considered corrupt. Their leers, corrupt. The oligarchs, corrupt. Ultra, mega corrupt. So naturally Joe Biden's son jumps right into bed with them. And the media and political elite find no issues with this whatsoever. Sure, it's a corrupt country. I mean, Obama and Biden's stated goal was to root that corruption out, between the government and the oligarchs. But the vice president's son, going to work for Burisma was just fine. Nothing to see here. For over a decade, the story from western governments, has been that Ukraine is a corrupt government. And we can save them. But up until February 2022, it hadn't been resolved yet. Now, speaking about not being resolved. Did we ever hear. The $1.8 billion, that went missing in the bowels of PrivatBank? That was our money, by the way. Our tax dollars. Did anybody in the mainstream media, nail that down? Did Congress? I ask this question, because congress has now greenlit $54 billion in taxpayer funding to Ukraine, to fight out the Russians -- and what was it? 8 billion already was sent. And then on Friday, they announced another 270 million. Let's just put it into perspective. That's a lot of money! Where is it all going? Why are we writing them a blank check? Can we at least get a final verdict on whether the Ukrainian government is corrupt. I think I speak for the majority of the country, when I say the Biden administration's signals are a little bit mixed up here. We're a bit confused. Wasn't corruption the main focus of our health back in 2014. Isn't that why George Soros swooped in, and now everything's okay? They couldn't keep track of 1.8 billion, and we give them 60 billion? Let me ask you this: I find it interesting, that president Zelinsky recently revoked the citizenship of the Ukrainian oligarch, Kolomoisky. When Biden was VP, Kolomoisky was the principal holder of both Burisma, which his son worked for, and PrivatBank. The one that lost the 1.8 billion. Now, he had previously been on a U.S. Visa ban, over his involvement with the hired thugs, that actually used chainsaws to behead people. But Biden made sure he had his Visa ban lifted so he could come to the United States. And it gets more interesting. As if this is the time that both Biden and John Kerry were lobbying for a 1.8 billion aid package to Ukraine. That aid money went to Kolomoisky's PrivatBank, and then disappeared. Allegedly, it was channeled into a money laundering scheme, through a bank in Cypress. And then went to various shell companies. Now he's also the governor of eastern Ukraine. Funding a near private war, between Ukrainian militias and Russia's. Now, whether he's doing that with his money or someone else's, is unknown. Oh, by the way, Kolomoisky, his money is the big reason why Zelinsky got elected. But now that Biden is in office, Zelinsky has revoked the citizenship of his previous friend. Is there any chance that we will find out later, that Joe Biden lobbied for this to happen? If anyone has the receipts on Burisma, PrivatBank, the missing 1.8 billion, and what's going on with this private war between Ukraine and Russia. Kolomoisky would have them. And it's really weird, that now, his citizenship of Ukraine, has been revoked. We want to talk to congresswoman Victoria sparks. She's from Indiana. Hello, congresswoman, how are you?
VICTORIA: Good, how are you?
GLENN: Good. Now, you're from Ukraine. You became a citizen in the year 2000. And you're concerned -- you're concerned about the money we're sending over there.
VICTORIA: Well, let me tell you, and I appreciate actually, became a citizen in 2006. It took me six years, because it's not as fast when you come here illegally. So I came here in 2000. But it takes you a while to become a citizen. But let me tell you. And I might have a little bit different perspective. But I want to separate Ukrainian government from Ukrainian people, and actually army, and die in the trenches. You know, they've been trying to restore freedoms in that country. And fought -- had two revolutions. And they fight this war. And really, want to have freedom. So when I go there and talk to the people. When I talk to the young boys dying on the front lines. You know, it breaks my heart to see how we're mismanaging the situation. And allow them to die, without proper oversight of the government. Because I think it's important for the country like that, to hold governments accountable. And we have to differentiate that. We have very -- Americans. Our government, with much to be desired. So it's not only representation unfortunately for the people. But I think for me to see that. And actually at what Biden is doing. It seems to me, and the money you mentioned, don't go directly to Ukraine. Because there are a lot of things around that. But how he's doing in health -- how he's not overseeing it. It's actually, he's mismanaging Ukraine. And it's either his incompetency on purpose, to allow Russia to advance significantly. It was really concerning for me, when I went to Ukraine, to see, you know, how much power and the people around Zelinsky were able to consolidate his power grab. You know, and we're talking about Kolomoisky and these oligarchs. But if you know the part of that. They actually took citizenship. Not due process or executive order had stolen the border. Someone who is actually in charge of territorial defense of a major city. You know, right in Eastern Ukraine. And the person had nothing to do. He was just lucky enough to meet for half an hour with me. They almost detained from Ukrainian parliament to try to leave the country to believe to the US. Because they weren't going to meet with the U.S. legislature. So this amount of power, and abuse of power, in concentration, it's very dangerous for the country. A country which doesn't have check and balances. Where a judicial prosecutorial branch is controlled by presidents and people around him. A lot of Russian infiltration. A lot of different problems.
So I think this is a valid concern. And a question now, decided to witch hunt, against some Ukrainians that had nothing to do, you know, innocents, because the issues I was bringing up, they actually were brought up by our military people during my (inaudible), and they were brought up by some U.S. companies doing business in Europe, and actually doing business in defense industry. And they have some concern. And it's interesting. Because there's some issues that I didn't want to bring up. Because I know it was reported to the FBI. But it was brought up recently. You know, in Ukrainian newspapers, where this guy, his remakers as I mentioned, his father. At a point, the minister of defense. You know, created a monopoly. Had corporations with Iran and Afghanistan. You know, and sabotaged some of the purchase of the weapons. And had a very interesting connection to Russia, and imported.
So I think it's very dangerous for us, not to deal with properly managed situations. Because if we turn to Ukraine, and not Afghanistan, it's very dangerous for our national security too. Because Ukraine has a lot of critical resources. It's not a small country. And it's -- and it could be dangerous for all of us. And it's been escalating, and I think that's by this administration.
GLENN: All right. So, congresswoman, I'm not sure if we're on the same page. I really like the people of Ukraine. I have a soft spot for what they've done in the past, on fighting Russia. I feel horrible about the people who have lost their lives, and the women and children. And, you know, we have a team over there, that is rescuing children. And trying to get them safe -- to safety, and not be trafficked. But I -- I just -- I just think this is a convenient little war. I -- I -- why, for instance, did Zelinsky get rid of Kolomoisky. Why did he revoke his citizenship? I mean, it just seems convenient, if you were looking to make sure that -- that nobody -- nobody was around to tell about the dirty things that you were doing. Why is it that president Zelinsky was against gay marriage, because he -- you know, it's a different country, with different standards. He was against it, and yet, during the war now, they pass a law to -- for gay marriage. And that seems to me, like American pressure, being exerted at the worst possible time. Because we gave them money.
VICTORIA: Well, not that. But I wish American pressure would be exerted in a way how they can improve the logistics. How they can improve oversight. And ensure that they can be accountable to American people, instead of blame politics and blame the agenda, that is unfortunately, very radical in this country. And I think they blame politics, instead of the managing processes and governments. Governments like Ukraine and governments like Afghanistan. They have to be forced to provide transparency to our people. If you don't, you will have another Afghanistan. But unfortunately, they haven't been doing that. But doing other things, that are very not productive for them to fight and win that war. And I think this is our responsibility of Congress, to put pressure. You know, just because, this is going to be a major problem for us, if we don't de-escalate situations. But also, we have accountability to our people. And to Ukrainian people. They're dying there.
GLENN: So -- is Zelinsky a good guy or a bad guy? Or is the answer to that yes.
VICTORIA: I think we know -- they have to -- I don't look at people as good or bad. I actually have a very low, in regards to all politicians in general. It's not about that. Every president should have accountability. Every president should be watched. But the amount of power right now, Ukrainian government is accumulating. And power grab, and abuse of power, where they actually decide, who can enter the border. Who can exit with proper due process. In using the war to consolidate media and control prosecutorial judicial -- it's very dangerous. And, you know, he needs to be responsible. That he put people, and his chief of staff, is becoming a dictator in that country. The president Zelinsky needs to take responsibility. And explain what's happening there. I know he's busy doing external things. And dealing with his leers in Europe and here. But he's still our president. And he needs to be responsible. And tell us what happened and why, this amount of abuse -- that's not what Ukrainian people are fighting for. To have another dictator. That's not what they want. And I think that's very not productive.
GLENN: I really appreciate it. This is Congresswoman Victoria Spartz, and she has been very outspoken. And because of it, she's gotten heat from the left and the right. But intellectual debate is necessary, to be able to be a free country. And I appreciate you speaking out. Thank you so much.
VICTORIA: Thank you so much. It's never easy to do the right thing, but it's worth it.
GLENN: Yes, it is. God bless you.