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Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. presidents of both major political parties have had their fair share of setbacks, failures, and outright disasters in foreign policy. But few, if any, have been quite as stark as Democrats' mishandling of the situation in Ukraine.

After decades of abuse at the hands of brutal Soviet regimes, Ukraine now stands on the brink of war with Russia, and for the time being, it seems no one is coming to its rescue.

RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES

Although the relationship and history between Russia and Ukraine are complex, the failure of Democratic presidents' leadership, as well as their contributions to the current crisis, couldnt be clearer.

Clinton's Nuclear-Sized Mistake

First, theres President Bill Clintons disastrous decision to support the nuclear disarmament of Ukraine, a choice supported by numerous congressional Democrats then and since.

At the time of the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world. Ukraine controlled some 5,000 nuclear weapons, including, as the New York Times noted in a report earlier this month, "long-range missiles that carried up to 10 thermonuclear warheads, each far stronger than the bomb that leveled Hiroshima."

In 1992, Ukraine signed the Lisbon Protocol, agreeing to return the nuclear weapons it had inherited from the Soviet government back to Russia. But members of the Ukrainian parliament soon thereafter increasingly voiced serious concerns over total nuclear disarmament, in large part due to fears of a future conflict with Russia.

Throughout 1992 and 1993, Russia and the Clinton White House worked furiously to convince Ukraine to give up all of its nuclear weapons. After substantial political pressure, Ukraine caved in 1994, but only after the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom agreed to protect Ukraine in the event of a future attack on the nations sovereignty, as well as financial support and a number of other assurances.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE CRISIS: NIKKI HALEY SAYS BIDEN 'FAILING' IN 'MAJOR LEADERSHIP MOMENT'

Ukraine dismantled and relinquished its nuclear weapons, giving President Clinton and the Russians a diplomatic victory. The decision has haunted Ukraine ever since.

Had Ukraine maintained at least part of its nuclear arsenal, it is highly unlikely Russia would be considering an invasion today.

Broken Promises

The most critical part of Ukraines 1994 agreement to disarm was the pledge by the United States, Russia, and United Kingdom to protect Ukraine against unwarranted aggression. The initial agreement, the so-called Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, was later reaffirmed in 2009 by President Barack Obama.

However, in 2014, Obama watched as Russian-backed rebels, with support from Russian troops, seized control of Crimea, a region belonging to Ukraine. The rebel-backed government then seceded from Ukraine and annexed it to Vladimir Putins government in Russia.

BIDEN'S FOREIGN POLICY DILEMMA IN UKRAINE PROMPTS MEDIA SCRUTINY REMINISCENT OF AFGHANISTAN

The Obama administration, working alongside officials from the European Union, responded by issuing sanctions and freezing Russian assets. They also imposed travel restrictions. Obama did not, though, keep the promise the United States made in 1994 and 2009 to protect the sovereignty of Ukraine.

Of course, Putin didnt flinch, and Crimea has been a part of Russia ever since.

The Big Green Power Vacuum

President Obama and his then-vice president, Joe Biden, were fierce opponents of the fossil-fuel industry for both of Obamas terms. They opposed the Keystone XL pipeline, forced states to adopt "renewable" energy like wind and solar, issued countless regulations that killed hundreds of coal-fired power plants, and restricted drilling and exploration of natural gas on public landspolicies the United States has once again adopted under President Biden.

In addition to having a negative impact on U.S. economic growth, these policies caused numerous nations to turn to Russia for low-cost energy.

Instead of importing fossil fuels from American companies, the European Union has become dependent on Russia, which is now the number-one source of natural gas in Europe, supplying about 41% of the regions supply. Russia is also the largest supplier of crude oil and coal.

Due to the Biden administrations failure in leadership, the United States has never looked weaker.

Because much of Europe now depends on Russian energy, it cant afford to stand up to Russias hostilities in Ukraine or anywhere else, for that matter.

The Trump administration attempted to convince European nations to depend on the United States vast natural gas production instead, but such appeals largely failed because European leaders knew Donald Trump wouldnt be president forever, and that a Democratic administration would swiftly attempt to scale back fossil-fuel development.

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Or, in the words of one energy expert wrote for the National Interest in 2019, "Why bet the proverbial farm on a U.S. [liquified natural gas] supply across the Atlantic if there remains significant doubt as to whether a Democratic successor to Trump particularly as 2020 candidates endorse the so-called Green New Deal with varying degrees of enthusiasm would continue with such plans?"

Afghanistan

Of course, no list of Democratic presidents policy failures would be complete without mentioning Bidens disastrous withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

As a recent report from Republicans on the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs accurately summarized, "The Biden Administration squandered precious time, ignored intelligence and recommendations from people on the ground, and refused bipartisan support to give them the resources to succeed. In the process, the botched withdrawal has tarnished Americas reputation and credibility."

And Ukraine is now paying the price.

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Due to the Biden administrations failure in leadership, the United States has never looked weaker. Putin knows this, of course, and he is using the opportunity to expand his legacy, along with Russias borders.

Republicans have undoubtedly made some foreign policy mistakes in recent decades. But when it comes to the chaos were seeing in Ukraine today, Democrats, especially presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden, deserve the lions share of the blame. The people of Ukraine are suffering as a result of their failures.

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How Democratic presidents Clinton, Obama and Biden caused the crisis in Ukraine - Fox News

A slew of high profile personalities have reacted to Russians invasion of Ukraine.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their support for the Ukrainian people in a new statement posted to their Archewell Foundation website.

Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same, a statement posted to the Archewell website on Thursday read.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched strikes Wednesday against Ukraine, which has reportedly killed at least 40 people, theGrio reported. After the invasion began, Putin said he would demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine, BBC reported. Russia threatened severe consequences if Western countries chose to intervene.

President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering, said President Joe Biden during Thursdays press conference at the White House. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way, Biden continued, adding, The world will hold Russia accountable.

Former President Barack Obama released a statement in which he noted that the consequences of Russias reckless actions will go far beyond Ukraines borders, The Hill reported.

For some time now, we have seen the forces of division and authoritarianism make headway around the world, mounting an assault on the ideals of democracy, rule of law, equality, individual liberty, freedom of expression and worship, and self-determination. Russias invasion of Ukraine shows where these dangerous trends can lead and why they cannot be left unchallenged, he said.

Obama called Russias Illegal attack a violation of international law and the basic principles of human decency.

People of conscience around the world need to loudly and clearly condemn Russias actions and offer support for the Ukrainian people. And every American, regardless of party, should support President Bidens efforts, in coordination with our closest allies, to impose hard-hitting sanctions on Russia sanctions that impose a real price on Russias autocratic elites, Obama wrote.

Meanwhile, leaders have warned of trade and export restrictions and heavy sanctions to come for Putins invasion of Ukraine, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever seen.

The U.S. is stepping up sanctions against Russian oligarchs and banks that hold Russian money, theGrio reported. Other sanctions include cutting off exports to the country. The sanctions go beyond a singular person and extend to the targeted person and their families.

Obama, however, has noted that there could be economic consequences to such sanctions, given Russias significant role in world energy markets, he said.

But thats a price would be willing to pay to take a stand on the side of freedom, Obama continued. For over the long term, we all face a choice, between a world in which might makes right and autocrats are free to impose their will through force, or a world in which free people everywhere have the power to determine their own future.

The unfolding Ukraine crisis has also prompted reactions from celebrities including acclaimed author Stephen King and Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B.

What most of us learned as kids on the playground: You dont stand by while a big kid beats up a little kid, wrote King on Twitter. You might take a punch or two making the big kid stop, but thats the right thing to do.

Cardi B tweeted: Wish these world leaders [would] stop tripping about power and really think about whos really getting affected (citizens) besides the whole world is in a crisis. War, sanctions, invasions should be the last thing these leaders should worry about.

This article contains additional reporting from theGrios White House Correspondent April Ryan.

TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

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Barack Obama, Meghan Markle and more react to Russian invasion of Ukraine - TheGrio

Two groups within mega-donor Charles Koch's political network on Thursday launched a campaign to push lawmakers toward a broad immigration reform bill.

The groups, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and the Libre Initiative, will spend seven figures on digital ads, mailers and local events to call on senators to move forward with immigration legislationpaired with border security measures.

The Koch groups are part of a broader effort of immigration supporters across the political spectrum buoyed by recent polls showing that around three quarters of Americans support allowing many undocumented immigrants to regularize their status.

And a recent poll by Libre found that 93 percent of respondents think Congress should act on immigration and the border.

Politicians in Washington are failing their constituents. Practical immigration fixes would give us a stronger economy, a stronger border, and a stronger America. An overwhelming number of Americans agree, but Congress cares more about fighting than solving problems," said Daniel Garza, president of the Libre Initiative.

"Our call is simple: start by pairing reforms that have broad support and lets start reforming our outdated immigration systems, he added.

Libre and AFP on Wednesday joined in a letter with a coalition of faith, advocacy, business and education leaders, calling on leaders in both houses of Congress to move on immigration reform.

"At no other point in recent history has the need for immigration reform been greater than it is today. Simply put, the system is broken," reads the letter, signed collectively by a group called Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus.

The Koch groups' campaign comes in the wake of President BidenJoe BidenFire breaks out at major nuclear plant in Ukraine amid fighting Russia inflames political war over gas prices, oil drilling On The Money Push to block Russian imports hits wall MORE's State of the Union address, where he laid out an immigration vision that combines permanent legalization for millions of undocumented immigrants, temporary status holders and Dreamers with border security investments.

Among many immigration advocates, the idea of combining border security and immigration reform had fallen out of favor, as attempts at comprehensive immigration reform had crumbled and the Trump administration's laser focus on enforcement and security showcased the dysfunctions of the existing immigration system.

But immigration-centric legislation has stalled in Congress, even as an assortment of bills has passed the House with some bipartisan support.

And a slew of recent polls has consistently shown that large majorities want action on the issue, although Republicans tend to prioritize border security measures and Democrats tend to focus on the immigration system itself.

"Rather than continuing to use immigration as a wedge issue, we urge lawmakers to roll up their sleeves and drive solutions that both tackle these issues and have broad public support. But Congress must do the work to get this done," said Jorge Lima, senior vice president for policy at AFP.

"That is why we are devoting resources and marshaling our activists across the nation to contact their elected officials, share their support and urgency, and drive decisive action on these solutions without delay," added Lima.

This story was updated at 9:17 a.m.

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Exclusive: Koch groups launch ad campaign to promote immigration reform | TheHill - The Hill

Activists remind White House of unfulfilled campaign promises to legalize millions of unauthorized immigrants with roots in the U.S.

by: Julian Resendiz

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) With rallies and emails ahead of the State of the Union address, activists are reminding President Biden of unfulfilled campaign promises to bring about sweeping immigration reforms.

Its clear to us theres a number of things that didnt happen this year. We dont have immigration reform. We have millions of people still abused and persecuted, said Fernando Garcia, executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights. He was referring to the closing of the border to asylum-seekers and lingering Trump-era programs such as Remain in Mexico and Title 42 express expulsions of newly arrived migrants.

The group on Tuesday gathered at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in El Paso carrying signs alluding to the campaign promise of legalizing 11 million unauthorized immigrants who have been in the country for years, many of whom are raising American-born children.

We are disappointed but at the same time were putting pressure for Biden to really provide solutions on immigration and for immigrant families and not keep the policies of deportation and expelling migrants, Garcia said.

The Washington, D.C.-based Americas Voice warned those unfulfilled promises could cost Biden and the Democrats at the polls.

During the remaining months before the 2022 midterms, President Biden and Democrats need to deliver on an immigration breakthrough. Democrats cannot afford to leave votes on the table with a disillusioned base, said Vanesa Cardenas, deputy director of Americas Voice.

She said the Democratic majority in Congress can still enact immigration relief by ignoring the ruling of the Senate parliamentarian of not including immigration provisions on financial legislation such as the Build Back Better Act.

The White House can also provide temporary relief through new Temporary Protected Status designations, she added.

Producing an immigration breakthrough is not only a moral imperative but also a political imperative, Cardenas said, warning that recent polls suggest Democratic base voters are turned off by Bidens failure to deliver promised immigration reforms.

Another group, United We Dream, has scheduled a rally Wednesday outside the White House to demand immigration reform and call for an end to Remain in Mexico and Title 42 expulsions.

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Groups press Biden for immigration reform ahead of State of the Union address - WAVY.com

They dont move because they want to. They move because they have to.

Dr. Arno Vosk recently spoke with staff from the Williamsport Sun-Gazette about his work as a physician examining refugees seeking legal status in the United States.

His stories are heart-wrenching, detailing the suffering of those persecuted around the world.

Jailings, torturings, assaults by gangs and cartels. Attempted beheadings.

Just as appalling as the details of what happens to refugees in their homelands was the word to which he returned, the word he says epitomizes how refugees can get a chance for better life, a chance to enjoy their God-given rights.

Luck.

Vosk described the process of going before an immigration judge for a decision and the unjustified rates at which some of these judges reject applications for asylum.

Luck should not play a role in men and women having liberties our Declaration of Independence says are given by God.

We believe in tougher border security. We believe more physical barriers on our borders are part of the solution. We believe tougher enforcement against employers of illegal immigrants is part of the solution. We believe more staffing for our border patrol and wages and benefits that allow our border patrol to recruit the best candidates is an even bigger part of the solution.

But we also believe that our legal immigration processes are indefensibly broken. That arbitrary quotas and caps have no place in a just immigration system. That is should be simple and affordable for immigrants from poverty-stricken lands to pursue visas and asylum.

And while some politicians have argued these reforms can happen only if illegal immigration is addressed, we at the very least believe legal immigration needs reformed independently of better enforcement against illegal immigration.

And we are increasingly open to the argument that our legal immigration system needs reform before we can reasonably expect the world to respect laws that havent earned their respect.

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Immigration reform needs to be a priority | News, Sports, Jobs - Williamsport Sun-Gazette - Williamsport Sun-Gazette