Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

brooklynite

(94,598 posts)
Mon Feb 26, 2024, 09:03 AM Feb 26

Senate Aide Investigated Over Unofficial Actions in Ukraine

Source: New York Times

A senior Capitol Hill staff member who is a longtime voice on Russia policy is under congressional investigation over his frequent trips to Ukraine’s war zones and providing what he said was $30,000 in sniper gear to its military, documents show.

The staff member, Kyle Parker, is the senior Senate adviser for the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, known as the Helsinki Commission. The commission is led by members of Congress and staffed by congressional aides. It is influential on matters of democracy and security and has been vocal in supporting Ukraine.

A confidential report by the commission’s director and general counsel, which The New York Times reviewed, said that the equipment transfer could make Mr. Parker an unregistered foreign agent. It said that Mr. Parker had traveled Ukraine’s front lines wearing camouflage and Ukrainian military insignia and had hired a Ukrainian official for a U.S. government fellowship over the objections of congressional ethics and security officials.

And it raised the possibility that he was “wittingly or unwittingly being targeted and exploited by a foreign intelligence service,” citing unspecified “counterintelligence issues” that should be referred to the F.B.I.


Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/world/europe/ukraine-senate-aide-investigation.html

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Senate Aide Investigated Over Unofficial Actions in Ukraine (Original Post) brooklynite Feb 26 OP
If he was helping Ukraine, give him a medal Charging Triceratops Feb 26 #1
So let me get this right- James48 Feb 26 #2
UKraine Aid Old Okie Feb 26 #3
The issue is being a government official, rather than an ordinary citizen. brooklynite Feb 26 #4

James48

(4,436 posts)
2. So let me get this right-
Mon Feb 26, 2024, 09:40 AM
Feb 26

If you provide "sniper gear" to Ukraine's military as a private person, you are violating federal law. But if you provide it to them from taxpayers, it's a direct government paid program and it's just fine.

Got it.

Old Okie

(145 posts)
3. UKraine Aid
Mon Feb 26, 2024, 11:59 AM
Feb 26

I thought a lot of Americans were giving aid to Ukraine, buying drones; etc? Are we foreign agents? Who is raising the issue, Putin's fellow travelers in our government?

brooklynite

(94,598 posts)
4. The issue is being a government official, rather than an ordinary citizen.
Mon Feb 26, 2024, 12:01 PM
Feb 26

nb: he's under CONGRESSIONAL investigation, not criminal.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Senate Aide Investigated ...