Transgender American barred from Ukrainian military
Transgender American Suspended from Ukrainian Military
A transgender American, Junior Sgt. Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, who has been serving as a representative of Ukraine’s armed forces, has been suspended after making comments that were perceived as a threat to Americans who have opposed U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine did not specify the exact comments that led to Ashton-Cirillo’s suspension, but it was mentioned that the comments threatened those who spread Russian “propaganda.”
“Next week, the teeth of the Russian devils will gnash ever harder, and their rabid mouths will foam in uncontrollable frenzy as the world will see a favored Kremlin propagandist pay for their crimes,” Ashton-Cirillo said last week, according to the Daily Mail.
“And this puppet of Putin is only the first. Russia’s war criminal propagandists will all be hunted down, and justice will be served as we in Ukraine are led on this mission by faith in God, liberty, and complete liberation,” he added.
A transgender former US soldier who goes by Sarah Ashton-Cirillo recently moved to Ukraine to become the English-speaking spokesman for the Ukrainian military.
Ashton-Cirillo is now taking to social media threatening to hunt down and kill those who criticize the country’s… pic.twitter.com/X4F8VcL1RG
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 13, 2023
Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio raised concerns about Ashton-Cirillo’s language in a letter to several Biden administration officials.
“In recent days, a video has circulated of an individual who claims to be an English-speaking spokesperson for the Ukrainian military. In the video, this individual, Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, looks directly into the camera and threatens physical violence to anyone who circulates ‘Russian propaganda,'” Vance wrote in his letter.
“I worry American resources could be supporting violence or the threat of violence against people for speaking their mind. Notably, any critic of America’s incoherent policy in Ukraine has been slandered as a propagandist, including multiple presidential candidates and American journalists,” he expressed his concerns.
Vance also questioned if Ashton-Cirillo has U.S. government connections and if he is being compensated using American resources.
According to Newsweek, Ashton-Cirillo responded to Vance’s letter by stating that “the Russian propagandists and war criminals who are spreading lies and pushing false narratives are not journalists, they are information agents and an extension of the Putin-Prigozhin effort to spread chaos and wreak havoc across the globe.”
He also mentioned that his transgender status has made him a target.
“While in Ukraine we are fighting for global liberty and the ideology of victory, too many in Moscow and across the world are still caught up in focusing on the tired trope of gender chaos,” Ashton-Cirillo said.
In a statement to Newsweek, Ashton-Cirillo said, “Like myself, Senator Vance understands the importance of the First Amendment, and defending it is part of upholding an oath.”
On Wednesday, Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces announced the suspension of Ashton-Cirillo.
“The statements of JSgt Ashton-Cirillo in recent days were not approved by the command of the TDF or the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. When conducting military operations against the aggressor, the defense forces of Ukraine strictly observe the norms of international humanitarian law,” the TDF stated in a post.
3/3 The command of the TDF will conduct an official investigation into the circumstances of these statements. Appropriate decisions would be taken.
Sergeant Sarah Ashton-Cirillo will be suspended immediately pending the investigation.— Ukraine Territorial Defense Forces (@TDF_UA) September 20, 2023
Newsweek reported that Ashton-Cirillo initially came to Ukraine as a journalist in March 2022 but later joined the Ukrainian military as a combat medic before assuming the role of a spokesman.
The post Transgender American Suspended from Ukrainian Military appeared first on The Western Journal.
What measures has Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense taken to address the threats made by Junior Sgt. Sarah Ashton-Cirillo and ensure national security?
Nd threats to Ukraine’s national security.” He denied making threats against critics of U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that Junior Sgt. Sarah Ashton-Cirillo has been suspended and an investigation has been launched to determine the nature of his comments and their impact on national security. The Ministry has stated that the suspension is a precautionary measure while the investigation is ongoing.
This incident has raised concerns regarding the role and responsibility of international representatives serving in foreign militaries. Ashton-Cirillo’s position as the English-speaking spokesperson for Ukraine’s military underscored the importance of proper conduct and diplomacy in such roles.
While freedom of speech and expression are fundamental rights, it is essential for representatives of foreign militaries to exercise restraint and diplomacy when making public statements. Their words carry weight and can have serious consequences on international relations, national security, and diplomatic efforts.
In this case, Ashton-Cirillo’s comments appear to have gone beyond merely expressing opinions and veered into making direct threats against individuals and propaganda spreaders. Such language raises concerns about the integrity of the position and the motivation behind Ashton-Cirillo’s actions.
It is important to emphasize that this incident should not sour the perception of all transgender individuals in the military, as their experiences and contributions are diverse. Transgender service members deserve to be treated with respect and equality, just like any other member of the armed forces.
However, incidents like this highlight the need for appropriate training, guidelines, and oversight for foreign military representatives to ensure that their actions and statements align with the values and goals of the host country. It is crucial to maintain trust, transparency, and
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