Changes

Avakov was one of the organizers of Euro 2012, authorized the formation of a paramilitary force of 12,000 men around the [[neo-Nazi]] hooligans of the "Sect 82" to defend the "[[revolution]]". On May 5, 2014, the [[Azov Battalion]] or "Eastern Corps" was officially formed out of Sect 82 under the command of [[Andriy Biletsky]],<ref>[http://hromadske.ua/posts/my-namahaiemosia-pryity-do-vlady-cherez-vybory-khocha-maiemo-vsiaki-mozhlyvosti-iak-azov-staie-partiieiu "We are trying to come to power through elections, but we have all sorts of possibilities" – as "Azov" becomes party]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180219190018/http://hromadske.ua/posts/my-namahaiemosia-pryity-do-vlady-cherez-vybory-khocha-maiemo-vsiaki-mozhlyvosti-iak-azov-staie-partiieiu, Hromadske.TV (13 October 2016)</ref> known as the "White Führer".<ref>https://www.sott.net/article/465322-Israel-stunned-by-Ukrainian-neo-Nazis</ref>

Avakov was one of the organizers of Euro 2012, authorized the formation of a paramilitary force of 12,000 men around the [[neo-Nazi]] hooligans of the "Sect 82" to defend the "[[revolution]]". On May 5, 2014, the [[Azov Battalion]] or "Eastern Corps" was officially formed out of Sect 82 under the command of [[Andriy Biletsky]],<ref>[http://hromadske.ua/posts/my-namahaiemosia-pryity-do-vlady-cherez-vybory-khocha-maiemo-vsiaki-mozhlyvosti-iak-azov-staie-partiieiu "We are trying to come to power through elections, but we have all sorts of possibilities" – as "Azov" becomes party]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180219190018/http://hromadske.ua/posts/my-namahaiemosia-pryity-do-vlady-cherez-vybory-khocha-maiemo-vsiaki-mozhlyvosti-iak-azov-staie-partiieiu, Hromadske.TV (13 October 2016)</ref> known as the "White Führer".<ref>https://www.sott.net/article/465322-Israel-stunned-by-Ukrainian-neo-Nazis</ref>

In March 2015, Avakov negotiated with the U.S. [[Pentagon]] for military training to be given by U.S. Special Forces to the Azov Regiment as part of Operation Fearless Guardian. Reps. [[John Conyers, Jr.]]  and [[Ted Yoho]] denounced the idea. They argued that arming [[Islamist]]s in [[Afghanistan]] had made possible the formation of [[al-Qaeda]] and the spread of [[terrorism]]. They convinced members of Congress that the [[United States]] could not train neo-Nazis without risking the consequences. The congressmen therefore forbade the Pentagon to pursue and arm the Azov Regiment with rocket launchers ([[MANPAD]]s) during the vote on the defense budget.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023503/https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-3-amendments-rep-conyers-defense-spending-bill-protect</ref>  Some Azov units received the training in [[Canada]].  However, the Pentagon succeeded in having the amendment withdrawn,<ref>https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/congress-has-removed-a-ban-on-funding-neo-nazis-from-its-year-end-spending-bill/</ref> prompting protests from the [[Simon Wiesenthal|Simon Wiesenthal Center]].

In March 2015, Avakov negotiated with the U.S. [[Pentagon]] for military training to be given by U.S. Special Forces to the Azov Regiment as part of Operation Fearless Guardian. Reps. [[John Conyers, Jr.]]  and [[Ted Yoho]] denounced the idea. They argued that arming [[Islamist]]s in [[Afghanistan]] had made possible the formation of [[al-Qaeda]] and the spread of [[terrorism]]. They convinced members of Congress that the [[United States]] could not train neo-Nazis without risking the consequences. The congressmen therefore forbade the Pentagon to pursue and arm the Azov Regiment with rocket launchers ([[MANPAD]]s) during the vote on the defense budget.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023503/https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-3-amendments-rep-conyers-defense-spending-bill-protect</ref>  Alternatively then, some Azov units received [[NATO]] training in [[Canada]].<ref>https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canada-failed-when-it-trained-ukrainian-troops-linked-to-the-far-right-says-nazi-hunter</ref> However, the Pentagon succeeded in having the amendment withdrawn,<ref>https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/congress-has-removed-a-ban-on-funding-neo-nazis-from-its-year-end-spending-bill/</ref> prompting protests from the [[Simon Wiesenthal|Simon Wiesenthal Center]].

==Ukrainian collusion==

==Ukrainian collusion==