Certainly not much evidence that NASA is "falling apart." They've done quite a job with the Mars Curiosity thing (unless of course, you don't believe that has taken place)

Ukraine could have no gas as their main supply is about to be cut off. Gas is what most of the population uses for heating, cooking, and hot water. So I don't know why it would be such a huge surprise to hire a Yale trained lawyer who is an expert on international law. Heck the CEO of one of the largest banks in Russia is an American.