The Mainstream Media is beginning to acknowledge that support for the Ukrainian regime has significantly waned in several countries, including the United States. This realization became more evident when Poland recently announced that it would no longer provide weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Kiev, which came as a shock to many.
Poland has been a major ally of Ukraine, supplying hundreds of tanks, 14 Mig-29 fighter jets, and acting as a significant transit hub for weapons from other nations. Additionally, Poland has spent billions of Euros on various forms of aid, including the construction of refugee housing, medical supplies, and power generators. However, Warsaw has now declared that it will not extend support to Ukrainian refugees, which includes work permits, free schooling, healthcare access, and other benefits.
Following Poland’s decision, the mainstream media has started to evaluate the new reality. Politico reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been open about his plan to continue pressuring Ukraine until Western resolve breaks. More than 500 days into his aggressive war, Putin now believes that his strategy is working. Countries like Estonia and Slovakia, which have been Ukraine’s strongest allies, have also started to waver in their support due to upcoming elections and concerns over the impact of Ukraine’s potential EU membership.
The dispute between Kiev and Warsaw regarding grain shipments is further rooted in the upcoming electoral cycle. Poland argues that Ukraine’s cheap grain undercuts the production of Polish farmers. Ivan Krastev, the chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies, believes that Ukraine is now bordering Polish elections rather than Poland itself. This situation is likely to occur in many other places, where domestic interests take precedence over the cost for Ukraine.
In addition to Poland, other countries like Estonia and Slovakia are also drifting away from their support for Ukraine. Estonia’s liberal prime minister, Kaja Kallas, faced a scandal involving her husband’s business dealings with Russia while advocating for ending all trade with Moscow. Meanwhile, elections looming in Slovakia could potentially turn the country away from Ukraine support, as the populist former prime minister, Robert Fico, campaigns on a pro-Russian, anti-American platform.
Even in the United States, the support for Ukraine has shifted. CNN reported that the hero worship of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his previous visit to Washington, D.C. is now a distant memory. Zelensky appeared exhausted and unsmiling while making public appearances. The recent impeachment saga and the upcoming general election have further complicated matters for Zelensky, as more Americans become skeptical of aid to Ukraine. Nevertheless, President Biden reaffirmed America’s determination to stand with Ukraine and announced another aid package worth $325 million.
Zelensky’s recent visit to the United Nations also highlighted the challenges he faces. His impassioned speech before the General Assembly received limited attendance, and his meeting with the Security Council underlined its inability to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s aggression. Moreover, during his trip to Capitol Hill, Zelensky’s request to address a joint session of Congress was declined, and he was barred from the chamber’s private meeting room by the beleaguered House speaker, Kevin McCarthy.
Overall, the diminishing support for Ukraine from countries like Poland, Estonia, Slovakia, and the United States indicates a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape. Ukraine’s government must navigate these changing dynamics while facing Russian aggression and a decline in international aid and assistance.
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