US President Joe Biden has called on Congress to stop playing games and vote on a separate aid package for Ukraine as soon as possible. This comes after all new funding for Kiev was dropped from a stopgap bill that averted the government shutdown. Speaking from the White House on Sunday, Biden expressed his expectation that Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy would keep his commitment to secure passage and support needed to help Ukraine.
Biden emphasized the sense of urgency in providing assistance to Ukraine and urged Congress to get the aid package done. He reassured the American people, American allies, and the people of Ukraine that they can count on the United States’ support and that Washington will not walk away from Ukraine.
However, critics argue that there are more pressing priorities for Americans and that there should be stronger safeguards against the misappropriation of funds and supplies sent to Ukraine. Many lawmakers are finding it increasingly difficult to win approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress.
Kevin McCarthy, the House GOP leader, acknowledged his commitment to helping Ukraine but stated that the United States’ own security issues should be a bigger priority for lawmakers. McCarthy highlighted the importance of American border security, stating that more Americans are dying on the border than in Ukraine. He suggested that future financial packages for Ukraine should include provisions to address American border security concerns.
It is worth noting that Washington has already provided Ukraine with at least $46 billion in military supplies alone since the escalation of the conflict, in addition to other forms of financial aid.
Meanwhile, the head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, Aleksey Danilov, called on the West to clarify how long they plan to support Ukraine, as the pledges of “as long as it takes” have not been clearly defined. On the other hand, the European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stated that the EU’s military aid to Ukraine will not be dependent on the decisions taken by the US. He confirmed that Brussels intends to continue and increase its military assistance to the Ukrainian forces.
In conclusion, President Biden has urged Congress to prioritize and vote on a separate aid package for Ukraine. Critics argue that there are more pressing priorities for Americans, while others emphasize the need for stronger safeguards in providing assistance to Ukraine. The US commitment to supporting Ukraine remains uncertain, and the West has been called upon to clarify the duration of their support.
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