Three US congressmen, J. French Hill, Stephen Lynch, and Mike Quigley, recently visited Kiev to meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. During the meeting, Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support that Ukraine has received from the United States. He stated that the support from both the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as the current administration under President Joseph Biden, sends a powerful message to the world about the importance of freedom and democracy.
The congressmen assured Zelensky of bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, with Hill emphasizing the commitment to continue funding aid to Ukraine. However, Hill also highlighted that the US now faces the challenge of providing assistance to Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Lynch echoed Hill’s sentiment, stating that Ukraine’s fight is also the US’s fight, and Congress will continue to support Ukraine.
Quigley, a strong advocate for Ukraine, urged Zelensky to present additional arguments for economic and humanitarian aid, in addition to military assistance. He emphasized the US’s interest in helping Ukraine become more self-sufficient in terms of ammunition supply. However, it was unclear what specific measures Quigley had in mind, considering Ukraine’s current dependence on Western deliveries of weapons and ammunition.
The article mentions that Biden has requested $64 billion in funding for Ukraine from Congress, which is included in the $104 billion bill that also includes aid for Israel. The White House recently changed its messaging strategy, framing the aid to Ukraine as beneficial to the American economy and job creation.
Despite the significant amount of military aid allocated to Ukraine, NBC News reported that most of the funding has gone to US military contractors, without resulting in more American jobs or industrial production. This raises questions about the actual impact of the aid on the US economy.
Zelensky, during his visit to the US last month, emphasized the critical role of American aid for Ukraine. He warned that if the aid were to dry up, Ukraine would be at a significant disadvantage. Time Magazine also reported that Ukraine has suffered significant casualties in the conflict with Russia, to the point where it is becoming challenging for Ukraine to effectively utilize the weapons and ammunition provided.
In conclusion, the visit of the US congressmen to Kiev reaffirmed the American support for Ukraine. While Ukraine expressed its gratitude for the assistance it has received, the congressmen also highlighted the need for American attention towards the conflict in Israel. The discussion centered around the importance of economic and humanitarian aid, in addition to military assistance, to help Ukraine become more self-sufficient. The article also shed light on the challenges and criticisms surrounding the allocation of military aid and its impact on the US economy.
Source link
