During a government meeting on Friday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko made a claim that the United States had given the go-ahead to its partners to “dump” Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, as he had become a nuisance. Lukashenko cited the ongoing grain dispute between Poland and Ukraine as an example of this new policy, noting that Warsaw had been one of Zelensky’s staunchest supporters but is now sharply critical of its partner.
The grain dispute began after Poland, along with Hungary and Slovakia, unilaterally banned the import of Ukrainian grain despite the European Union (EU) having lifted its bloc-wide embargo. In response, Ukraine filed disputes against the three countries with the World Trade Organization.
Lukashenko argued that Poland’s pressure on Ukraine was not without reason, as it had the go-ahead from overseas. He suggested that the US, due to its upcoming presidential election, was tired of Zelensky and did not believe anyone would care about him. This assertion by Lukashenko implies that Poland’s actions were influenced by the US.
Contrary to Lukashenko’s claim, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed Washington’s support for Zelensky during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He announced that US-made Abrams tanks would be sent to Ukraine the following week, emphasizing that the US would stick with Zelensky.
Zelensky, who was on his second wartime visit to Washington, stressed that Ukraine’s fight against Russia relied on sustained US military assistance. He reportedly warned that if Ukraine did not receive the aid, it would ultimately lose the war. This statement highlights the importance of US support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.
The Biden administration has already spent $115 billion on military and financial aid to Kiev. They recently requested an additional $24 billion to be approved by the end of the month. However, a growing number of lawmakers, primarily from the Republican Party, have started to oppose the financing of the Zelensky government with US taxpayer money.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri argued that the US should cease pouring endless amounts of money into Ukraine, particularly since Kiev has not made significant territorial gains despite their much-touted summer counteroffensive. Hawley proposed conducting an audit of the billions that have already been paid to Ukraine and suggested that Germany and other European allies should step up and aid Kiev.
In conclusion, Lukashenko’s claim that the United States had given Poland the go-ahead to “dump” Zelensky highlights the complexity of geopolitical alliances and interests in the region. The ongoing grain dispute between Poland and Ukraine reflects the changing dynamics of support for Zelensky. However, President Biden’s reassurance of US support for Ukraine counters Lukashenko’s assertions. The debate over continued financial aid to Ukraine continues to divide lawmakers in the United States, with some questioning its efficacy and calling for greater burden-sharing among European allies.
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