September, Friday 20, 2024

Biden reconfirms commitment to support Ukraine despite financial challenges


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President Joe Biden has assured Ukraine of continued support from the United States, despite a congressional budget deal that excluded further military funding. The temporary measure, enacted to prevent a government shutdown, omitted $6 billion in military aid for Kyiv—a matter of high priority for the White House. Hardline Republicans, who oppose President Biden's approach to the conflict, openly voiced their objections to providing additional military assistance. In response, President Biden emphasized the significance of further funding for Ukraine, stating that interrupting American support was unacceptable. He expressed confidence in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's commitment to ensuring the passage of necessary aid during this critical moment. Since Russia's extensive invasion in February 2022, the US has already supplied $46 billion in military aid to Ukraine, with President Biden requesting an additional $24 billion. As Kyiv's forces continue a gradual counter-offensive in the southern part of the country, the US has sent advanced equipment, including long-range missiles and Abrams tanks, to Ukraine. However, the temporary budget agreement passed on Saturday, which funds the US government for 45 days, excluded ongoing military funding. Despite this setback, senior Senate leaders from both parties released a joint statement affirming their intention to guarantee continued US support for Ukraine in the weeks ahead. Nevertheless, the decision to withhold military aid reflects the increasing opposition from hard-right Republicans in the House of Representatives towards the war in recent months. With Republicans in control of the House and Democrats holding a narrow majority in the Senate, both chambers must approve budget legislation before it becomes law. Republican congressman Matt Gaetz stated that funding already approved by the Congress was sufficient or excessive. Meanwhile, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor-Green argued that Ukraine had already received more aid than necessary, asserting that it should not be considered the 51st state of the US. Democratic Party senators strongly objected to this stance, with Senator Mark Warner expressing disbelief that support for Ukraine could be abandoned in its time of need. Despite the ongoing dispute, officials in Kyiv have depicted the new 45-day funding agreement as an "opportunity" for Ukrainian diplomats to secure long-term support, although it is viewed more as an unwelcome deadline. Ukraine's foreign ministry has stated that while the "flow of US aid won't change," the suspension of funding may affect ongoing programs, though $3 billion of humanitarian and military support is still expected to arrive. Ukrainian MP Oleksi Goncharenko acknowledged that the halted funding had raised concerns in Kyiv, describing the US Congress vote as alarming. He suggested that it was not just a cause for worry in Ukraine but for Europe as well. This political uncertainty is one of several indicators of Western fatigue, highlighted by growing skepticism among some Republicans and a recent electoral victory for a populist, pro-Moscow party in Slovakia, which is of concern to both Ukraine and the European Union. In an interview with the BBC in Kyiv, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, expressed concern regarding the latest decision on funding for Ukraine made by the US Congress. He stated that he did not know what the future held but emphasized that Russia's war against Ukraine was viewed by Europeans as an existential threat that necessitated a corresponding response. President Zelensky, in his daily address from Kyiv, asserted that no one would be able to diminish Ukraine's resilience. It is evident that the country is determined to continue fighting, with or without assistance from the West, as Ukraine is well aware of its overwhelming preference.