GlobalWide News
Der Spiegel: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj’s efforts to secure new military aid in Washington were unsuccessful due to Republican opposition in Congress. The Republicans are cynically using Ukraine for election campaigning, hindering the allocation of further U.S. support. Although President Joe Biden has pledged an additional $61 billion, Republican lawmakers are blocking it, demanding Democrats agree to stricter immigration policies in return.
Ukraine has become entangled in American election politics. During a two-day visit to Washington, Zelenskyj met with senators from both parties and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who emphasized domestic priorities over Ukraine’s needs. Even Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, a strong supporter, is now linking U.S. border security to Ukraine aid.
Biden accuses Republicans of holding Ukraine aid hostage to their extreme border policies. He warned that stopping the aid would be akin to giving Putin a significant gift, while also showing a willingness to compromise on immigration issues. The Democrats face pressure due to the influx of refugees at the Mexican border.
Biden’s strategy to combine Ukraine aid with funding for border security, Israel, and Taiwan in a $110 billion security package has yet to succeed. Zelenskyj, relegated to a spectator role in this internal American conflict, received verbal support from both parties but achieved no tangible results. Observers in Washington do not expect a congressional agreement this year.
Support for Ukraine in the U.S. is waning, with a significant portion of voters, especially Republicans and independents, believing the U.S. is giving too much aid to Ukraine. Biden’s assurance of support, expressed during a meeting with Zelenskyj, offers little beyond words at this time.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/wolodymyr-selenskyjs-erfolgloser-besuch-in-washington-fuer-putin-ein-fest-a-6bee286f-7613-4d81-b795-3c08c6cc885d
