Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prayed to US lawmakers to approve USD 60 billion aid extremely necessary for their country’s war efforts, but the Ukrainian leader left Washington DC capital without receiving any clear commitment in the context of international aid for Eastern European nations increasingly exhausted and the conflict with Russia was about to enter the third year.
Support in possible capabilities
Zelensky’s visit to the US ended on 12/12 after his meeting with President Joe Biden and later the legislators on Capitol hill. At the Oval Office in the White House, Mr. Zelensky heard Mr. Biden speak with a clear change in the tone.
The US president has long committed to supporting Ukraine “as long as necessary”. But on 12/12, Mr. Biden announced that his government would support Ukraine “as long as we could” when the previous allocated funding would be really exhausted by the end of this year – a time now only in the day.
This comment shows a delicate and noticeable change in the US President’s public message, and can show Mr. Biden’s more realistic view of the future of Ukraine aid.
Earlier, at the beginning of 12/12, the White House owner announced a $ 200 million aid package to Ukraine by transferring from the existing US arsenal.
According to legislators and analysts, the Pentagon has the authority to mobilize up to US $ 4.6 billion to transfer weapons from their reserves, but only $ 1 billion to replace them, and that amount is not enough to maintain long -term war efforts. Up to now, the US has spent US $ 111 billion to support Kiev in the battle with Moscow.
US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint press conference at the White House, 12/12/2023.
The commitment of Mr. Biden, such as “I will not abandon Ukraine and the American people, too”, seems to be meaningless when proposing his financial support next year.National AssemblyThe United States in the fourth month in a row in the context of the Republican Party requires the White House to compromise on the issue of thorny, the US-Mexico border security as part of any agreement.
Mr. Biden on 12/12 also made it clear that without additional funding approved by the National Assembly, “we will have to quickly stop the possibility of helping Ukraine meet emergency operation requirements.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin “is looking forward to the US promise to Ukraine,” Biden said. “The National Assembly needs to adopt additional funding to Ukraine before they holiday, before they give the President of Russia the best Christmas gift they can give him.”
Responding to the meeting between Zelensky and Mr. Biden, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on 12/12 said that although the beauty salon for Ukraine, there was no significant success on the battlefield.
He said: “It is important that people must understand that tens of billion dollars in pumping into Ukraine do not help the country achieve success on the battlefield.”
Believe in specific results
Zelensky, who was warmly welcomed during his first visit to Capitol hill a year ago, faced a more cold welcome at closed meetings with the legislators “Flower Flag” on 12/12.
Last December, he spoke in the National Assembly’s rejoicing meeting that “Ukraine is still alive and operating.” This time, he told the legislators that his country would recruit men over 45 years old and may have to use guerrilla wars when aid from the US and European allies increasingly scarce.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (in the middle) walked with the Mitch McConnell Senate Leadership (left) and the leader of the Most Senate Chuck Schumer, 12/12/2023. Photo: CNN
While the supporters said they still hope to achieve a border compromise after the holiday to liberate the aid next year, the support.politicsA time spacious was cracked in both the United States and Europe.
After the initial success of Ukraine in repelling the Russian troops, the second year of the war did not bring much change in the battle line. Kiev’s counterattack, supported by billions of western weapons and training, has made limited progress before the Russian deep defense routes, asking questions about the constant commitment to fighting to win Zelensky’s victory.
“What the Biden government seems to be asking to add billions of dollars without appropriate supervision, without a clear strategy to win and no answer that I think the American people want to have,” said the Republican Republic of the Republican Party of Mike Johnson said after hearing the call of Ukrainian leader.
Only less than a year left to the US presidential election. The polls show that voters are not satisfied with the increasing cost of supporting Ukraine, especially among the Republican party members. Former US President Donald Trump, a Republican candidate, made it clear that he wanted an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, not a war.
Israeli’s war in the Gaza Strip also lost his enthusiasm to continue supporting Ukraine.
“The fact is impossible” is the way the Mitch McConnell Senate Leadership, one of the Republican members who support the most enthusiastic Ukraine, describe the opportunity to approve the support before the end of this year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian ground force commander, General Oleksandr Syrsky, and Deputy Chief of Roman Mashovets Office view the map during the front of the Kupiansk City, Kharkiv region, November 30, 2023
“Mr. Zelensky’s mood and what is happening this week reflects that there is not much money to support Ukraine,” said Dara Massicot, senior member at the Carnegie Fund becausepeaceInternational based in Washington DC, said. “Because Ukraine is too dependent on the Western aid at this time, the end of aid will cause negative consequences of money for the battlefield.”
When asked in a joint press conference with Mr. Biden about his trip, President Zelensky tried to be optimistic.
“I have received signals. They are more than positive,” the Ukrainian leader said. “But we know that we have to separate the words and specific results. Therefore, we will believe in specific results.”.
