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'If the United States ceased its funding it would be disastrous for Ukraine' - FRANCE 24 English
As Senate Republicans blocked the advance of tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine Wednesday, President Joe Biden berated their tactics as “stunning" and dangerous. Yet he also signaled an openness to what GOP lawmakers ultimately want: border policy changes. Biden at the White House warned of dire consequences for Kyiv — and a “gift” to Russia’s Vladimir Putin – if Congress fails to pass a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel as well as other national security priorities.
Hours later, Senate Republicans defiantly voted to stop the package from advancing, something that they had threatened to do all week. “They’re willing to literally kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield and damage our national security in the process,” Biden said. But even as he lashed Republicans for their stance, Biden stressed that he is willing to “make significant compromises on the border,” if that's what it takes to get the package through Congress. That statement has raised at least some hope that progress can be made in the days ahead as the Senate grinds through negotiations on border security, one of the most fraught issues in American politics.
Biden's remarks Wednesday were his clearest overture yet to Republicans and came at a critical time, with a path through Congress for the emergency funds rapidly disappearing and America’s support for multiple allies in doubt. “If we don’t support Ukraine, what is the rest of the world going to do?” Biden added. The president's statement came hours after he huddled virtually with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of the Group of Seven advanced democracies, which have staunchly supported Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
As Ukraine aid falters in the Senate, FRANCE 24's Mark Owen is joined by Mark Cancian (Colonel, USMCR, ret.), Senior Adviser with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.
