President Biden delivered a warning on Tuesday that the division over providing aid to Ukraine is currently being celebrated by Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky encountered resistance from congressional Republicans during his lobbying efforts in Washington.
Biden pledged support for Ukraine when speaking from the White House, stating that failure to support Ukraine would be a gift to Russia’s President Vladimir V. Putin. Despite the push for aid, congressional Republicans continue to insist on pairing any aid for Ukraine with tighter security at the southern border. Biden accused Republicans of holding aid to Ukraine “hostage” in exchange for an extreme partisan agenda on border security, even quoting Russian propagandists praising Republicans for refusing to approve the assistance.
Despite the effort by both leaders to secure aid for Ukraine, the chances of Congress passing an assistance package before the end of the year have become bleak, with opinions showing skepticism of extending financial aid. The country’s military commander voiced concern and urged for the support to continue. There is growing frustration in dealing with Zelensky and his generals, who are pressing for a new strategy to turn the tide.
The current aid, supplied by the US, will soon run out if Congress fails to act, and the American officials are currently exploring other options. Back in Washington, there’s an impasse over aid, with Republicans insisting on securing the US-Mexico border as a necessary condition to unlock military aid. Despite efforts to continue negotiating, there’s no clear path for a bipartisan agreement that includes immigration, a highly contentious issue in the United States.
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