US President Joe Biden reaffirmed America’s commitment to Ukraine after Congress eliminated $6 billion in aid to prevent a government shutdown. Despite Republicans linking further funding to the issue of border security, Biden assured American allies and the people of Ukraine that they could rely on US support. He urged lawmakers to put aside games and distractions and prioritize providing assistance to Kyiv. However, during the hectic negotiations on Capitol Hill, lawmakers removed new aid for Ukraine from the bipartisan bill that will fund the US government until November 17.
The exclusion of additional aid reflects the precarious state of support for Ukraine in Congress. Both Republicans and Democrats have prioritized domestic concerns over helping Ukraine resist Russian forces. This decision comes shortly after Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visited Washington in an attempt to rally support for renewed aid.
Although Kyiv anticipates minimal immediate consequences from this move and the reaction from US allies is subdued, Germany’s governing Social Democrats expressed concern that Ukraine might become a victim of radical Republicans. They called on Congress to pass a resolution quickly to reaffirm support for Ukraine, warning that failure to do so would damage the credibility of US foreign policy.
Republicans such as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy emphasized the importance of securing America’s borders alongside providing assistance to Ukraine. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also voiced bipartisan support for both Ukraine aid and strengthening the Southern border. Biden urged Republicans to fulfill their commitment to supporting Ukraine, reminding them of their promise to do so in a separate vote.
Despite opposition from radical House Republicans loyal to former President Donald Trump, who are dissatisfied with McCarthy’s concessions to the White House, some lawmakers expressed surprise and disappointment at the removal of Ukraine aid from the funding bill. Representative Mike Quigley voted against the stop-gap legislation due to the lack of Ukraine funding and warned that the dynamics were unlikely to change in the next 45 days. However, British Conservative MP Alicia Kearns remained confident in US support, acknowledging that the situation was a temporary win for Putin.
Biden had previously requested an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of continuous aid to the battlefield. Ukrainian officials expressed confidence that this change in the US budget would not lead to a material change in support, highlighting the ongoing commitment to Ukraine in both the US Administration and Congress. President Zelenskyy reaffirmed his determination to uphold Ukraine’s reputation and secure international support.
During a visit to Kyiv, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, reiterated the bloc’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s struggle for freedom. Tymofiy Mylovanov, an adviser to Zelenskyy’s administration, expressed doubts about the credibility of the message that the US stands with Ukraine indefinitely. Reporters Guy Chazan, Lucy Fisher, and additional sources contributed to this article.
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