250 million dollars: USA releases last military aid to Ukraine for now
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has now called on Parliament to act "as quickly as possible" to enable further military aid. Helping Ukraine to defend itself is "in the national security interests" of the USA.
US President Joe Biden had already asked Congress in October for new aid for Kiev amounting to around 61 billion dollars. However, some Republicans are opposed to this, even though Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is in favor of new aid. The conservatives can block further funds for Ukraine with their majority in the House of Representatives and their blocking minority in the Senate.
Despite lengthy negotiations and a personal visit to Washington by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky, the leaders of the ruling Democrats and the opposition Republicans in the Senate, Chuck Schumer and McConnell, conceded just over a week ago that the US Congress would not approve any new military aid for Ukraine this year. The hope is now to act "swiftly" at the beginning of next year. Congress returns from its winter recess on January 8.
Washington has so far been Ukraine's most important supporter in the war against Russia. A long-term US failure would have serious consequences for Kiev. The western allies of the USA and Ukraine are therefore looking to Washington with great concern.
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- Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate Minority Leader, supports new aid for Ukraine, despite opposition from some Republicans in Congress.
- Joe Biden, the U.S. president, had previously requested a new aid package of around 61 billion dollars from the U.S. Congress for Ukraine's defense.
- Despite a personal visit to Washington by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky and lengthy negotiations, the U.S. Congress ended up not approving any new military aid for Ukraine this year.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the Ukrainian Parliament to act quickly to enable further military aid, stating that it's in the national security interests of the USA to help Ukraine defend itself.
- With the USA being Ukraine's most important supporter in the war against Russia, a long-term US failure could have severe consequences for Kiev, causing concern among Ukraine's western allies.
- As the U.S. has released its last 250 million dollars in military aid to Ukraine for now, Antony Blinken urged Parliament to act swiftly for further aid in the beginning of next year.
- The USA's Republican Party, led by McConnell, has the majority in the House of Representatives and a blocking minority in the Senate, thus holding the power to block further funds for Ukraine.
- The United States gave Ukraine around 250 million dollars as its last military aid for the time being, extending its support in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
- Tony Blinken urged Democrats and Republicans in Washington to set aside their political differences and approve further aid to Ukraine to prevent a possible Russian advance.
- The announcement of the last military aid meant that Ukraine still receives financial support from the USA, but the size and the guarantee of future support is not as extensive as before.
- Addressing the opposition from Republicans, President Biden reiterated his commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and security and called for bipartisan support for a broader and more significant free million-dollar aid package from the US Congress.
Source: www.stern.de
