Russian invasion - Zelensky does not ask the US Senate for Ukraine aid after all
According to the Democratic majority leader in the US Senate, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi will not be using a video link to address senators in order to campaign for further US aid for his country after all. Something came up at the last minute, Chuck Schumer said at a press conference. He did not give any further details.
The briefing behind closed doors was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon (local time). In a press conference, Schumer appealed to his Republican colleagues to approve further US aid quickly. "This is a historic moment," he said. We cannot wait any longer.
According to the government, the funds for Ukraine approved by the US Congress to date will be completely used up by the end of the year. If Parliament does not act, the government will then have no funds left to procure further weapons and equipment for Ukraine or to supply equipment from its own military stocks to Kiev, wrote the Director of the National Budget Office, Shalanda Young, in a letter to the leadership in both chambers of Congress published on Monday.
US President Joe Biden had already requested a huge billion-euro package from Congress in October, including fresh money for Ukraine. However, the release of new US aid for Ukraine continues to be blocked by a domestic political dispute between Democrats and Republicans in the US Parliament. More and more Republicans are expressing doubts about support for Ukraine or rejecting it altogether. A recently passed transition budget once again contains no new funds for Ukraine.
Schumer called on his colleagues to "do the right thing" and push for the release of new funds. If Ukraine falls, Russian President Vladimir Putin will "carry on", he warned. Autocrats around the world would be emboldened. Ultimately, it was about defending democracy.
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- Despite the urgent need for aid, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi decided not to address the US Senate directly to seek additional support, as reported by the US Senate's Democratic majority leader, Chuck Schumer.
- The cancellation of Zelenskyi's address to the US Senate came at the last minute, leaving Chuck Schumer to appeal to his Republican colleagues for swift approval of further US aid for Ukraine at a press conference.
- The US government has indicated that the funds allocated to Ukraine by Congress will be exhausted by the end of the year, making it crucial for the US Senate and Parliament to act promptly to avoid a potential aid shortage for Ukraine.
- In a letter to Congress' leadership, the Director of the National Budget Office, Shalanda Young, underscored the urgency of the situation, stressing that the absence of new funds could impact Ukraine's ability to procure weapons and military equipment.
- The swift release of further US aid for Ukraine has been hampered by ongoing domestic political disputes between the Democratic and Republican factions within the US Parliament, which has led to delays and escalating doubts among some Republicans regarding continued support for Ukraine.
- As the situation in Ukraine deteriorates, US President Joe Biden has urged Congress to set aside political differences and approve additional funds to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion.
- The potential fall of Ukraine would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and inspire autocrats worldwide, according to Chuck Schumer, which is why it is crucial for the US Senate and Congress to work together to preserve democracy and support Ukraine's efforts to prevent a full-scale invasion by Russia.
Source: www.stern.de
