Washington: The Democratic and Republican leaders of the US Senate said Washington will not be able to approve new aid for Ukraine before year’s end, as the two sides continue to seek a compromise. “As negotiators work through remaining issues, it is our hope that their efforts will allow the Senate to take swift action… early in the new year,” Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican Mitch McConnell said in a joint statement.
“In the time remaining this year, Senate and Administration negotiators will continue to work in good faith toward finalizing their agreement.” “Challenging issues remain, but we are committed to addressing needs at the southern border and to helping allies and partners confront serious threats in Israel, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific. The Senate will not let these national security challenges go unanswered.”
The announcement from Capitol Hill marked another setback for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose government has warned of the “dire need” for weapons ahead of winter. Zelensky flew to Washington in mid-December — his third trip to the US capital in a year — to lobby for the aid.
Ukraine’s military has failed to mount a major counteroffensive in recent months, and Russian pressure on the frontlines remains stiff. The congressional impasse is also a blow to President Joe Biden, who has made support for Ukraine and the strengthening of the Atlantic alliance hallmarks of his foreign policy.
But almost two years after Russian forces invaded Ukraine — and more than $110 billion in US taxpayer money released by Congress — questions have come to the fore more insistently about how open-ended the US support is. Republicans in particular have begun to find the cost too steep.
However, the failure of Congress to approve this package does not mean the end of US support for Kyiv. US lawmakers return to work on January 8, and Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate have stated their intention to approve the package, which includes military, humanitarian and macro-economic components.
