Ukraine could be facing defeat in its war with Russia as a partisan battle on Capitol Hill continues over diminishing funds to send to the war-torn country.
Zelenskyy’s top aid was Washington, urging lawmakers to support a $ 106 billion aid package, which includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine.
However, the plan’s fate looks grim for Zelenskyy, as Senate Republicans insist on securing the southern border rather than sending more money abroad.
The bill faces a much steeper climb in the House as Republican leaders call for a more secure U.S.-Mexico border.
House Republicans haven’t budged from their stance since Joe Biden introduced the $106 billion spending plan last month.
That package also includes $14 billion for Israel.
In a letter to White House officials, House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated that his caucus believes it has a “duty” to demand a full, detailed explanation of how the administration expects Ukraine to win the war with Russia.
Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said his country faces a “big risk to lose this war” without American support.
However, Biden officials said the U.S. will run out of money for Ukraine by the end of this month unless more funding is signed off,
“We are at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to our ability to provide security assistance to Ukraine,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
The Washington Times reported:
“Growing numbers of congressional Republicans have balked at what they say is the Biden administration’s “blank check” for Ukraine, given U.S. spending needs at home and questions of whether Kyiv is using assistance honestly and efficiently.
Oleksandr Klymenko, the head of the Ukrainian government’s anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, told the Agence France-Presse news service Tuesday that his office has “several proceedings” related to alleged arms procurement corruption.
Three months ago, Mr. Zelenskyy abruptly replaced his defense minister amid reports of possible corruption in the military services and defense industry.”
Earlier this year, Joe Biden said the two foreign wars threatened to undermine democracy and put US national security at risk.
Biden also brought Russian President Vladimir Putin into the fray, comparing him to the terrorist organization Hamas.
The president claimed both Hamas and Putin want to “completely annihilate a neighboring democracy.”
“History has taught us when terrorists don’t pay a price for their terror, when dictators don’t pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death and more destruction,” Mr. Biden said.
Recent polling has shown American voters are becoming increasingly skeptical of the funds sent to Ukraine.
Ahead of his speech, Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A White House readout of the call said the president underscored America’s “continued commitment to Ukraine.”
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