As President Biden nears the end of his term, he is reportedly making one final push to Congress for $24 billion in aid to Ukraine. This new request aims to boost Ukraine’s military capabilities and replenish US weapon stocks, which have been depleted from supporting the conflict. According to Politico Pro, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget has suggested that Congress might include this funding in the legislation needed to prevent a government shutdown next month.
The proposal, seen by several lawmakers on Monday, calls for $8 billion to support the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which would fund contracts with US companies to supply arms to Kyiv. Another $16 billion is requested to restock US weaponry supplies. However, some Republicans have already voiced strong objections to the request.
“Joe Biden just gave away 4.7 billion in your taxpayer dollars by unilaterally ‘forgiving’ loans to Ukraine. Congress must not give him a free gift to further sabotage President Trump’s peace negotiations on the way out the door. Any Biden funding demands should be DOA,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) stated on X.
Just last week, the Biden administration informed Congress about its plans to forgive $4.65 billion of Ukraine’s debt. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan made the case for continued support, arguing that the threat to Ukraine will persist, regardless of the battlefield situation or any potential peace talks. “The United States should not walk away from its commitment, either to Ukraine or to 50 nations that we have rallied in defense of Ukraine in both Europe and Asia,” Sullivan told CBS News’ Face the Nation earlier this month.
The last major aid package for Ukraine passed by US lawmakers was in April, nearly nine months after Biden’s initial request in August of the previous year. This package included $61 billion in Ukraine aid, as part of a larger $95 billion package. The process of securing this funding saw contentious debates, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) pushing to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in response. Despite these challenges, Democrats ultimately supported Johnson, highlighting the politically delicate nature of further Ukraine aid.
The package also included about $10 billion in economic loans for Ukraine, but Republicans, particularly fiscal conservatives, have long criticized continued spending without significant reforms. As Congress faces a December 20 deadline to prevent a government shutdown, lawmakers must decide whether to approve a temporary funding measure or resolve the situation through the traditional appropriations process.
Biden’s plea comes at a time of uncertainty regarding the future of US involvement in Ukraine’s ongoing war. President-elect Donald Trump has boasted about his ability to end the conflict within 24 hours, signaling a potential shift in US foreign policy if he takes office. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces mounting challenges on the eastern front, as Russia continues to gain ground in the Donbas region.
In response to these setbacks, Biden recently authorized the use of long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) by Ukraine, allowing them to strike deep into Russian-held territory. This move came after revelations that North Korea had sent approximately 10,000 troops to aid Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian leaders had long sought more flexibility in the weapons they receive, as they claim Russia has been able to hide critical military assets within its own borders, out of reach of Ukrainian forces.
With mounting political pressure and an increasingly complex geopolitical situation, Biden’s final appeal for Ukraine funding sets the stage for a tense and uncertain debate on Capitol Hill. The outcome will not only shape US policy toward Ukraine but also influence the broader dynamics of global security in the years to come.
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