Biden decries failure to support Ukraine, says it's 'absolutely crazy'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
6 Dec 2023 14:09
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During a classified briefing on Ukraine, a group of Republican senators left the session amid a dispute over the border crisis and as a result of the Ukrainian President unexpectedly canceling a videolink appearance

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., answers questions from reporters outside the Senate chamber, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 (AP)

During a classified briefing on Ukraine, a group of Republican senators left the session after it turned into a row over the border crisis, following President Volodymyr Zelensky's unexpected cancelation of a videolink appearance to appeal for continued US funding.

Zelensky intended to provide updates on the war in Ukraine and garner support for an upcoming procedural vote on an emergency aid package exceeding $60 billion for his country.

The delay in Congress has led to concerns about funds running out, and the White House has emphasized the urgency of action to prevent potential advantages for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer explained that a last-minute issue prevented Zelensky's participation, and despite the briefing proceeding, it transformed into a verbal altercation.

Senator Mitt Romney and other Republicans left the briefing early, expressing frustration that their demand for coupling Ukraine aid with action on the US-Mexico border crisis went unaddressed by the briefers.

Romney expressed dissatisfaction to reporters and complained that nothing new was discussed at the briefing. "There's nothing new in what they're describing, and Republicans are saying that there's support for Ukraine, but there has to be security of our border," he said.

Dems want $106B—GOP wants a closed border. That’s the trade. But clueless Dems want to negotiate the border bill. Not going to happen. Is an open border more important to Dems than Ukraine and Israel?
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 5, 2023

Congress is facing peak divisions over providing support to Ukraine amid the ongoing war, marking the most significant split during the nearly two-year duration of the crisis as Ukraine is rapidly depleting the military aid previously supplied by the United States.

Senate Republicans are conditioning their endorsement for additional funding to Ukraine on the condition that Democrats, led by President Joe Biden, agree to implement reforms in the asylum system and enhance border security—proposals that the Democrats have already opposed.

Senator Romney highlighted the frustration among Republicans, stating that some are leaving briefings because the participants are unwilling to engage in discussions essential for reaching a deal.

Joe Biden expressed his frustration at the lack of support for Ukraine, saying, "It's absolutely crazy and just wrong" and against US interests. This was followed by criticism from Democrats who considered the briefing was "hijacked" by Republicans through their motions to discuss issues at the border.

Democrat Chuck Schumer advocated passing a bill that sends $106 billion to Ukraine, Taiwan, and "Israel", but he fears that Republicans will disallow it by voting against it, because of their internal priorities. Democrats criticized their position on the matter, saying they would suffer the consequences when Putin marches into the rest of Europe, claiming that their opposition would enable the scenario.

Chuck Schumer:

Republicans are "dangerously" trying to make Ukraine aid "conditional on passing hard-right border policy." pic.twitter.com/3BPYMgSClm
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 28, 2023

'America First'

Worries about Ukraine losing the war against Russia have been circulating for a while, and it all depends on US military funding.

Back in October, member of the Ukrainian parliament Aleksey Goncharenko made it clear that Ukraine would almost surely lose its war against Russia if the United States quit supplying Kiev with military aid.

"Without the support of the USA, we have almost no chance of holding out," Goncharenko wrote on Telegram.

His words came a day after US Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy proposed cutting military aid to Ukraine from the financing bill to avoid a government shutdown.

The House Speaker warned that favoring "Ukraine over America" may lead to "real problems". He also pointed out that were it not for the aid to Ukraine, US lawmakers may have enacted a last-minute budget plan to extend government financing beyond September and prevent a potential shutdown.

The US risks governmental shutdown

Previously in September, the White House issued a stark warning regarding the potential consequences of a shutdown. The administration estimates that 10,000 children would lose access to Head Start programs (free learning and development services), air traffic controllers and transportation security officers would work without pay, causing travel delays, and food safety inspections by the Food and Drug Administration would also be delayed.

The White House urged House Republicans to prioritize the well-being of Americans over political games and ideological demands.