Big consequences if US 'pulls the plug' on Ukraine, Kirby says

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Dec 2023 19:29

NSA Spokesman John Kirby said that the US cannot afford to lose the conflict in Ukraine, especially in light of Congress's lack of agreement to provide additional tens of billions of dollars to Kiev.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Washington (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Spokesperson for the US National Security Council John Kirby on Wednesday said that the failure of Congress to support the White House's additional funding request for Ukraine could have a "disastrous" impact on the ability of US allies to support Ukraine.

"We're the biggest contributor of any country to Ukraine’s security and other economic needs. And if we just pull the plug, the effect that might have on other countries and their ability to support Ukraine could be well nigh disastrous, and it's a gift to Vladimir Putin," Kirby said at a press briefing.

He went on to say that the US cannot afford to lose the conflict in Ukraine, especially in light of Congress's lack of agreement to provide additional tens of billions of dollars to Kiev.

"President [Volodymyr] Zelensky’s top adviser said that without US support, there's a great risk that Ukraine could lose this war. The Ukrainian people certainly can't afford it, Europe can't afford that, and our own national security interests can't afford it," Kirby said.

US Foreign Policy tilts in favor of "Israel"

This comes amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza where the civilian population is enduring the plight of incessant Israeli bombardment and a ground invasion that has so far costed the lives of over 16,000 civilians.

Due to US complicity in the killing of civilians across the Strip, several resistance groups all across the Arab region are resorting to attacking US military bases and warships.

This has prompted a major shift in US foreign policy, prompting aid to be diverted away from Ukraine towards "Israel."

Though the US claims it is struggling to influence Israeli policy, the reality is that the US is fully supportive of the regime's actions in Gaza and has been mulling ways to further expedite the genocide before elections are due to be held.

Congress has been working on providing a standalone bill that would issue funding worth $106 billion for "Israel."

But certain conditions are standing in the way of its approval as Democrats are requesting more transparency in the disbursement of aid.

Legislators are hoping that the bill will go into effect before the year's end.

Biden says failure to support Ukraine: crazy

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.

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.

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.