One of Ukraine's top US backers makes U-turn on Kiev
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Republican Representative in the US House of Representatives, Andy Harris, is changing his mind on backing Ukraine, calling for reducing the amount of aid being sent to the country.
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Representative Andy Harris is applauded after changing his vote to Representative Kevin McCarthy, during the 13th round of voting in the House chamber in Washington, Friday, January 6, 2023. (AP)
In a recent town hall meeting, GOP Representative Andy Harris, a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, expressed reservations about continuing direct US aid to Ukraine.
This shift in stance by Harris, a staunch ally of Ukraine's and a main backer of Kiev, raised eyebrows within the Republican Party, while also reflecting the Red party's evolving position on the issue of supporting Ukraine.
Harris's remarks came during a presentation on the national debt, where he questioned the effectiveness of ongoing aid efforts to Ukraine.
Read next: Pentagon to give Ukraine $2.1 billion in military aid
The first package this year was a $3 billion package in military aid to Ukraine, which included Bradley military vehicles, self-propelled Howitzer artillery guns, MRAPS vehicles, Sea Sparrow missiles, and ammo, among other military materials and equipment.
In February, the Pentagon announced a $460 million package to Ukraine, which included "more ammunition for US-provided HIMARS and howitzers that Ukraine is using to defend their country as well as more Javelins, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars" per a Pentagon statement at the time.
Then, in March, the US announced that it would provide Ukraine with new military aid amounting to $350 million, including HIMARS and howitzers ammunition, anti-tank systems, and Bradley armored vehicles.
During a surprise visit to Ukraine in May, US President Joe Biden expressed his country's unceasing support after taking the chance to promise Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky that more arms will be sent and that they have his unflagging commitment to helping Ukraine.
Failing spring counteroffensive
Harris characterized Ukraine's spring counteroffensive as a failure, and expressed doubts about how likely Ukraine is to emerge victorious from the war. Despite his Ukrainian heritage and previous support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Harris appears to be reconsidering his position.
One of the critical reasons behind Harris's change in tone is his concern about the fiscal implications of further aid to Ukraine, wherein he cited the trillion-dollar US deficits in the post-Covid years and emphasized that the country does not have the financial resources to sustain such aid efforts.
Harris also voiced apprehensions about potential fraud, waste, and the rising cost of food in the US. He even raised the specter of involving Ukraine in NATO, fearing it could "lead to World War III."
These concerns align with the broader GOP shift in perspective on Ukraine aid, setting the stage for a challenging debate when Congress reconvenes.
President Joe Biden's request for an additional $24 billion in emergency funds for Ukraine this fall will require the support of Republican conservatives like Harris. However, Harris indicated that he would only support aid if it were directed toward humanitarian purposes or military efforts with proper oversight.
More realism in the Capitol
Furthermore, Harris joined other GOP hardliners in calling for peace talks to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
While acknowledging President Zelensky's reluctance to engage in negotiations, Harris emphasized the importance of realistic assessments, suggesting that without US assistance, Zelensky's chances of success were limited.
Harris's shift in stance reflects the evolving landscape of the Republican party's position on Ukraine aid, and it underscores the complex challenges Speaker Kevin McCarthy will face when Congress returns from recess next month.
The debate over aid to Ukraine promises to be a contentious issue, with fiscal concerns, geopolitical ramifications, and potential peace talks all on the table.
Opposing a 'black check'
This comes in the wake of the House Freedom Caucus issuing in August a statement saying they would oppose any "blank check" for Ukraine in future supplemental appropriation bills, adding that they would vote against a continuing resolution on stopgap funding in order to circumvent the government shutdown in October.
The Freedom Caucus is a group of "the most far-right" Republicans in the United States House of Representatives, currently holding 45 out of the 435 seats.
"[I]n the eventuality that Congress must consider a short-term extension of government funding through a Continuing Resolution, we refuse to support any such measure that continues Democrats' bloated COVID-era spending and simultaneously fails to force the Biden Administration to follow the law and fulfill its most basic responsibilities," the caucus stated
The United States alone has contributed over $100 billion in military, economic, and humanitarian supplies to the country.
Meanwhile, the majority of Americans believe the US has supported Ukraine in its continuing struggle with Russia sufficiently and would argue against allocating extra funds for the nation, according to a recent poll conducted by pollster Social Science-Research Solutions (SSRS) and commissioned by CNN.
