Poland PM criticizes US Republicans for delaying Ukraine aid bill
3 Min Read
The current Democrat bill includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion to fund "Israel", and nearly $5 billion to help “deter” China in the Indo-Pacific.
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Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk listens to a question while talking to journalists as he arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, February 1, 2024. (AP)
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking after a $95 billion aid bill for Ukraine and "Israel" was temporarily paused in the Senate earlier this week, criticized Republicans on social media, recalling that past presidents from the Republican party, like former President Ronald Reagan, had supported foreign military assistance to US allies.
Tusk posted on X, “Dear Republican Senators of America. Ronald Reagan, who helped millions of us to win back our freedom and independence, must be turning in his grave today. Shame on you."
Dear Republican Senators of America. Ronald Reagan, who helped millions of us to win back our freedom and independence, must be turning in his grave today. Shame on you.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) February 8, 2024
The Democrat-proposed bill, which Republicans attempted to block, is still going through amendments in the Senate, even though it has already gotten the votes needed for moving into the upper chamber without the risk of a filibuster.
The bill, in its current form, includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for "Israel", and nearly $5 billion to help “deter” China in the Indo-Pacific, unlike the older version that included more than $20 billion in funding to help secure the US' southern border, a provision Republicans previously requested before abandoning recently.
Aid for Kiev paused
Washington has largely paused all weapon aid to Kiev recently due to the impasse, as it has previously aided Ukraine with over $100 billion in military, financial, and humanitarian assistance approved by the White House.
President Joe Biden has criticized Republicans over the current bill delay, claiming the party is too affected by Donald Trump, who has repeatedly voiced support for stronger border protections.
Poland has been among Ukraine’s most vocal supporters throughout the conflict with Russia. It has provided its own arms shipments and urged other Western allies to give advanced weapons, including fighter jets to Ukraine.
Tusk, who recently retook the prime minister spot after serving from 2007 to 2014, has promised to apply more pressure on Warsaw’s partners to provide aid, stating, “We will demand full mobilization of the West to help Ukraine.”
Poland is straying further away from Russia
Poland is building new fortifications and shelters in the border zone with Belarus and Russia, as reported on February 5 in a Polish economic and legal newspaper.
A ministry source told the Rzeczpospolita daily that the move was "part of the overall national defense plan," and the Ministry of Defense did not disclose any detailed information.
In a briefing, the ministry said, "Work is underway on the further expansion of engineering fortification, including a shelter system and their improvement in the border zone."
"The situation is extremely critical, and the sense of urgency is spreading among numerous countries," Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told the Daily Super Express. He further stated that he is gearing up for a potential scenario in which Ukraine faces defeat in the war with Russia.
"I assume every scenario and take the worst ones most seriously. This is the role of the minister of defense in the situation we find ourselves in today. These are not words thrown into the wind. I try to weigh them very carefully," he said.
