| 02 October 2023
| Christie Anto
Washington, D.C., USA– President Joe Biden has issued a stern warning to Congress as a short-term funding package threatened to disrupt vital aid to Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. In a Sunday address from the White House, President Biden emphasized the urgency of the situation and urged lawmakers to take swift action.
While the compromise reached in Congress to avert a government shutdown included the exclusion of new funding for Ukraine, President Biden's resolve to support Ukraine remains unwavering. He stressed that the United States cannot afford to allow support for Ukraine to be interrupted, given the gravity of the situation on the ground. The current funding bill is set to expire in mid-November, leaving little time for negotiations.
"We have time, not much time, and there is an overwhelming sense of urgency," President Biden asserted. "The vast majority of both parties – Democrats and Republicans, Senate and House – support helping Ukraine and countering the brutal aggression imposed upon them by Russia."
Biden's call to action was straightforward and emphatic: "Stop playing games. Get this done." He expressed expectations that Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy would promptly secure passage of a separate bill for Ukraine funding.
"I want to assure our American allies, the American people, and the people in Ukraine that you can count on our support. We will not walk away," Biden reaffirmed.
The fate of U.S. aid for Ukraine now hangs in the balance, with the political polarization in Washington casting uncertainty over vital military assistance. President Biden and his Democratic party argue that it is the United States' duty to assist Ukraine in standing up to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion, as a failure to do so could embolden other nations in the future.
The politicization of this issue has put crucial military aid at risk at a time when Kyiv is making efforts to advance its counteroffensive before the harsh winter conditions set in. The United States has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine since Russia's invasion last year, and President Biden has been actively rallying both the international community and his own nation to maintain this support.
During a visit to Washington last month, President Biden assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of continued strong U.S. support in their fight against Russian invaders, despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers.
Biden urged Republicans to act promptly to prevent another crisis in November, emphasizing that the era of brinkmanship should end. "I strongly urge my Republican friends in Congress not to wait. Don't waste time as you did all summer. Pass a year-long budget agreement. Honour the deal we made a few months ago," he stated.
On the issue of whether Democrats should support McCarthy if he needed their votes to retain his role as House speaker, President Biden deferred to Democratic leaders in Congress for the decision.
The United States has already approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion, amounting to approximately $113 billion. Part of this funding has been allocated for replenishing U.S. military equipment sent to the front lines. In August, President Biden called on Congress to provide an additional $24 billion in support.
As the clock ticks toward the November deadline, the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine remains uncertain, highlighting the critical importance of bipartisan cooperation and swift legislative action to ensure continued support for a nation under siege.
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