Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has canceled a high-profile briefing with US lawmakers scheduled for Tuesday, citing an impasse over future US funding for the country. Virtual appearances in the Senate and House were abruptly called off at the last moment, with Senate leader Chuck Schumer attributing Zelensky’s absence to a “last-minute” matter without providing further details.
The cancellation followed a warning from a top Ukrainian official, Andriy Yermak, stating that the nation is at risk of losing the war against Russia without continued US military aid. Yermak’s dire assessment came just hours before Zelensky withdrew from the scheduled appearances.
Efforts by the White House for additional support for Ukraine face hurdles, as the US Congress has not reached a deal on a compromise spending package to fund the war effort. The funding impasse coincides with the apparent practical stalemate on the frontlines of the conflict.
Despite over $110 billion in military and economic aid approved by the US Congress since the war began in February 2022, delays in funding are impacting Ukraine’s current counter-offensive against Russia. The Biden administration has warned that most of the allocated money has already been distributed.
Frederick Kagan, director of the American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project, emphasizes the real consequences of funding delays on the Ukrainian battlefield, leading to a scaled-back counter-offensive and uncertainty about future operations.
The ongoing negotiations in the US Senate for a $106 billion spending package, including aid to Ukraine, face challenges related to border security funding. Democrats and Republicans are at odds over proposed immigration policy changes, complicating the prospects of passing the aid package.
As the conflict approaches its third year, the funding debate underscores the need for a clear understanding of America’s interests and a genuine debate on the distribution of substantial funds. The outcome of the war, according to Kagan, will be determined by the actions of both the Ukrainians and the choices made by the United States. Source – BBC
