The US Republican party in congress has been delaying an essential aid package for Ukraine, worth $60 billion, for the past six months. This has resulted in Ukraine being compelled to manage its sparse supply of artillery. According to a senior US commander’s account to a congressional hearing last week, the Russian forces currently outgun the Ukrainian forces by a ratio of 5-to-1. He emphasised the urgency of dispatching more ammunition to Ukraine, cautioning that they could lose the war if support is not forthcoming. His warnings were not false alarms.
The US’s Western allies, along with Kyiv, are urging the US to release the funds. Furthermore, a recent poll suggests that more than half of the American population – 58% – supports providing additional economic assistance and arms to Ukraine. A bipartisan vote could easily pass the aid package in congress, as it is supported by the majority of Democrats and numerous Republicans. However, it needs to be voted on.
In spite of this, the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has managed to avoid bringing it to a vote due to fear of undermining his position by the Trump-supporting right-wing faction who objects to allocating more funds to Ukraine.
Some argue that the war cannot be won and that Ukraine should be forced into peace negotiations – Trump suggests that they should hand over Donbas and Crimea in return for a ceasefire, as he would enforce this result if he were president. Some people argue that the US simply can’t afford to support Ukraine financially, while others openly back Putin and his war goals, viewing Russia as an ally.
To win over his far-right supporters, Johnson is adding a series of unrelated policies from the Republican agenda to the aid package, which includes resuming liquefied natural gas exports that have been put on hold by the administration. It remains doubtful whether this will pacify the far-right.
The predicament of the already struggling people of Ukraine being hijacked due to internal divisions amongst the Republicans and the caprices of isolationists is a dismal observation on the condition of US politics. Moreover, it may provoke additional military aggression from Russia if they sense the West’s determination weakening.