Is the urgently needed support for Ukraine now coming? Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (77) has indicated that he wants to support Ukraine with loans. The Republicans had previously blocked the aid in the US Congress.
First, the Republican chairman of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson (52), announced his support for Ukraine – and came under heavy pressure within the party because of this. The accusation: Johnson is confronting Trump, who has always been critical of further support for Ukraine.
But now the surprising turnaround: “I stand by the chairman’s side,” Trump said on Friday evening when the two made a joint appearance at his property in Mar-a-Lago in the US state of Florida. Johnson is doing a “very good job”.
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Loans instead of direct help
And then Trump even went into detail: Instead of direct government aid, he would prefer loans for Ukraine and its military defense.
Trump’s word of power is extremely important for Ukraine. The United States has been Ukraine’s main military supporter since the start of the war. But for months, Republicans in Congress have been blocking a new $60 billion aid package under pressure from Trump, who is running for president again in November.
The reason given by the hardliners in the Trump camp: They only want to agree to further aid to Ukraine if in return there are tougher measures to secure the US border with Mexico. US President Joe Biden (81) had repeatedly called on the House of Representatives to give up its blockade stance.
Many conservatives consider Johnson to be too cooperative with US President Joe Biden
Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP
And Trump’s backing is also important for Johnson. His supporters have been wanting to force Johnson out of office for weeks. The influential MP Marjorie Taylor Greene (49) had announced that she would overthrow Johnson if he agreed to an aid package for Ukraine.
Greene is considered an ally of Trump and had advocated his rejection of aid to Ukraine for weeks in the House of Representatives.
The hardliner Greene wants to challenge Johnson for the office
Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP
But suddenly Trump seems to be turning away from Greene. Trump said the dispute was “not an easy situation” for Johnson. The former president turned to Greene: “I’m sure Marjorie understands.”
According to the New York Times, there is an explosive deal behind Trump’s sudden change of heart: Trump supports Johnson in the House of Representatives and in return he supports Trump in his campaign against the alleged “election fraudsters” from the Democrats.
2024-04-13 15:32:19
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