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To make a long story short
The Republicans in the US Senate have blocked an emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel of 1,140 billion Norwegian kroner. This is a significant defeat for President Joe Biden and his administration, and creates uncertainty in Ukraine and the rest of Europe. The rejection of the emergency aid package may increase uncertainty around the US’s role in the world in the future. view more
The rejection of the emergency aid package is a significant defeat for Joe Biden and his administration, and it creates uncertainty in Ukraine and the rest of Europe.
– This is a contribution to reinforcing the general uncertainty about what role the US will play in the world in the future. It is an isolated case, but it feeds the concerns about a number of things, says Arne Bård, retired lieutenant general and former chief of the Defense Staff, to Dagbladet.
EXPERT: Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug believes that the rejection in the Senate reinforces the general uncertainty about what role the US will play in the world in the future… Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet Show more
He points out that the problems have arisen without Trump in power, and that one can only imagine what it would be like if that were to happen,
– This is Putin’s big hard package under the Christmas tree signed by the US Senate, says Dalhaug.
Also lieutenant colonel and head teacher for the land force section at the Norwegian Military Academy, Palle Ydstebø, reacts:
– This is dramatic. If this persists, there could be serious consequences for the further warfare in Ukraine, says Palle Ydstebø.
He believes that much of the issue is about American domestic policy, but warns that if the money is not forthcoming, or is greatly delayed, there could be serious consequences.
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– It will limit Ukraine’s opportunities for progress in the war, and if they get less artillery, this will lead to far more soldiers and civilians dying in Ukraine, he says.
– It will be bad
The consequences are that it becomes more demanding for Ukraine to defend itself against cruise missiles and drones if it takes too long before they are replenished with artillery ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles.
– It will be bad if this situation persists, says Ydstebø.
EXPERT: Lieutenant-Colonel/Section Chief Palle Ydstebø believes the situation in Ukraine will be bad. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB. view more
As a consequence of this, he believes European countries together with Japan or other countries must increase their contributions to Ukraine.
– This is a very sad day, said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the vote in the Senate that stopped emergency aid to Ukraine.
Conservative senators had demanded that immigration reform be part of the resolution. They want stricter controls at the border with Mexico before they would give their support.
As it has been removed, they voted not to proceed with the $106 billion relief package. The amount corresponds to around NOK 1,140 billion.
Democratic defeat
The result is a significant defeat for the Democrats.
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– If Ukraine falls, Putin will not stop there. He will be encouraged. Western democracy will decline if we are not willing to defend. The Republican Party must take this seriously, Democrat Schumer continued after the vote Washington Post.
It is also a defeat for Biden, who has warned of the same thing as Schumer did. Before there was a deadlock in the Senate, Biden said that new appropriations to support Ukraine could not wait.
He has warned Congress and said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not give up on victory in Ukraine, but may go so far as to attack a NATO country.
Before there was an abrupt stop in the Senate, Biden said that new appropriations to support Ukraine could not wait.
– Congress must approve an additional grant before the holidays, he says. If that does not happen, there is a risk that Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive “the greatest gift”, according to Biden.
WARNING: President Joe Biden warned the Senate in advance to say no to the aid package for Ukraine and Israel. To no avail. Photo: AP/NTB. view more
Frustrated Republicans
It is not only the Democrats who are frustrated. The Republicans, including those who have been ardent champions of supporting Ukraine, believe the Democrats are refusing to bend.
– Some of our colleagues would clearly rather let Russia trample on a sovereign nation in Europe than do what is required to enforce America’s own borders, said Senator Mitch McConnell, the minority leader, in the Senate.
He continued:
– They (the Democrats journ.anm.) are convinced that open borders are worth putting the security of the whole world at risk.
What happens next with the American support is now unclear. New York Times writes that some in Washington see the upcoming deadlines for government funding in January and February as opportunities to conclude an agreement, while others fear that several months of waiting could jeopardize Ukraine’s war effort.
– The clock is ticking. Aid to our allies in Ukraine has ended, and the whole world is now watching to see if the United States is able to support all of its allies when they need it, Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington and chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said in the Senate , according to the newspaper.
– Russia hopes for one thing
In Ukraine, the message is clear: they want American support.
– Russia only hopes for one thing – that the consensus of the free world collapses next year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a video meeting with Western leaders from the G7 countries on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Andriy Jermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, visited several US senators and further discussed support for the country.
On Tuesday, he was clear that a possible postponement of American support entails a “great risk” of Russia winning the war.
The Kremlin supports the refusal
Defends Putin tribute
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quick to respond when the news from Washington reached Moscow.
– I hope the US Congress will block all future aid to Ukraine. Let’s hope that there are enough people with sober minds among US congressmen, Dmitry Peskov told AFP.
Russia continues the war with undiminished vigor. Yesterday there was a new Russian attack against Strømnetnett, which worsens the situation all over Ukraine. There is already a lot of snow and severe cold in several places.
Deputy Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca briefed the Security Council on Wednesday about the ongoing situation. He said that Russia attacks civilian infrastructure on a daily basis and that several people have been killed.
Russian authorities have recently stepped up attacks against residential areas, including in the capital Kyiv.
– All attacks against civilians and civil society’s infrastructure must cease immediately. Such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law and simply unacceptable, said Jenca.
Threatens nuclear power plants
He added that the situation is uncertain for all four nuclear power plants in Ukraine. The power plant in Zaporizhzhya is Europe’s largest and on Saturday lost power for the eighth time since the invasion.
The UN humanitarian coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham, told the Security Council that the scale of the dead, injured and destruction of vital civilian infrastructure is staggering.
– Many people have to manage without heat, electricity and water, especially in the south and east. In freezing conditions with many minus degrees, these living conditions threaten the weakest, especially the elderly and people with disabilities, said Rajasingham.
2023-12-08 20:40:05
#Putin #hard #package #Christmas
