Jakarta –
The United States will run out of time and money to help Ukraine fight back a Russian invasion unless Congress approves a new spending package, the White House said Monday.
Joe Biden’s administration had asked Congress last October to approve a $106 billion package to fund aid for Ukraine and Israel, as well as for border security, but it was rejected by the Republican-controlled parliament.
In a letter to the House Speaker on Monday, the administration’s budget director Shalanda Young said time was running out to help Ukraine. “There is no magic fund available to meet this moment. We are running out of money – and running out of time,” he wrote.
“I want to be clear: without congressional action, by the end of this year we will run out of resources to buy more weapons and equipment for Ukraine,” he added.
“Cutting off the flow of US weapons and equipment would bring Ukraine to its knees on the battlefield, not only jeopardizing the gains Ukraine has made, but also increasing the likelihood of Russian military victory,” said Shalanda Young.
White House national security spokesman Jake Sullivan said Russia could gain if the package is not passed quickly.
“Congress must decide whether it will continue to support the fight for freedom in Ukraine… or whether it will ignore the lessons we have learned from history, and let Putin win,” Sullivan told reporters at the White House.
Republicans are dwelling on the issue of border security
House Speaker Mike Johnson had a cool response to the letter.
“The Biden administration has failed to substantially address our legitimate concerns regarding the lack of a clear strategy on Ukraine, a path to resolving the conflict, or a plan to ensure accountability for aid provided by American taxpayers,” Johnson said in a statement on social media.
He also said that any additional national security package “must start at our own borders.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, on Monday claimed that both parties agreed on funding for Ukraine and Israel, and blamed the impasse on border security issues.
Schumer said Republicans had “inserted partisan and extreme immigration measures into the debate” such as “indefinite detention” of asylum seekers, a proposal Democrats say goes too far.
Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said his party was “still in discussions.”
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2023-12-05 10:40:25
#Government #Running #Money #Ukraine