Washington, D.C. – December 5, 2023: In a stark announcement on Monday, the White House issued a dire warning that the United States’ crucial aid to Ukraine is at risk of running out by the end of the year. The Biden administration emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin could emerge victorious in the ongoing conflict if Congress fails to approve additional funding.
Shalanda Young, President Joe Biden’s budget director, conveyed the urgency of the situation in a blunt letter to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. Young emphasized that a lapse in military assistance would significantly impact Kyiv’s ability to resist the Russian invasion, stating that it would “kneecap” Ukraine on the battlefield.
Despite President Biden’s request to Congress in October for a substantial $106 billion national security package, including military aid for Ukraine and support for Israel’s conflict with Hamas, the funding proposal has encountered obstacles on Capitol Hill due to divisions among lawmakers.
Young stated unequivocally, “There is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment. We are out of money — and nearly out of time.”
National Security Advisory Jake Sullivan underscored the gravity of the situation, asserting that voting against aid for Ukraine equated to facilitating Russian success. “Congress has to decide whether to continue to support the fight for freedom in Ukraine… or whether Congress will ignore the lessons we’ve learned from history and let Putin prevail,” Sullivan declared at a White House press briefing. “It is that simple. It is that stark a choice.”
Ukraine, facing increased attacks from Russian forces during the winter months following an unsuccessful counteroffensive, has been urging Western nations for additional aid. However, partisan disputes within Congress, particularly among hard-right lawmakers, have hindered progress.
Speaker Johnson, responding to the White House letter, maintained a cool stance, stating, “The Biden administration has failed to substantively address any of my conference’s legitimate concerns about the lack of a clear strategy in Ukraine.”
Furthermore, Johnson echoed the Republicans’ stance, insisting on linking Ukraine aid to changes in U.S. policy regarding the southern border with Mexico, amid a surge in migrant arrivals.
President Biden has sought to tie $61 billion for Ukraine with $14 billion for Israel in the aid package demanded in October, along with funding for border security. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that the “judgment of history will be harsh indeed” if Congress fails to act, attributing the delay to Republicans injecting “partisan and extreme immigration measures into the debate.”
As concerns grow in Washington, there is apprehension that Putin may choose to wait until the next U.S. presidential election in 2024, reminiscent of the 2020 contest between Biden and Donald Trump. A senior State Department official noted, “I think my expectation is that Putin won’t make peace or a meaningful peace before he sees the result of our election.”
The situation is further complicated by polls indicating a growing number of voters expressing the view that the United States is doing too much to assist Kyiv. The specter of potential Russian interference in U.S. elections and preferences for certain candidates adds a layer of complexity to an already intricate geopolitical landscape.
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