WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden appealed to Republicans on Wednesday, urging them to approve additional military aid for Ukraine to counter the escalating threat posed by Russia. The president warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine could lead to further aggression against NATO allies, potentially drawing U.S. troops into a conflict.
The United States is set to announce $175 million in additional aid for Ukraine, underscoring its commitment to supporting Kyiv. President Biden expressed a willingness to consider significant changes to U.S. migration policies along the Mexico border to garner Republican support for the aid.
In a plea to Republicans, Biden stated, “If Putin takes Ukraine, he won’t stop there.” He emphasized the potential consequences, predicting that Putin might target a NATO ally, leading to a scenario where American troops could find themselves fighting against Russian forces. Biden stressed the imperative of preventing a victory for Putin and averting further destabilization.
Despite the urgency, Senate Republicans later blocked Democratic-backed legislation aimed at providing billions of dollars in new security assistance for Ukraine and Israel. Republicans indicated a desire to highlight the importance of tighter border policies before endorsing the proposed aid package.
President Biden condemned what he referred to as “extreme Republicans” playing politics with national security, accusing them of holding Ukraine’s funding hostage over partisan border policy. The White House warned of the dwindling time and financial resources available to aid Ukraine in repelling Russia’s invasion.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated the U.S.’s commitment not to pressure Ukraine into negotiations with Russia. He emphasized ongoing efforts to secure funding for Ukraine’s defense and expressed confidence that the argument for supporting Ukraine at this critical moment would ultimately prevail.
As of mid-November, the U.S. Defense Department had utilized 97% of the $62.3 billion in supplemental funding received, and the State Department had exhausted the $4.7 billion in military assistance funding. With less than $1 billion in replenishment authority, urgent Congressional action is needed to provide additional funds for equipment replacement.
The negotiations are complicated by the issue of border security with Mexico, with Republicans advocating for renewed border wall construction and stricter asylum policies. President Biden signaled a willingness to make “significant” compromises on the border issue but emphasized the need for negotiation, stating that Republicans would not get everything they want. The president did not provide specific details on the compromises.
Biden, who had discussed Ukraine during a virtual summit with G7 leaders earlier in the day, highlighted the preparedness of U.S. allies to continue supporting Ukraine in its ongoing 22-month war against Russian invaders.
