Head of Zelensky’s office in Washington. “High risk of losing the war”
The head of the Chancellery of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, tried to convince the American Congress to agree to financial support for his country.
It’s been a long time since the US Congress has been so divided over financial aid for struggling Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly canceled his participation in a remote debate during which he was supposed to report to senators on the latest events on the front.
The Guardian notes that as more members of the Republican Party adopt Donald Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy, more right-wing lawmakers have become suspicious of Ukraine’s funding. Democrats believe the other side is using the war as an excuse to secure domestic priorities. The first vote on the aid bill is scheduled for Wednesday.
Will the US stop support for Ukraine?
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Tuesday that postponing American aid for Kiev, which Congress is debating, would create a “high risk” of Ukraine losing the war with Russia. He delivered the speech in English.
“Andriy Yermak’s comments were among the most outspoken to come from a senior official in Kiev amid uncertainty over the future of important U.S. and European Union aid packages as the war with Russia continues,” Reuters writes.
Jermak added that a possible postponement of aid “creates a high risk that we may find ourselves in the same situation we are in now.”
– And of course, this makes it very likely that we will not be able to gradually liberate the country and creates a high risk of losing this war – he noted.
President Joe Biden’s administration asked Congress in October for nearly $106 billion to fund ambitious plans for Ukraine, Israel and U.S. border security, but Republicans, who control the House of Representatives by a slim majority, rejected the package.
The Ukrainian government expects a budget deficit of $43 billion next year.
