During a recent visit to Washington, the top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that the days ahead “will be tough” as his country battles Russia while U.S. support from Congress hangs in the balance. War and winter are colliding.
Instead of being approved or rejected by Congress, President Joe Biden’s nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other needs is being met with new political demands from Republicans who are demanding changes to border policies between the United States and Mexico in order to stop the flow of migrants.
By connecting Ukraine’s military support to American border security, one of the most contentious domestic political topics—immigration and border crossings—is thrust into the center of a growing discussion about foreign policy during times of war.
Biden’s request will be the first thing on the agenda when Congress gets back from its holiday break this coming week, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Failure runs the risk of undermining America’s standing internationally by delaying military aid to Israel and Kyiv as well as humanitarian relief for Gaza while the country is engaged in two wars.
Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, who recently hosted Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff of the Ukrainian president, at the discussion in Washington, stated that “it’s coming at a crucial time.”
“We’re getting low on cash,” Coffey stated during an interview.
What was overwhelmingly supportive of Ukraine’s fledgling democracy a year ago as it sought an alliance with the West to thwart Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion has turned into yet another political squabble in the US.
But you know, we were trying to figure out a way forward, so we were talking all day today and all through the night,” he recently stated.
“I’m not confident we’ll get there,” he continued.
Republicans insist the funding comes with U.S. border provisions, even defense hawks who firmly support Ukraine.
“The truth is, significant border policy changes will be necessary if President Biden wants Ukraine aid to pass,” stated Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas who frequently supports McConnell on defense matters.
In its larger package, the White House has asked for about $14 billion for border security, including funding for more Border Patrol agents, detention centers, and judges to handle immigration cases. Increased inspections are another part of the plan to halt the supply of lethal fentanyl.
Important senators from both parties were recently seen with Biden and his national security team. Since Republicans control a slim majority of the House and Democrats hold a slight advantage in the Senate, bipartisan cooperation will almost certainly be necessary for any legislation to move forward in Congress.
The Pentagon is giving Ukraine less and less money. Although the Defense Department only has roughly $1 billion to replenish its stockpiles, it is authorized to remove equipment valued at $5 billion from its holdings and send it to Ukraine. Thus, military authorities are concerned about the impact on the equipment and preparedness of US troops.
Funding is becoming more and more necessary “every day,” according to Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh.
As of February 2022, Congress has approved $113 billion for Ukraine; of that amount, the Defense Department has received half, according to the Congressional Research Service. The money is being used to restock American stockpiles and equip Ukraine’s armed forces, mostly with military hardware and weaponry from the United States.
The majority of the remaining funds are used for emergency and humanitarian relief as well as World Bank-sponsored government support for Ukraine.
Experts in national security have observed the Ukrainian military repurposing antiquated American weaponry that was scheduled for decommissioning and using it to destroy elements of the Russian military. According to McConnell, the majority of the money is spent domestically in states all over the country on defense production.
