The US has pledged about $17.6 billion to Ukraine since the Russian invasion. The country uses the money to defend itself. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (44) repeatedly praises the fact that the West saves lives with its support. That should be over soon – at least when it comes to Republican minority leader in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy (56).
He makes it clear that financial aid to Ukraine could stand or fall with the coming midterms in November. McCarthy, who could become Speaker of the House of Representatives if the Republicans win, is shooting at the billions the US gives to Ukraine.
McCarthy for America First
He told Punchbowl News, “I don’t think people will be in a recession and give Ukraine a blank check.”
McCarthy makes it clear that he wants to focus on the United States in Trump’s “America First” way. McCarthy has always pretended to be Trump’s sidekick – with one exception. Shortly after storming the Capitol, he fired at the ex-president, but returned. Now he seems to be continuing his agenda.
So he says, “There are things the government doesn’t do in its own country.” He then goes on to write against the current administration of Joe Biden (79): “You don’t care about the border, and people are starting to weigh it. Ukraine is important, but at the same time it shouldn’t be the only thing they do and it shouldn’t be be a blank check.”
Republicans Against Aid to Ukraine
Biden’s Democratic Party currently holds a majority in both houses of the US Congress, but the Midterms could change that. In addition to the roughly $17.6 billion that the US has already invested in Ukraine, an even larger amount has been approved. The Senate voted in May for more than $40 billion in new military and humanitarian aid — with success. Only Republicans voted against the package.
To be precise: Eleven Republican senators and 57 members of the Republican party spoke out against aid to Ukraine. This is due to a mistrust of what the money will be used for. They wanted to track more closely. Also, according to the Washington Post, to track down weapons and equipment sent to the Ukrainian front.
In principle, many top politicians in the US are positive about the financial and military support to Ukraine. So is Republican and Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (80). But the Midterms will allow American voters to send Republicans to the Senate in several states who, like McCarthy, are against the support.
Trumpists on the rise
According to analysis by US media, those who distrust foreign aid and supporters of the “America First” agenda of ex-President Donald Trump (76) are expected to increase.
Democrats can lose control of Congress. The midterm elections in just under four weeks will decide what the current US president can do in the future. Including aid to Ukraine.
Should mass support for Ukraine run out, it could be fatal for the course of the war. Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia, is heavily dependent on arms supplies from the West. However, the seats in Congress allocated by the midterm elections in November will not be filled until January.