(Washington) Joe Biden, who for the first time showed his concern on the subject on Wednesday, promised a “major speech” to demonstrate that it was “extremely important” to continue to support Ukraine militarily and financially.
The Democratic president also admitted that the chaos within the Republican Party, which is paralyzing one of the chambers of the American Congress, “worries” him about the future of this assistance.
The Republican leader of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, was ousted from his post on Tuesday due to a revolt by elected officials from the right wing of the Republican Party, who are particularly opposed to the release of additional funds for Kyiv.
“This worries me, but I know that there is a majority of elected officials in the House of Representatives and the Senate, in both parties, who have said that they support funding aid to Ukraine “, declared Joe Biden.
“I am always worried about a dysfunction,” he said again, the day after this historic impeachment.
Without repeating his usual assurances that the United States would continue to support Kyiv “as long as it takes”, the American president instead insisted that it was “in (the country’s) interest that Ukraine succeeds” in the face of Russia’s invasion.
“It is extremely important for the United States and our allies that we keep our promises,” said Joe Biden, aware of the risk of fatigue, not only in Congress, but more generally in American public opinion.
” Other ways ”
The Democrat did not want to say how long the United States would be able to continue its military and financial assistance if Congress does not adopt a new package, as requested by the White House.
Joe Biden only indicated that Washington had the means to finance “the next tranche” of aid and suggested that there were “other ways” to find funds, therefore without going through the parliamentary procedure.
However, he did not give further details.
On November 17, the American federal state risks finding itself without resources if Congress does not adopt an annual budget.
Even before the dismissal of “speaker” Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday, budgetary discussions were already stumbling over the question of aid to Ukraine, which certain Trumpist elected officials want to end without further ado.
“We brought together more than 50 nations […] To support Ukraine. We are the ones who organized this,” the American president argued again on Wednesday.
He spoke on Tuesday with the leaders of several countries allied with the United States to try to reassure them, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who said Thursday he was “convinced” that support from the United States would continue.
“I don’t believe we should let small political games get in the way” of the American commitment to Ukraine, Joe Biden said.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German institute that tracks aid to Ukraine, estimates that the United States has so far spent just under $75 billion on the country, including more than $42 billion in military assistance, through the delivery of sometimes heavy and sophisticated equipment.
This makes it the world’s largest contributor in absolute value.