White House reports on negotiations with Republicans on aid to Ukraine
The Biden administration is actively negotiating financial assistance to Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden believes that negotiations with the Republican Party to unblock aid to Ukraine are moving "in the right direction", reveals Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary.
"We feel like the conversations are going in the right direction. That’s very important. Obviously, it’s critical for Congress to move forward with our national security supplemental. And so, negotiations, conversations are certainly going to continue. And so, we hope that it moves quickly. We’re asking congressional Republicans to not hold this up. We’ve been very, very clear about that," said the press secretary.
Jean-Pierre also noted that further support from the United States is critical for Ukraine, particularly because of the difficult situation on the battlefield of the war with Russia.
Difficulties with U.S. assistance to Ukraine
Over the past two months, a political confrontation between Republicans and Democrats has erupted in the U.S. Congress over a package of financial assistance for Ukraine's defense needs.
In late October, U.S. President Joe Biden proposed that Congress approve a $106 billion package to help Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Of this amount, more than $61 billion was to be used to purchase weapons for Ukraine.
However, on December 6, the Senate blocked the start of debate on Biden's bill. Republicans are demanding that the document include a tougher set of measures to protect the southern U.S. border with Mexico.
The White House is ready to compromise on toughening border crossing rules for migrants to get the GOP's votes to approve financial aid to Ukraine.
On December 20, U.S. Senate leaders announced that funding would not be approved by the end of 2023.
The White House hopes that the Senate will approve Biden's package for Ukraine in January 2024.
