2023-10-02 00:20:57
The approval of the US government spending bill was necessary to avoid a government shutdown, but this decision resulted in the suspension of funding to Ukraine.
The recent article by Wall Street Journal, titled “In US fights over aid to Ukraine, allies fear deeper global damage,” highlights growing tensions between the United States and Ukraine and their impact on international politics. The concern of US allies goes beyond the situation in Ukraine and reflects a broader concern about US credibility and global influence.
Credibility at risk The article highlights that US allies are concerned that if the US fails to successfully support Ukraine, its international credibility will be significantly damaged. This fear stems from the perception that the United States has invested a significant amount of political and military power in supporting Ukraine, and if it does not achieve its goals, its global influence will suffer.
The erosions of faith in the United States In recent years, the United States has seen its allies’ confidence in their commitment to international commitments erode. This has been highlighted by the chaotic retreat from Afghanistan, threats to abandon NATO, and abrupt changes in US foreign policy. These events have led many allies to question the coherence of American foreign policy and its reliability.
The Impact on the International Order The article highlights that further erosion of US global influence could undermine the rules-based international order that the US helped build after World War II. The United States’ tendency to favor bilateral and small-group agreements over multilateral organizations has raised questions about its willingness to meaningfully engage in international cooperation.
The decision not to send aid to Ukraine
The article mentions a significant event that triggered this concern: the decision of the leader of the Republican Party and speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthyto gather votes to keep the US government open, but cutting off all funding to Ukraine. The Senate quickly accepted this decision, passing the bill eliminating all funds intended for Ukraine.
The publication Breitbart reports:
The legislation passed overwhelmingly, 88-9. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Rand Paul (R-KY), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and J.D. Vance (R-OH) voted against the legislation.
Many Senate Democrats were frustrated that the bill did not include aid to Ukraine.
Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO) delayed a vote on the bill until he secured a commitment from Senate leadership to vote on a supplemental aid bill to Ukraine. (…) But this aid could arrive very late if positive. “I am confident that the Senate will grant additional urgent assistance to Ukraine before the end of the year“, he added.
US President Joe Biden signed the bill to keep the government open, but made it clear that there is no new funding to support Ukraine.
The concerns of a Military Expert
The article also quotes the words of retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel John Nagl of the United States Army War College, who warns that Ukraine now faces its greatest threat not from Russia, but by political dysfunction in Washington. This statement highlights the importance of a coherent foreign policy and continued commitment to allies.
Conclusions
In summary, the Wall Street Journal article highlights the growing tensions between the United States and Ukraine and their impact on the global credibility of the United States. Allies fear that a lack of effective support for Ukraine could undermine confidence in the United States’ ability to meet its international commitments.
While the Wall Street Journal urges the US government to be coherentin reality this situation highlights the need for the United States to address the problems by taking note of the current situation, so as not to worsen it irreversibly and to move towards greater multilateralism.
***
Related:
Il Sole 24 Ore – United States, shutdown avoided but the 6 billion for Ukraine suspended Repubblica – United States, green light to avoid the shutdown Rainews – US support, but with the Congress divided: the Republicans…
#suspended #funding #Ukraine