Ukraine’s victory over Russia appears even more unlikely after Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would send vital aid for their war effort.
The aid bill would have provided $61bn for Ukraine, but was blocked after Senate Republicans failed to secure the border compromises they were after in exchange for passing the bill.
US funds for Ukraine are going to run out in the near future, raising questions over their ability to win the war against Russia. A Ukrainian official said there is a “very high possibility” his country will loose the war as a result of this failure to secure more aid.
Republican Senators are generally in favour of aid to Ukraine, but some have used the issue to address mounting concerns over the US southern border. Every single one voted against advancing the bill.
In total, the votes were 51 to 49 against, with 60 votes needed to pass it. Now more than ever, concerns over Ukraine’s ability to win the war are mounting.
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It also sends lawmakers back to negotiating, just days before Congress’ winter break, as Republicans continue to insist that Ukrainian aid must be tied to immigration and asylum reforms.
Joe Biden said he was “willing to make significant compromises on the border” in order to get the aid bill passed, but this was not enough.
The prospect of US aid drying up has left many Ukrainians despondent and fearful that their country will loose the war. Tetyana, a Kyiv resident whose son is on the frontline, told the BBC: “Of course we need support, we are protecting the whole of Europe. We need more weapons because our children are dying.”
The bill needed nine Republican votes to advance, but this was ultimately not met. Further negotiations will follow, but it is unlikely that a conclusion will be reached or a bill passed before the scheduled winter break.
Even if the bill does eventually pass, it must still go through the House of Representatives, which will not be an easy task. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he cannot pass any Ukraine aid if the bill does not also include significant border security measures.
Ukrainian officials have made it clear that US aid is vital to their war effort as the country begins to struggle in its resistance of the Russians and re-taking occupied territory.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US has given over $110bn in aid to Ukraine. Most of this has already been distributed, creating fears that it will dry up altogether very soon.
