The clock has continued to mark the hours in Washington since December and not in favor of the interests of the Ukrainians, who see the injections of billions of dollars from the coffers of the United States to fight the Russian invader at risk.
President Joe Biden received his Ukrainian counterpart and his wife with congratulations at the White House this Thursday. The couple also made an emotional visit to the Pentagon, their first, where they laid flowers at the memorial for the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the head of the armed forces, Gen. Mark Milley, played host and discussed weaponry and military strategies.
But far-right Republicans censured his second visit to the Capitol since the start of the war. Kevin McCarthy, president of the Lower House, is trapped by the blackmail of the extremists – he surrenders or they force his resignation -, who refuse to continue supporting Kyiv. They doubt how the money is spent and argue that it should first be invested in the border with Mexico because of “the invasion of immigrants”.
So McCarthy denied a speech by Zelenski to both legislative bodies. He excused his decision because “this is a very busy week”. He also did not allow the Ukrainian to meet behind closed doors with congressmen or to explain to them why it is important to help his country. Those who wanted to hear his clarifications met him outside the Capitol.
Nine months ago, Zelenski was greeted with a red carpet. He was a hero. The then Speaker of the Lower House, Nancy Pelosi, summoned the congressmen for an intervention by the guest of honor. Pelosi herself and Vice President Kamala Harris, in her capacity as president of the Senate, held a Ukrainian flag.
The comedian turned wartime president captivated both sides. As if he were still on stage, he achieved public and critical success in his appeal for help to curb the axis of evil between Russia and Iran. “Your money is not charity,” he said. The next day, Congress approved a $45 billion spending bill.
His return to the Capitol yesterday had a less warm air. This is demonstrated by McCarthy, who inherited Pelosi’s mace in January. He met with him, but refused to record the typical greeting video. He gives a bad image to the radicals and knows how to spend them. That same day, the ultras embarrassed him again when they blocked the process to bring the army financing project to a vote in the chamber. “It’s frustrating, it seems that they want to burn everything”, he confessed composedly.
McCarthy spoke with Zelenski, expressed his support for Ukraine and said he is willing to revise the $24 billion aid package, but qualified that Biden must address the issue of the border with Mexico before filling the coffers of Kyiv. In order to avoid another blush, this package of 24,000 million does not intend to be put to a vote. The Republicans are considering cutting the funds for this military financing project to satisfy the ultras.
Yes, they received him in the Senate. The head of the Republican majority, Chuck Schumer, who regretted McCarthy’s attitude, summoned the hundred senators. Zelenski reiterated his request for F-16 fighters and long-range missiles. “You put the boilers, we the lives. If you don’t help us we will lose the war”, he told them. Of course, some Republicans retorted when they came out and said enough is enough, to go ask Europe. The US has sent about 113 billion there.
At the White House, Biden planned to announce another $325 million, mostly for air defense. It could be the last. The president’s hands are tied from September 30, when the fiscal year ends. Conservative extremists, emboldened by Donald Trump, want the government to shut down for default unless everything they demand is accepted. Ukraine is not on the list.
