How Ukraine became “border hostage” in US congress

The attention of many Ukrainians is drawn to the US Congress, where the fate of further financial aid for Ukraine is to be decided. It may look that Ukraine has lost bipartisan support, which has allowed it to rely on American aid for almost two years. Fortunately, this is not the case.

Why, then, has Congress not passed any decision on aid to Ukraine in the last two months? The aid has become a hostage to domestic political competition. This was due to the Republicans in the House of Representatives unwilling to link assistance to Ukraine and Israel.

Now, it is due to the migration crisis on the southern US borders. Red more about the conditions, which will make Republicans support new funds to Ukraine and whether Democrats and the Biden administration will agree to these conditions, in the article by Oleh Pavliuk, European Pravda journalist - Biden's Ultimatum: Under What Conditions Will US Congress Approve Funding for Ukraine. The US Senate has become themain platform for negotiating additional funds for Ukraine.

There have been long negotiations between Republicans and Democrats about a compromise, but it became known earlier this week that they had failed. There is almost no time left for Congress to adopt any decision regarding assistance to Ukraine. Lawmakers from both chambers will be in session until 14 December, and then they will go home for winter holidays.

Congress will not be able to approve any additional funding after that, and only the funds from a Pentagon accounting error will remain in the White House. The absence of approved long-term funding affects not only military assistance to Ukraine but is also critically important for macro-financial assistance. Although the White House has tried various arguments in recent weeks to influence Republicans.

The prospects for a compromise on additional funding for Ukraine are currently in limbo. The Ukrainian side, however, expresses optimism publicly. What actions do Republicans demand from the Joe Biden administration?

Primarily, steps to strengthen control over the 3,145-kilometer border between the US and Mexico. Temporary holding facilities at the border are full. There is no space in reception centers for asylum seekers with a permission to enter the US.

They are awaiting legalisation, especially in states led by Democrats, who openly criticise the White House for this. The Joe Biden administration has decided to tackle the surge in migration on the US-Mexico border on two tracks. What do Republicans say about this?

They accuse Democrats of declaring an "open border" policy between the US and Mexico. Republicans believe that the Democrats' proposal to address the root causes of migration to the US does not produce immediate results and is more expensive. They argue that the focus should be on restricting the possibility of crossing the border in general.

Republicans demand not so much money as a review of the current US immigration policy because. They believe Democrats and Biden are to blame for the record numbers of asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border in recent months. Thus, Kyiv has become a hostage to the southern US border.

Whether it will be resolved in the coming days is still unknown.

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