Ukraine aid from US in doubt after Republicans in Senate blocks move

Washington, Dec 7: The Republicans in the US Senate on Thursday blocked a move to pass an aid bill for Ukraine after failing to secure border compromises they sought in exchange, the media reported. The $110bn (£87.3bn) package included $61bn for Ukraine, as well as funds for Israel and aid for Gaza, the BBC reported. The White House has warned that US funds for Ukraine could soon run out.
A Ukrainian official said that that failure to secure more US aid would mean a “very high possibility” that the war will be lost to Russia. While Republican members are generally in favour of aid to Ukraine, some have sought to use the issue as a way to address mounting domestic concerns over the US southern border. Senators – including every single Republican – voted 51 to 49 against advancing the bill, with 60 votes needed. The vote throws uncertainty into the future of aid for Ukraine and sends lawmakers back to the negotiating table with just days to go until the Congress has scheduled winter break. Republicans are insisting that any aid to Ukraine be tied to sweeping US immigration and asylum reforms, the BBC reported. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden said he was “willing to make significant compromises on the border” in order to get the aid bill passed. “This cannot wait,” he said, adding that “Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the greatest gift he could hope for”. On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced $175m in new security assistance for Ukraine from the supply of funding that has already been approved. The package includes ammunition, including missiles and artillery shells, as well as “equipment to protect critical national infrastructure”, the US Department of Defence said in a news statement. Concerns over the future of the $110bn package grew on Tuesday after a classified briefing for lawmakers aimed at shoring up support for new funds broke down spectacularly. (IANS)