War in Ukraine
More billions in aid? Yes No Maybe. Zelenskyj’s sobering trip to the USA
Contemplative appearance: US President Joe Biden (r) and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyj were emphatically positive
© Evan Vucci / AP / DPA
Volodymyr Zelenskyj came for a clear yes and leaves with a vague maybe. The Ukrainian president’s fateful trip to the United States ended as it began: with a lot of doubts.
He was received like a rock star. In his speech to the US Congress there were standing ovations from both the right and the left. Back then, in what now feels like the distant year of 2022, Zelenskyj was a sought-after idol. Those in power and those who wanted to be there lined up for a selfie. The man in olive green as a brand ambassador for freedom, some said. A living cardboard cutout for political green-washing, the others thought. But only in secret. After all, everyone wanted to be friends. Consent as factory setting.
A year later the picture has changed. The allies are tired. And their wallets buttoned up. This made the pressure on Zelenskyj earlier this week before his third visit to… all the greater Washington burdened. There were big words in the room: the trip was “fateful” and possibly even “decisive” in the war. In the end there were more questions than answers.
Zelenskyj’s role reversal: from hero to supplicant
It was clear that Zelenskyj would not be greeted with fanfare this time. Ultimately, he came less as a celebrated freedom fighter, but primarily in his role as a supplicant. In fact, he mastered both roles then and now – only the focus has shifted. The situation is serious.
Kiev is running out of money, Washington is running out of patience. In the never-ending budget dispute, Republicans and Democrats are tearing each other apart Ukraine is increasingly coming under the wheels. The urgently needed new billions in aid have become the domestic political football of the rival parties. Just last week, the Senate rejected President Joe Biden’s package of measures worth more than $100 billion. Depending on who you ask, the Ukrainians will no longer be in a position to continue the faltering offensive in the east either by the end of the year or by the end of the winter. Nobody can say reliably what happens next. One thing is certain: time is running out.
Ukraine aid: Biden makes “no promises”
At a joint press conference on Tuesday evening, US President Joe announced Biden a further $200 million package – albeit from funds that have long since been released. The 81-year-old was extremely optimistic about the future. He was confident that Congress would somehow come to an agreement. However, he could make “no promises”. Translated: It’s not my fault! The decision-makers sit in the other corner. Also striking: Biden deviated from his usual vow of loyalty “as long as necessary” and instead resorted to the phrase “as long as we can”. The rock-solid alliance is crumbling, at least rhetorically.
But no matter how exuberantly Biden praised the courage of the Ukrainians, the bitter truth is: that’s no longer what it’s about. The billions in aid are a political bargaining chip that the conservatives want to use to “move” the Biden government to adopt a massively stricter border policy.
“It has nothing to do with you,” said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, according to the New York Times, referring to the guest from Europe. And he has a point when he says that Zelensky has a negligible influence on right-wing sentiments. He avoided getting involved in the US internal bickering and instead stuck to his tried and tested argument that the USA ultimately protect themselves when they protect Ukraine. However, this “old story” has lost some of its power.
Among other things, Zelenskyj also met with the number three in the state, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives. However, Mike Johnson subsequently made it clear that nothing had changed in his party’s position. The fear that the war will not be decided in Ukraine but in Washington has by no means diminished after Zelensky’s visit.
Bickering in the USA: a “virtually impossible” agreement
As is now usual, a large part of the Grand Old Party is unwilling to compromise. Democratic majority leader Chuck Schumer says they would use their absurd demands on immigration policy as an excuse. In reality, they had no interest in a deal.
In any case, the clock keeps ticking. It is “virtually impossible” that a solution to the border dispute will be found by Christmas, said Schumer’s Republican counterpart in the Senate, Mitch McConnell. So the Ukrainians have to continue to worry. Congress takes a break over the holidays. In contrast to war.
The expectations were high, the hopes were small. Zelensky will still be disappointed in the end. A year ago we went home with a clear yes. Today Zelensky has to make do with a vague maybe. He may still be well served by this. The reception is unlikely to get warmer – especially not if a certain Donald Trump moves into the White House again.
Sources: “New York Times“; “Politico”; “Washington Post“; DPA