Defying US President Biden's Pleas The US Senate Delays Ukraine Aid Talks Until The Beginning Of Next Year

 

Bloomberg: Ukraine Aid Delayed With US Congress Giving Up on Deal This Year  

Ukraine heads into the new year with dwindling weapons stockpiles and no guarantee of more US aid. 

US lawmakers, who have been at an impasse over more than $60 billion in fresh assistance for Ukraine as its war with Russia approaches its third year, abandoned efforts to reach a deal before leaving Washington for a holiday break. 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged Tuesday that a last-minute push to reach agreement with Republicans required more time. GOP lawmakers are demanding more restrictive US border and immigration policies in exchange for the war aid. 

“This is just a difficult issue,” Schumer told reporters at the Capitol. “Our goal is to get something done as soon as we get back.”

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Expect one more aid package to be announced by the White House but after that it is over .... US sending one last aid package to Ukraine before funding dries up: White House (Business Insider). More here .... US says it will run out of funds for Ukraine this month (Politico). 

I am not going to sugarcoat this. This delay is a disaster for Ukraine's war effort. They need ammo desperately. I am already seeing numerous videos of Russia military forces crossing fields and approaching Ukraine's front-lines without encountering any artillery fire from Ukrainian forces. Without this US military aid it looks like this Ukrainian commander's warning from a few days ago will become the reality for a good portion of the Ukraine Army this winter .... Senior Ukrainian Commander Says His Troops Are Facing Artillery Shortages And Are Being Forced To Scale Back Some Operations (December 18, 2023). More here .... Ukraine forced to cut back military operations due to ammo shortages as Western aid delayed (The Independent).  

Update: Talk about sending the wrong message to Ukraine .... No ‘magic pot’ of money for Ukraine – US State Dept (RT). 

US Senate Delays Ukraine Aid Talks Until The Beginning Of Next Year  

Defying Biden’s plea, Congress skips town without passing aid for Ukraine, Israel -- Washington Times

 US Senate leaders say deal on Ukraine aid not expected before year's end -- France 24  

US Senate delays vote on Ukraine aid package until 2024 -- RTE  

US Senate shelves Ukraine aid talks for 2023 -- RT

Ukraine Aid In Limbo As White House And Senate Negotiators Race To Reach Border Deal

 

CNN: White House and Senate negotiators race to reach a border deal, with Ukraine aid on the line 

Democrats and Republicans will not be able to strike a deal on US southern border policy changes this year, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday, following weeks of negotiations over tying tighter immigration restrictions to supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel.

Republicans, Graham said during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” “feel that we’re being jammed. 

We’re not anywhere close to a deal. It’ll go into next year.” Democrats and Republicans are urgently trying to reach an agreement on border policy changes before senators leave town for the holidays, but several congressional aides are skeptical a deal can be reached as sizable differences remain. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Ukraine Aid Remains in Limbo as Congress Nears Recess (VOA) 

Update #2: Lawmakers ‘encouraged’ by border security talks, but timing of deal uncertain (The Hill)  

WNU Editor: It looks like a deal is not going to be reached anytime soon .... Senate Negotiators Fail to Reach Agreement on Border Framework (Wall Street Journal).

Ukraine President Zelensky Has A Meeting Major U.S. Defense Contractors In Washington DC Yesterday

 

Newsweek: Zelensky's Meeting With US Defense Contractors Sparks Backlash 

Ukraine's efforts to garner further support in the U.S.'s private defense sector have sparked criticism, as Kyiv races to shore up Congressional backing for its fight against Moscow into the new year. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he had met with the heads of several U.S.-based defense companies, expressing his "gratitude to every American worker who manufactures weapons that help us safeguard our people and defend our land." 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: For the past month Ukraine President Zelensky has been pushing this idea to arms manufacturers .... Zelenskyy in US shares idea to create European defence hub in Ukraine (Ukrainska Pravda). A prediction .... there will be no European defence hub in Ukraine.  

Update #1: This is Ukraine's wish list when it comes to weapons and arms .... Ukraine's ambitious US weapons wish list includes F-18 Hornet fighter jets, Apache helicopters, and giant transport planes (Business Insider).  

Update #2: Sad but probably true (see below).

The grift is right in our faces. No one bothers to conceal who the real stakeholders are in the Ukraine war.

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) December 12, 2023

The White House Has A Plan To Send Arms To Ukraine Despite Aid Stalemate With Congress

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky meeting US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. © Telegram / Ukrainian presidency  

Bloomberg: Pentagon Has a Workaround to Send Ukraine Arms Despite Aid Stalemate 

(Bloomberg) -- The White House warns it will run out of money by the end of the year to keep sending Ukraine military aid unless Congress breaks a funding deadlock. 

But analysts and lawmakers say there’s a workaround that means the deadline isn’t quite so tight. The tactic: Continue to provide arms from US stockpiles in hopes of waiting until later for the money to replace them. 

According to Pentagon estimates, the US can still send Ukraine military hardware valued at $4.6 billion under what’s called Presidential Drawdown Authority. Yet it only has $1 billion to buy new equipment to replace the old.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This aid will not be enough. It will only serve as a temporary measure.  

Update: This is the impression that I am also getting .... US wants Ukraine to fight Russia on tighter budget – NYT (RT). The New York Times article (behind a paywall) is here .... U.S. and Ukraine Search for a New Strategy After Failed Counteroffensive (New York Times).

Republicans Not On Board With President Biden's Military Aid Package For Ukraine

 

The Guardian: Zelenskiy struggles to get US Republicans to back $61bn Ukraine military aid package  

Republicans want Democrats to agree to crackdown on immigration in return for supporting funds 

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has struggled to persuade US Republicans to support a $61bn military aid package for Ukraine on a trip to Washington DC, with objectors insisting on White House concessions on border security as a condition for a deal. 

The Ukrainian president addressed members of the Senate in a closed 90-minute meeting on Tuesday morning, but afterwards key Republicans repeated that they wanted to see a crackdown on immigration between the US and Mexico in return for supporting the package.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The rhetoric from some Republicans have been brutal .... Zelensky’s visit ‘disgraceful’ – US senator (RT). 

Update: This failure by Ukrainian President Zelensky to gain support from Republicans for aid is now resonating in Ukraine .... Ukraine faces a daunting winter after Zelensky can’t convince Republicans to move quickly on new aid (CNN). One of my Ukrainian cousins who supports Zelensky told me this morning that she is now accepting the depressing fact that the US is reaching its limits to providing aid to Ukraine. 

 Republicans Not On Board With President Biden's Military Aid Package For Ukraine  

Zelenskyy appears to strike out in quest for additional Ukraine aid from Washington -- National Post/AP  

Zelensky Doesn’t Appear to Convince Republicans on Ukraine Aid During Congress Visit -- Time  

Republicans Sideline Zelensky With Border Demands, Imperiling Aid Package -- New York Times  

Johnson on Ukraine deal: ‘National security begins at our own borders’ -- The Hill 

Republicans say Zelensky visit won’t change GOP demands on immigration -- CNN

With President Zelensky Standing Next To Him U.S. President Biden Pushes For Aid To Ukraine

 

Daily Mail: Biden says Putin is 'banking' on U.S. stopping billions in aid to Zelensky and accuses Republicans of 'turning their backs on freedom' by holding aid 'hostage' with 'extreme' border demands 

 * Biden and Zelensky end their afternoon of meetings with joint press conference 

 * Biden slammed Republicans for holding up funding for Ukraine, saying 'if you're being celebrated by Russian propagandists, it might be time to rethink' 

 * Zelensky shot down any suggestion Ukraine would give up its territory to make a peace settlement with Russia: 'That is insane' Joe Biden said 

Vladimir Putin is 'banking on the U.S. failing to deliver for Ukraine' and accused Republicans of 'turning their backs on freedom's cause.' 

In a press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House the U.S. President said 'extreme' Republicans would be 'judged harshly' by history for trying to make military aid to Ukraine conditional on there also being a plan for more security at the border with Mexico. 

Biden said 'holding Ukraine funding hostage' was not the way to get a deal on security for the southern American border and attacked what he claimed was Republicans' 'partisan' agenda.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: I am definitely surprised that all that Zelensky got out of this trip after being told by the White House to show up was a measly $200 million .... Biden Administration Announces New Security Assistance for Ukraine (US Department of Defense). I expected at least $1 billion. Not surprising. Russian media is taking note on this low number .... Biden pledges $200 million for Ukraine after Zelensky meeting (RT).  

Update: It looks like Ukraine's aid package will only be looked at after the Christmas and New Years holidays .... Ukraine aid threatens to fall through cracks as Republicans, Democrats play blame game (FOX News).  

Update #2: I also noticed the change in language from the US President .... Biden promises Ukraine support 'for as long as we can' but subtle language change will make Zelenskyy shudder (SKY News).  

Update #3: Supporters in the media of providing aid to Ukraine are signalling alarm .... US credibility is on the line in Ukraine funding debate (AP). 

U.S. President Biden Pushes For Aid To Ukraine  

Zelensky, Biden give joint press conference as US aid for Ukraine hangs in the balance -- France 24  

Failure to pass Ukraine funding bill would be "greatest Christmas gift" to Putin, Biden says during Zelenskyy visit -- CBS News

 Biden warns of "Christmas gift" to Putin as GOP shrugs off Zelensky visit -- Axios  

Joe Biden says US will back Ukraine 'as long as we can' -- Financial Times 

Zelensky pleads for more US help amid aid standoff -- BBC

Financial Times Poll: Half Of US Voters Believe The U.S. Is Giving Ukraine Too Much Aid

The Hill: Nearly half in new survey say US spending too much on Ukraine aid 

Nearly half of voters in a new survey said the United States is spending too much on aid for Ukraine, which comes just ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington. 

The Financial Times-Michigan Ross poll found that 48 percent of voters said the U.S. was spending “too much” on sending financial and military aid to Ukraine. Twenty-seven percent said the U.S. was spending the right amount, and 11 percent said the U.S. was not spending enough. 

Republicans were more likely to say the U.S. is spending too much, with 65 percent saying so. About half of independent voters and 32 percent of Democrats said the U.S. was spending too much.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Nearly Half Think U.S. Spending Too Much on Ukraine (Politial Wire)  

Update #2: Almost half of Americans think Ukraine is getting too much money – poll (RT)  

WNU Editor: The Financial Times poll is here .... Nearly half of US voters think Joe Biden is spending too much on Ukraine aid. 

AP conducted a similar poll a few weeks ago, and it came to the same conclusion .... Nearly half of Americans think the US is spending too much on Ukraine aid, an AP-NORC poll says (AP).

U.S. President Biden Will Host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky At The White House Tomorrow

 

Washington Post: Biden invites Zelensky to Washington amid Ukraine funding fight 

President Biden will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House this week, the administration announced Sunday, as Congress looks increasingly unlikely to pass additional funding for Ukraine and as U.S. officials warn that the country will run out of money by the end of the year to fight against Russia’s invasion. 

Zelensky also will meet with some congressional leaders on Tuesday. Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) invited Zelensky to speak to senators Tuesday morning, according to a Senate leadership aide. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will also meet with Zelensky, spokesman Raj Shah said on X, formerly Twitter.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Zelensky will also be meeting the Republican House Speaker .... Speaker Johnson will meet with Zelensky during US visit (The Hill). 

U.S. media is not optimistic that Zelensky will be successful on this trip .... Zelensky faces impossible task ahead of meetings in Washington (CNN). 

U.S. President Biden Will Host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky At The White House Tomorrow  

Zelensky to meet with Biden, Republicans as war funding dries up -- AFP 

Zelenskiy to visit Washington in bid to break Senate deadlock on Ukraine aid -- The Guardian  

Ukraine war: Zelensky heads to US in bid to rescue $60bn military aid -- BBC  

Zelenskyy will meet Biden at the White House amid push for Congress to approve more aid -- Euronews  

Biden to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at White House Tuesday -- CNN  

Zelensky to visit White House for war aid talks with Biden -- The Telegraph  

Zelensky plans D.C. trip as Ukraine aid hangs in the balance -- Axios

U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer Says Western Aid To Ukraine Will Force Russia To Negotiate By The End Of 2024

 

 New Voice of Ukraine: US hopes that Ukraine aid will force Russia to negotiate by end of 2024 — official 

 Sustained Western aid to Ukraine will compel Russia to negotiate on terms favorable to Kyiv by the end of 2024, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer said on Dec. 8. 

"We want to position Ukraine in such a way by the end of next year that Russia will have to decide whether to come to the negotiating table with conditions acceptable to Ukraine..., or confront a stronger Ukraine," Finer said at the Aspen Security Forum, quoted by Interfax-Ukraine.

Finer believes that a more robust industrial base in the United States and Europe, which will enhance the capabilities of both the U.S. and Ukrainian military industries, will help power a new counteroffensive.  

Read more ....  

Update: U.S. expects Ukraine-Russia negotiations on favorable terms by end of 2024 (RBC Ukraine)  

WNU Editor: The U.S. has already poured tens of billions into Ukraine and it did not forced Russia to the negotiating table. That is why I am skeptical that an additional transfer of weapons and monies to Kyiv is going to force the Kremlin to the negotiating table.

US Army Says It Has Not Yet Been Strained In Supplying Ammunition And Equipment To Both Israel and Ukraine

In this April 2022 photo, US Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Brown, right, with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, checks pallets of 155 mm shells ultimately bound for Ukraine, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Alex Brandon/AP  

Bloomberg: US Army Says It’s Not Yet Strained by Supplying Both Israel and Ukraine 

 (Bloomberg) -- US Army ammunition and equipment inventories aren’t yet being strained by supplying both Israel and Ukraine the Army’s top weapons buyer said Thursday, although he warned that could change as the conflicts drag on. 

“We’ve done munitions of many types, for everything from helicopters to artillery” for Israel, Douglas Bush, assistant secretary for acquisition, said at a conference in Washington. “But nothing where it was so far, at least, a direct competition with what was already planned to go to Ukraine.”  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The White House has a different point of view .... White House warns it is ‘out of money and nearly out of time’ to aid Ukraine (The Guardian).

US Senate Republicans Block $105 Billion Ukraine, Israel, And Taiwan Military Aid Bill Over Border Dispute

 

Reuters: US Senate Republican Block Ukraine, Israel Aid Bill Over Border Dispute 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -An emergency spending bill to provide billions of dollars in new security assistance for Ukraine and Israel was blocked in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as Republicans pressed their demands for tougher measures to control immigration at the U.S. border with Mexico. 

The vote was 49 in favor to 51 against, leaving the $110.5 billion measure short of the 60 votes needed in the 100-member Senate to pave the way to start debate, threatening President Joe Biden's push to provide new aid before the end of 2023. 

The vote was along party lines, with every Senate Republican voting no along with Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who generally votes with Democrats but had expressed concerns about funding Israel's "current inhumane military strategy" against Palestinians.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like this aid bill will only be addressed again after the holidays .... Senators anxiously eye calendar as national security bill languishes (Axios).  

Update: Ukraine is still hopeful .... Ukraine still hopeful for US aid package after Senate setback (BBC). 

Update #2: The Kremlin has responded .... Kremlin Says Hopes U.S. Congress Will Block Future Ukraine Aid (Moscow Times/AFP). More here .... Kremlin Says It Hopes US Congress Will Block Future Ukraine Aid (Kyiv Post). 

US Senate Republicans Block $105 Billion Ukraine, Israel, And Taiwan Military Aid Bill Over Border Dispute  

Senate Republicans block Ukraine, Israel funding bill -- The Hill  

GOP lawmakers block Biden security aid to Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific, press for more border funding -- FOX News  

U.S. Senate Blocks Ukrainian Aid Package Despite Pleas From White House -- RFE  

Senate Republicans block funding bill that included aid for Ukraine and Israel -- The Guardian  

War supplemental stymied in Senate over border holdup -- Roll Call

Classified U.S. Senate Briefing Devolves Into A Shouting Match Over Border Security And Aid To Ukraine

 

CNN: Classified briefing devolves into shouting as senators fight over border provisions in Ukraine-Israel aid package 

A classified briefing Tuesday on Ukraine devolved into a shouting match about border security as senators described a tense meeting that did little to break the Senate’s stalemate over whether to include tighter immigration policies in the aid package. 

The meeting came as Republican senators have warned they are prepared to vote against advancing a more than $100 billion supplemental national security package unless it includes major border policy changes, casting doubt on whether the aid will pass this year.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: So much for this being a classified briefing. It looks like some US Senators are now finally seeing the light that the Ukraine war is a lost cause, and they are making their feelings public. And while I personally believe the US Congress will provide some aid to Ukraine, it will be far short of the $61 billion that President Biden has requested. And as for Republican demands to address the broken state of the US border, I predict that this issue will be kicked into next year. 

Classified U.S. Senate Briefing Devolves Into A Shouting Match Over Border Security And Aid To Ukraine 

Senate Republicans to block Ukraine funding after tempers flare at classified briefing -- The Hill  

Republicans storm out of briefing as Congress battles over Israel and Ukraine aid package -- NBC  

US senators clash during Ukraine briefing after Zelensky cancels planned video meeting -- Le Monde  

GOP senators walk out of briefing over lack of border support in Ukraine aid package -- UPI  

Dem anger boils over at linking border with Ukraine -- Politico  

Republican border demands could derail Ukraine aid -- BBC

Senators Are on Collision Course in Ukraine-Aid Vote -- Wall Street Journal  

Clock ticks down on Ukraine aid as Senate border talks falter -- The Hill

Zelensky Cancels US Senate Address On Ukraine Aid Package

 

BBC: Zelensky abruptly cancels US Senate briefing amid funding row 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called off a high-profile briefing with US lawmakers amid an impasse over future US funding for the country. 

Virtual appearances in the Senate and House had been scheduled for Tuesday, but were cancelled at the last moment.

It came after a top Ukrainian official warned they are in danger of losing the war against Russia if more US military aid is not approved. 

Senate leader Chuck Schumer did not explain why Mr Zelensky was a no-show. The chamber's top Democrat said the Ukrainian president was occupied with a "last-minute" matter, without providing further detail.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This was a meeting that he had to attend. That is why there is now a lot of speculation on why he cancelled at the last moment (see video below). 

The US media narrative is that he cancelled because the Republicans were not going to bend on giving him tens of billions in aid until their priorities on the US-Mexico border are addressed. My Ukrainian contacts tell me a different story. They tell me that he has been facing a revolt from his top generals and field commanders on the direction of the war, and it has gotten worse in the past few days. He had to focus and spend time on handling that crisis, and not making a pitch to a bunch of US Senators who will help him as much as as they can. This Politico.eu post adds credence to these reports .... Ukraine’s tensions at the top spill into the open (Politico.eu). 

Sighhh ....

I know there is a lot of despair in Ukraine right now. The overwhelming mood right now is of exhaustion and impending defeat. At least that is what I am hearing and sensing when I talk to my Ukrainian contacts, friends, and family members. 

They are also telling me the same thing. If this US aid is not forthcoming, the front-lines in the eastern part of the conflict will be overwhelmed by the Russian military in the coming months. And while the Ukraine army will not collapse, they will have to abandon major territory to the Russians. 

As to what is my take. 

Absent a collapse of the Ukraine Army (which I do not see), a major loss of territory to the Russian military will be a devastating psychological blow to both Ukraine and its allies. In a war of attrition there is always a breaking point. It looks like Ukraine is about to face their "breaking point" sooner rather than later.

  

Zelensky Cancels US Senate Address On Ukraine Aid Package  

Zelenskiy unable to attend Senate briefing on Ukraine aid; Schumer blames Republicans for impasse – as it happened -- The Guardian

Zelensky cancels Senate address as US lawmakers row over Ukraine funding -- France 24 

Zelensky abruptly cancels US Senate address as aid for Ukraine war hits dead end -- The Independent  

Zelensky cancels Congress briefing as Republicans walk out over Ukraine funding -- The Telegraph 

Zelensky Abruptly Cancels Address To Senators, Lashes Out At Failure To Secure More Taxpayer Funds -- Zero Hedge

White House Warns Congress It Is ‘Out Of Money And Nearly Out Of Time’ To Aid Ukraine

 

The Hill: White House warns it will run out of money for Ukraine unless Congress acts by end of year  

The White House sounded the alarm Monday that it will run out of money to provide weapons to Ukraine in its fight against Russia without congressional action by the end of the year. 

In a letter to congressional leaders, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young wrote the government is “out of money—and nearly out of time” to continue giving aid to Ukraine.The White House pleaded with Congress to act on a supplemental funding request first submitted in October, arguing it is of critical importance to U.S. national security.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The mood in Ukraine has definitely changed in the past few weeks. All of my contacts/friends/and family members are saying the same thing. They expect the U.S. will be abandoning Ukraine in the coming months. 

I have a different point of view. I predict the White House and Congress will find a way to continue to fund the war, and it may come this week .... US senators to be briefed on Ukraine this week amid heated negotiations on emergency aid (FOX News). 

White House Warns Congress It Is ‘Out Of Money And Nearly Out Of Time’ To Aid Ukraine  

US nearly out of money to help Ukraine fight Russia, White House warns Congress -- AP  

White House warns it is ‘out of money and nearly out of time’ to aid Ukraine -- The Guardian

 'We are out of money': White House pushes to pass stalled Ukraine aid -- Politico  

White House: U.S. could run out of funds for Ukraine aid if Congress doesn't act -- Axios  

US is running out of money for Ukraine and that could hinder fight against Russia, White House warns -- Canadian Press

AP-NORC Poll Says Half Of Americans Believe The U.S. Is Spending Too Much On Ukraine Aid

U.S. military aid to Ukraine in October under the Presidential Drawdown Authority was the lowest in nearly a year and a half. November may be worse. 

 PBS/AP: Almost half of Americans think U.S. spending too much on Ukraine aid, AP-NORC poll says 

As lawmakers in Washington weigh sending billions more in federal support to Kyiv to help fight off Russian aggression, close to half of the U.S. public thinks the country is spending too much on aid to Ukraine, according to polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. 

Those sentiments, driven primarily by Republicans, help explain the hardening opposition among conservative GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill who are rebuffing efforts from President Joe Biden to approve a new tranche of Ukraine aid, arguing that the money would be better spent for domestic priorities. 

Yet opposition to aid is down slightly from where it was a month ago in another AP-NORC poll. Now, 45% say the U.S. government is spending too much on aid to Ukraine in the war against Russia, compared with 52% in October. That shift appears to come mostly from Republicans: 59% now say too much is spent on Ukraine aid, but that’s down from 69% in October. 

Nonetheless, the Republican resistance to continued Ukraine aid remains strong.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Almost half in new poll say too much money is going to Ukraine (The Hill)  

Update #2: Americans tiring of Ukraine war spending – poll (RT)  

WNU Editor: Polls or not I am still predicting a major Ukraine aid package being passed by the U.S. Congress in the coming weeks/months.

US Congressional Leaders Are Pushing To Pass A Ukraine And Israel Aid Package Before Christmas

 

NBC: Congressional leaders are aiming to pass Ukraine and Israel supplemental aid before Christmas  

If Congress fails to move before the end of the year, Senate sources say, the chances of getting the entire plan over the finish line reduce dramatically. 

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders are hoping to muster a supplemental package to aid the war efforts in Ukraine and Israel, as well as make improvements to the U.S. immigration system, by the end of the year, according to multiple people involved in discussions.

The ambitious timeline would mean striking a deal that satisfies the funding requested by the Department of Defense to aid conflict zones, while simultaneously crafting an immigration package that not only provides resources for border security but includes a suite of policy changes to appease conservatives without alienating progressive Democrats. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Time is running short .... Time running short for US military aid to Ukraine – NBC (RT), and not everyone is on board .... Majority of Republicans oppose Ukraine aid as partisan divide grows: poll (Axios).

No U.S. Aid To Ukraine Until (Maybe) Next Month

 

Bloomberg: Ukraine Aid From US Won’t Be Approved for a Month, Maybe Longer 

New US aid for Ukraine risks slipping to mid-December and maybe longer, casting doubt on Washington’s ability to keep up the flow of weapons that both the Biden administration and the Ukrainian government say is vital. 

Ukraine’s congressional backers are engaged in a tough battle over an expansive aid package whose fate is now enmeshed in a partisan fight over border policies and torn from must-pass bills that would prompt swift action. 

The soonest Congress could complete negotiations and pass new Ukraine assistance is mid-December, nearly two months after President Joe Biden first requested $61 billion for the country in its war against Russia. The US has begun restricting the flow of military assistance because of the wait, according to a Defense Department spokeswoman.  

Read more ....  

Update: Biden signs funding bill that excludes Ukraine (RT)  

WNU Editor: I still believe a US aid package to Ukraine will be approved in the coming months. But it is going to be nowhere near the $61 billion that President Biden has requested.

US Announces 50th Weapons Package For Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: Pallets of munitions bound for Ukraine are seen inside a commercial aircraft at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, January 13, 2023. (Credit: US Air Force / Airman 1st Class Amanda Jett)  

Reuters: US plans $425 million Ukraine weapons aid announcement 

The Biden administration plans to announce a $425 million military aid package for Ukraine on Friday including counter drone rockets and munitions, two U.S. officials said on Thursday. 

The package is not expected to include additional ATACMS missiles. Senior congressional Republicans have urged President Joe Biden to send longer-range missiles to Ukraine, despite pushback from some conservative lawmakers against more aid. 

The planned aid package for Ukraine includes about $300 million worth of laser-guided munitions to shoot down Russian drones, according to a document seen by Reuters and one of the officials. The funds for those munitions come from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) program, which allows the Biden administration to buy weapons from industry rather than pull from U.S. weapons stocks.  

Read more ....  

Update: US Announces New $425 Million Weapons Package for Ukraine (Libertarian Institute)  

WNU Editor: Here is the list on what is being sent .... Biden Administration Announces New Security Assistance for Ukraine (US Department of Defense).

Are The U.S. Administration's Bills On Israel, Ukraine Aid 'Dead On Arrival' In Both House And Senate?

🚨What every American should know about Biden's $105B aid package-
It leverages the attacks against Israel to send BILLONS more to Ukraine, slows down Israel from getting the help they need in their time of war, does nothing to actually secure our borders, & is DOA in the House. pic.twitter.com/Ytf3V4mhMS

— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) October 28, 2023

Zero Hedge: Bills On Israel, Ukraine 'Dead On Arrival' In Both House And Senate As Shutdown, Funding Battles Gear Up 

As the nation celebrates Halloween, the House and Senate are engaged in some spooky late-stage Republic chaos over aid to Israel and Ukraine amid a backdrop of yet another government shutdown looming in two weeks. 

* The government will run out of money (again) in roughly two weeks, requiring Congress to act (again). 

* According to Democrats and GOP Neocons such as Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham, America needs to send billions of taxpayer funds to both Israel and Ukraine, and won't consider any legislation that doesn't combine the two. 

* House Republicans under newly minted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), as well as a group of Senate Republicans, want Israel aid separated from Ukraine aid, while the Biden White House wants to jam a $105 billion foreign aid package ($14B to Israel, $60B to Ukraine) through Congress. 

* The House's plan (if they can even pass it) to separate Israel aid from Ukraine aid is DOA in the Senate, while both the Senate's combined package and the Biden admin's package is DOA in the House.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I am confident that both the House and Senate will come to an agreement on this aid. But it is going to take time.

Secretaries Blinken & Austin Testify On $100B National Security Funding Request For Israel And Ukraine

 

The Hill: Blinken, Austin testify on $100B national security funding request 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are slated to testify Tuesday morning in a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, regarding the Biden administration’s more than $100 billion emergency aid request for conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. 

The majority of Democrats and many Republican senators support tying aid for the two countries together. 

But, the aid request faces much deeper problems in the Republican-led House, where new Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed cutting out the Ukraine aid and focusing on Israel alone. He’s also proposed cutting money for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to pay for it, as The Associated Press reported. 

 Read more ....  

WNU Editor: There were a number of protests during the hearing (see video below).