Biden 'Worried' That Washington Turmoil Could Upend Ukraine Aid

Facts

• On Wednesday, US Pres. Joe Biden stated that current political conditions in Washington could derail future military aid to Ukraine, urging Republicans to end their infighting and back 'critically important' assistance for Kyiv.¹
• 'It does worry me,' Biden told reporters when asked to comment on the consequences of Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) removal from the position of House Speaker. However, Biden emphasized that bipartisan support for Ukraine remained in the chamber.¹
• Biden revealed that he would soon deliver a 'major' speech about funding for Ukraine, claiming it was  “critically important for the United States and our allies that we keep our commitment.'²
• The president also suggested that there may be alternate methods of getting funding to Ukraine, before remarking that he was “not going to get into that right now.”³
• It was also revealed on Wednesday that the US had supplied Ukraine with more than 1M rounds of ammunition seized from Iran, according to Attorney General Merrick Garland. The munitions were reportedly headed to Houthi forces in Yemen in violation of a UN arms embargo before being seized by the US.⁴
• Garland claimed that the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) would continue to use 'every legal authority at our disposal' to support Ukraine’s 'fight for freedom, democracy and the rule of law.'⁴

Sources: ¹Guardian (a), ²NBC, ³Associated Press and ⁴Guardian (b).

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Guardian. Due to the instability in Congress created by Republicans, America's future assistance to Ukraine is now in jeopardy. This creates a risk that Ukraine will no longer be able to meaningfully defend itself from Russian aggression. Republicans need to end this political brinksmanship immediately.
• Right narrative, as provided by The hill. Despite over $113B of US funding, the front lines in Ukraine have barely shifted in months of fighting. As such, Americans are right to ask what the strategy is and how the war will eventually be brought to a close. The US cannot be expected to continually throw money at the war, particularly with problems at home and with the national debt spiraling to over $5T.

Predictions