Ukraine's First Lady Pleads for More Aid

Facts

• Ukrainian Pres. Vladimir Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska, has warned that Ukrainians are in "mortal danger" of being left to die if Kyiv doesn't continue receiving financial aid from the West to fend off Russia’s full-scale invasion. ¹
• In an interview with the BBC Sunday, Zelenska said: "We really need the help. In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die. And if the world gets tired, they will simply let us die." ²
• Her appeal to Western countries comes after Republican senators blocked an emergency spending bill earlier this week to provide $110.5B in new wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel, arguing that it was necessary to focus on issues on the US southern border. ³
• The White House has repeatedly sounded the alarm that the US will run out of time, money, and "resources to procure more weapons and equipment" to ensure continued support of Ukraine's military by the end of the year "without congressional action." ⁴
• Expressing concern over delays in funding as the war with Russia comes towards the end of its second year, Zelenska added: "It hurts us greatly to see the signs that the passionate willingness to help may fade. It is a matter of life for us. Therefore, it hurts to see that." ⁵
• Meanwhile, Kyiv claimed Saturday that Moscow had launched a total of 28 missiles and 27 airstrikes at Ukrainian military positions and civilian areas in a 24-hour timespan, adding that Russian forces fired more than 300 shells on Kherson alone. ⁶

Sources: ¹The Hill, ²BBC News, ³Reuters, ⁴Colorado Springs Gazette, ⁵ Independent, and ⁶ CNN.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The New York Times. The West, particularly the US, must ensure Ukraine continues to be well-aided to fight Russia in this unprovoked war of aggression. If Western countries let Vladimir Putin win in Ukraine, he could attack a NATO country next. The Biden administration must fulfill its commitment against authoritarianism in Eastern Europe — the US Congress must give its full support to this objective.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by The Spectator (UK). The US has allocated a total of $113B in Ukraine's war-related funding since Russia's military operation began last February. That's a lot. However, this unprecedented outlay has failed to swing the conflict in Ukraine's favor. As Kyiv's much-vaunted summer counteroffensive has yet to yield significant success in recapturing any territory from Russian forces, the Biden administration must push Ukraine toward a peace deal with Moscow.
• Cynical narrative, as provided by AntiWar. Any additional multi-billion-dollar package will make little difference in the war's outcome. The US has been meddling in Ukraine since the end of the Cold War, only offering a meaningless, token 'security assurance' in return. What we're witnessing is a geopolitical Ponzi scheme to benefit those aligned with the military-industrial complex. War is a lucrative racket.
• Nerd narrative, as provided by Metaculus. There's a 32% chance that the US Congress will approve additional aid for Ukraine before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.