Former US President Donald Trump stands next to Polish President Andrzej Duda during a meeting between the two at Trump Tower on April 17 in New York City (USA) – Photo: Getty Images
On April 23, with an overwhelming vote of 79-18, the US Senate passed a new aid package worth $95 billion to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, including $61 billion for Ukraine.
Massive aid to Ukraine
President Joe Biden’s signature then paved the way for the start of the process of transferring weapons to Ukraine. This is considered “rain in the middle of a thirsty desert” for Kiev, which is facing many difficulties in the conflict with Russia.
With a shortage of forces and weapons, Ukraine is worried that it will not be able to withstand Russia’s continuous attacks in the past days and in the coming days this summer. As Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency William Burns said more than a week ago, Ukraine cannot even make it through 2024 without US aid.
The US has been the country providing the most aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its “special military campaign” in February 2022. America’s contribution, especially the $61 billion aid in this $95 billion package, even plays a symbolic role in Europe’s support for Kiev.
In the context of Ukraine’s war lasting into its third year, war fatigue means that new aid rounds are no different from a decisive move.
If the US tries again to show its leading position, its European allies also have reason to continue to bet on Ukraine’s ability to win, regardless of the meaning of that victory. .
On April 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for Britain’s largest aid package ever announced right after the US House of Representatives passed a $61 billion aid package.
“Storm Shadow and other missiles, hundreds of armored vehicles and ships, ammunition… all are needed on the battlefield,” Mr. Zelensky wrote on X after a phone call with Mr. Sunak.
The British aid package is worth 620 million USD and will be used for ammunition, air defense, drones… According to information from the British Government, Ukraine will receive 60 boats and more than 1,600 offensive and defensive missiles and especially the long-range Storm Shadow missile.
On April 16, the Danish Ministry of Defense also announced a new military aid package worth 2.2 billion kroner (313 million USD) to Ukraine. That is Denmark’s 17th military aid package since February 2022, following the aid in March (336 million USD).
Ukraine and Mr. Trump
In the story of bipartisan negotiations in the US to pass an aid package for Ukraine, the name Donald Trump is mentioned many times.
The former US president appeared in court this week regarding criminal charges of “silencing” a porn star – a detail that could greatly hinder his ability to be re-elected in the US presidential election. next November.
However, his nod towards Ukraine aid was considered to have a great influence on the Republican Party accepting a compromise with the Democrats to pass the above foreign assistance bill.
Previously, Mr. Trump and a group of conservative Republican lawmakers were skeptical and tough on aid to Ukraine. But this change does not only come from a compromise related to Israel, but is more likely the result of a continuous lobbying process, where the parties behave as if Mr. Trump will be president. .
Much has been said about the role of US House Speaker Mike Johnson – a Republican who changed his stance and “tamed” the conservative parliamentary group in the party. However, Politico newspaper also noted that Mr. Johnson took an important step in successfully convincing Mr. Trump.
After being advised by allies to update Mr. Trump on foreign aid plans, Mr. Johnson went to Mar-e-Lago last week. Here, he received a commitment from Mr. Trump: “I stand with the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
The US $95 billion aid package also found a way out after Mr. Trump’s series of contacts with foreign officials. On April 8, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron went to Palm Beach to meet Mr. Trump. Politico said Mr. Cameron emphasized the financial commitment of European countries to Ukraine as well as the urgency of providing additional funding to Kiev.
At the meeting of foreign ministers of G7 countries last week, Mr. Cameron and the foreign ministers of Germany and Italy also emphasized that Europe must do more for Ukraine. Most recently, Polish President Andrzej Duda also met with Mr. Trump at Trump Tower (Manhattan, USA) to discuss the need for Europe to take more action.
“Europe must do more for security” is what Mr. Trump repeated throughout his term (2016 – 2020). At this time, when the race for the White House has not yet ended and regardless of whether Mr. Trump may be in danger from criminal charges, it seems that both the US press and allied officials are treating him in a similar manner. future president.
In general, it is too early to say whether Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden will win the election. Some opinions say that the fact that Republicans agreed to aid Ukraine shows that Mr. Trump, a skeptic about Ukraine, has lost some support.
But from another perspective, the remaining opinion group believes that this is a reasonable step for a person who thinks he is about to become president: he cannot let Ukraine lose, because that means Mr. Trump will enter the White House with a major security crisis.
