America News Desk!! Public support for Ukraine is waning among the American people, but President Joe Biden’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to aid. US lawmakers, who would fund it for as long as it takes war aid, are also strongly behind Ukraine and a large and bipartisan majority of senators, despite calls from some Republicans not to send Kiev a blank check. The group is going to Munich to attend an annual security conference and is sending a clear signal to Western allies and partners of their unwavering commitment. US Vice President Kamala Harris is leading the overall US delegation to the security summit. With Russia planning a massive spring offensive, many experts are saying this will be a decisive phase in the year-long battle. President Biden will deliver the same message when he visits Poland on February 20 to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In December, Biden told Ukraine, the American people are with you every step of the way and we will always be with you. But the Americans are wavering. While most of them support some role for the US, their numbers for a major role have dropped from 32 percent in May 2022 to 26 percent in an AP-NORC poll on January 23 and those advocating no role. increased from 19 percent to 24 percent. However, among those polled, Democrats were overall more supportive of US aid to Ukraine – 81 percent in May 2022, compared to Republicans 74 percent. The number of those claiming no role increased from 20 to 9 percent in May 2022 and 15 percent in January 2023.
These same sentiments may find expression in a controversial letter by Democratic progressive lawmakers, who in a letter to the previous president called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin had hinted at the time – noting that India too has been alarmed and quietly canceled its annual summit with Russia over this. Democrats, to be clear, were calling for efforts to open diplomatic dialogue to find a solution. He did not oppose aid, which is the main reason Republicans oppose it. Future Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Ukraine is important, but at the same time it can’t be the only thing and what they do can’t be a blank check.
At this time the American President is moving forward. He announced that the US would give Ukraine 31 American main battle tanks Abrams. Since taking office in January 2021, the Biden administration has committed more than $24.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. The Pentagon said in January that some of America’s top-line military equipment, such as the Patriot missile battery and Abrams, had been delivered to Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has become somewhat of a legacy issue on foreign policy for Biden. Biden has rallied allies and partners, including India, to stand up to Putin.
–IANS
SGK/ANM
World News Desk!!