War in Ukraine: – Putin gets a tough package for Christmas

The rejection of the emergency aid package represents a major defeat for Joe Biden and his administration, and it also creates uncertainty in Ukraine and the rest of Europe.

– This contributes to enhancing the general uncertainty about the role that the United States will play in the world in the future. It’s an isolated case, but it fuels concerns about a number of things, Arne Bard, a retired lieutenant general and former chief of the defense staff, tells Dagbladet.

He points out that problems arose without Trump in power, and one can only imagine what it would be like if that happened.

– This is Putin’s big hard package under the Christmas tree signed by the US Senate, says Dalhoug.

Also included is Lieutenant Colonel and Director of the Land Forces Department at the Norwegian Military Academy, Bále Ydstebo:

– This is dramatic. If this continues, there could be serious consequences of further war in Ukraine, says Bali Yedstepu.

He believes that much of the issue relates to US domestic politics, but warns that if the funds are not provided, or are too late, there could be dire consequences.

– It will limit Ukraine’s chances of making progress in the war, and if they get less artillery, it will lead to the death of a much larger number of soldiers and civilians in Ukraine, he said.

– It will be bad

The consequences are that Ukraine becomes more urgent in defending itself against cruise missiles and drones if it takes a long time before it is replenished with artillery ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles.

– It will be bad if this situation continues, says Ydstebø.

As a result, he believes that European countries, together with Japan or other countries, should increase their contributions to Ukraine.

“This is a very sad day,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the Senate vote that halted emergency aid to Ukraine.

Conservative senators demanded that immigration reform be part of the resolution. They want stricter controls on the border with Mexico before they offer their support.

Since it was removed, they voted not to move forward with the $106 billion relief package. The amount corresponds to approximately NOK 1,140 billion.

Democratic defeat

The result was a major defeat for the Democrats.

– If Ukraine falls, Putin will not stop there. It will be encouraged. Western democracy will decline if we are not willing to defend it. “The Republican Party needs to take this seriously,” Schumer continued after the vote. Washington Post.

It is also a defeat for Biden, who warned of the same thing that Schumer warned against. Before the Senate deadlocked, Biden said new appropriations to support Ukraine could not wait.

He warned Congress and said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not give up victory in Ukraine, but he might go so far as to attack a NATO country.

Before there was an abrupt pause in the Senate, Biden said that new appropriations to support Ukraine could not wait.

– He says Congress must approve an additional grant before the recess. If this does not happen, there is a risk that Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive “the greatest gift,” according to Biden.

Frustrated Republicans

And it’s not just Democrats who are frustrated. Republicans, including those who have been ardent in supporting Ukraine, believe Democrats refuse to bend.

“It is clear that some of our colleagues would rather allow Russia to trample a sovereign nation in Europe than do what is needed to enforce America’s borders,” said Senator Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader.

He continued:

– They (the Democrats journ.anm.) are convinced that open borders are worth endangering the security of the entire world.

What happens next with American support is now unclear. The New York Times Some in Washington see upcoming government funding deadlines in January and February as opportunities to strike a deal, he writes, while others fear that waiting several months could jeopardize the war effort in Ukraine.

– The clock is ticking. Aid to our allies in Ukraine has ended, and the whole world is now watching to see whether the United States is able to support all of its allies when they need it, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the Appropriations Committee. In the Senate, according to the newspaper.

– Russia hopes for one thing

In Ukraine, the message is clear: they want American support.

Russia hopes for only one thing: that the free world consensus will collapse next year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video meeting with Western leaders from the G7 countries on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Andriy Jermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, visited several US senators and discussed support for the country.

It was clear on Tuesday that the potential postponement of US support carries a “significant risk” of Russia winning the war.

The Kremlin supports this rejection

Defends honoring Putin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quick to respond when the news reached Moscow from Washington.

– I hope that the US Congress will block all future aid to Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov told AFP: “Let’s hope that there are enough sober-minded people among members of the US Congress.”

Russia continues the war with undiminished strength. Yesterday, there was a new Russian attack on Stromnitnyt, which aggravated the situation throughout Ukraine. There is already a lot of snow and extreme cold in several places.

Deputy Secretary-General Miroslav Jinka briefed the Security Council on Wednesday on the ongoing situation. He said that Russia attacks civilian infrastructure on a daily basis and that several people have been killed.

Russian authorities recently intensified their attacks against residential areas, including the capital, Kiev.

– All attacks against civilians and civil society infrastructure must stop immediately. Jinka said such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law and are simply unacceptable.

Threatening nuclear power plants

He added that the situation is uncertain for all four nuclear power plants in Ukraine. The power plant in Zaporizhia is the largest in Europe, and its power was cut off on Saturday for the eighth time since the invasion.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator Ramesh Rajasingham told the Security Council that the scale of deaths, injuries and destruction to vital civilian infrastructure was staggering.

– Many people are forced to live without heat, electricity and water, especially in the south and east. With freezing conditions reaching several degrees below zero, these living conditions threaten the most vulnerable, especially the elderly and people with disabilities, Rajasingham said.