There is a solution for this. They can spend their own money!
Europe is ‘very impatient’: New ambassador raises alarm over stalled $60 billion in Ukraine aid
When Jovita Neliupšien? left her home in Lithuania for Washington, she brought along a closet’s worth of business wear – and left behind the emergency ”go” bag that many of her countrymen keep nearby in case of a Russian attack.
“You have to always have money, gasoline and so forth” on hand, said Neliupšien?, the European Union’s new ambassador to the U.S. “Because it’s literally on your doorstep.”
Now, as Europe’s top diplomat in America, Neliupšien? is working to instill in congressional leaders the sharp urgency that’s felt on Europe’s eastern border, as a $60 billion American aid package for Ukraine lies stalled in the Republican-controlled House.
Europe could pony up the money themselves, right? If they’re that concerned. Heck, they don’t even have to raise $60 billion. What is in the package?
- $20 billion to replenish US weapons stocks after giving it all away to Ukraine for them to do….nothing
- $14 billion for Ukraine to go out and buy their own weapons from US companies
- $15 billion for “U.S. support including military training, intelligence sharing, increased presence in Eastern Europe, and other activities.” Isn’t training a little late since we’re 2 years into the war?
- $8 billion for “direct budget support”, meaning we are paying for Ukraine lawmakers and government operations. That’s silly
- $3.2 which really goes to keeping Ukrainian businesses afloat
Why can’t Europe allocate their own money?
With American aid caught in the fist of the House Freedom Caucus, the E.U. and its 27 members have pledged an additional $50 billion to Ukraine, bringing European support to $150 billion since Russia first invaded two years ago. European leaders have pledged to buy desperately-needed ammunition for Kyiv as U.S. shipments have dwindled. The U.S. has so far given Ukraine $75 billion in humanitarian, financial and military support.
Well, they can reach deep into their pockets. At the end of the day, Ukraine can. Not. Win. It’s a shame, but, that’s the reality. They cannot kick Russia out, unless they go scorched earth, run a guerrilla war like happened in Afghanistan, but, then Russia will go scorched earth as they leave, destroying everything.
“We need two feet on the ground, one on one side of the Atlantic, another on the other side, over there, if we want to have success and to see this war over,” Neliupšien? said.
While the aid money remains stalled on Capitol Hill, Washington and Brussels are both working to find ways to seize Russian government assets ? and use the funds to rebuild Ukraine.
The Senate is set to vote on the Repo Act, which would authorize the government to seize $5 billion in frozen Russian government assets held inside the U.S.
Have at it. Fortunately, the Ukrainian government is shady and happy to put the money in their own pockets. Before giving them anymore money from American taxpayers we need an accounting of where the previous money went.
Today, Neliupšien? is adamant that failure to support Ukraine will only lead to more invasions. On Wednesday, leaders in Transnistria, a Kremlin-backed breakaway region of Moldova bordering western Ukraine, requested Moscow’s protection – an apparent invitation for more Russian troops to deploy there.
“Other authoritarian or dictatorial leaders are looking at what is happening, and if Putin can outlast us, then the consequences can be quite global,” Neliupšien? said.
Good thing Biden didn’t show weakness and fecklessness starting with his Afghanistan withdrawal. Moldova is not a NATO member, either.
Read: Europe Is Impatient For $60 Billion In Ukraine Aid From America Or Something »