Despite the cracks, the United States calls for maintaining international unity in support of Ukraine
The winter months are approaching, and with them comes a defining moment for the war in Ukraine: the ability of its Western allies to maintain Union to support the Kyiv government The conflict is entrenched on the fronts and affects the energy and food security of the planet.
The unity of the United States and its European and other Western allies in sending arms and providing economic support to Ukraine was crucial for the government led by Volodymyr Zelensky to be able to confront the Russian invasion, which began at the end of last February. .
A month and a half after a year of war, in an inflationary economic environment, cracks in that unit It is increasingly visible on both sides of the Atlantic.
Supporting Ukraine “requires sacrifices from all of us,” said Wendy Sherman, US Deputy Secretary of State, Thursday from Paris, in a virtual meeting with European media and analysts in which ABC participated. I realize what needs to be done Those sacrifices can be ‘very difficult’ In the face of the effects of war on energy and food, “nerves of steel and unwavering commitment” are required.
Doubts from the Republican Party
Sherman’s words come at a time when the willingness to make those sacrifices is increasingly being called into question. In the United States, a section of the Republican Party, which is closest to former President Donald Trump, is highly skeptical of the resounding support for Keef, who cost US coffers more than $19 billion in armament.
Republicans, who will control the House of Representatives starting in January, approved the sector’s proposal to review these multimillion-dollar payments. At the same time, public support for Ukraine is taking a hit, according to a Washington Post poll published this week. Americans who support unlimited US support for Ukraine to 40% in Novembercompared to 58% in July. Now, 47% of Americans think Washington should pressure Kyiv into a quick peace deal.
This is a divisive issue, with increasing support among the Western Allies also having resonance in the United States. The Joe Biden government has always sought not to prioritize negotiations for a quick resolution of the conflict over the Ukrainian demand to expel the Russian invader outside its borders. But last month, General Mark Milley, the US Army’s chief of staff, backed off because it might be winter good chance For Ukraine to use its advances on the front in recent months to negotiate peace with Moscow.
Eastern European anger at Macron
A cacophony has been added to this other shore. In recent weeks, French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized that Russian “security guarantees” must be taken into account as they occur. Negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. It is a nod to NATO’s expansion in the region, as demanded by Ukraine, which has angered other European partners, especially those from the east.
“Of course there are voices that say ‘Let’s end this conflict,’” Sherman acknowledged. “But it is also true that everyone says nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he added of the slogan repeated by the Biden administration.
“There will always be people who say, ‘We want this to end’, and who, for one reason or another, have a hard time focusing on supporting Ukraine,” he said. But we have to remember what is at stake here. This is, first of all, It is about Ukraine and its ability to be a sovereign state And you decide your future. But it is also about not allowing one country to invade another with impunity. Because we are all in danger.”
