Biden doesn't have Plan B: diplomat Bryza on Ukraine aid

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV

"President Biden has no plan B. What he needs to do, and I hope he does, is to agree to what the extreme Republicans want. In particular, to change his administration's policy on immigration on the southern U.S. border with Mexico and to allocate more money for the southern border. I'm not pessimistic about whether or not the aid will come to Ukraine. I am concerned about the timing, as the negotiations will take several weeks. I think, knowing President Biden, he will eventually agree to this political blackmail and give the Republicans what they demand in terms of securing the US-Mexico border to get this aid for Ukraine," Braiza explained.

The diplomat emphasized that the situation in Congress has a great impact on the international image of the United States. "This is a terrible precedent in American domestic and foreign policy. But I think Biden will eventually give in, and Ukraine will get the money. The only question is when it will happen," he emphasized.

• On December 2, US National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby again called on Congress to take action to allocate the funds needed to continue to help Ukraine. He noted that this should be done by the end of the current calendar year.

• On December 4, the White House said that without a congressional decision, it would run out of money to provide weapons to Ukraine in its fight against Russia by the end of the year.

• On the same day, former US National Security Advisor John Bolton noted that assistance to Ukraine could be linked to immigration policy reform. Later, the US Congress explained why aid to Ukraine was linked to the migrant problem.

• On December 5, the US Congress issues an ultimatum to Biden on aid to Ukraine: Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson threatens to withdraw support for new funding for Ukraine unless the White House agrees to strengthen border security. 

• President Zelenskiy has canceled a speech to US lawmakers scheduled for Tuesday, December 5. According to the Democratic chairman, something happened at the last minute.

• Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova said that Zelenskyy canceled the speech because not only Ukraine-related issues but also domestic issues were discussed in closed briefings. In addition, the cancellation of the speech is explained by the fact that the war in Ukraine is ongoing and the situation is constantly changing.

• On December 6, U.S. President Joe Biden addressed Congress on the National Security and Assistance Package for Ukraine. In his speech, he called for the defense of freedom and to prevent Putin from taking over Ukraine.

• December 7 The U.S. Senate fails a procedural vote to begin work on legislation to provide emergency aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan worth about $106 billion

• December 14 The Republican-majority House of Representatives declares the following week a non-working week. The White House criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson's refusal to support a call to extend the work of both houses of the US Congress for a week to pass additional funding. Meanwhile, any agreement reached in the Senate must also be approved by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Lawmakers could be summoned to Washington for a vote if the Senate reaches an agreement.

• On December 15, the United States Senate postponed its Christmas recess, which was supposed to begin next week.