President Joe Biden convened a meeting with global leaders on Tuesday to coordinate support for Ukraine as it continues its battle against Russia in a war that has lasted almost 20 months. The meeting was an intentional display of U.S. backing for Ukraine at a time when the future of aid to Kyiv is uncertain due to opposition from a faction of House Republicans.
The phone call, which included key allies in Europe as well as the leaders of Canada and Japan, took place just days after Biden signed legislation passed by Congress that funded the federal government but omitted billions in funding for Ukraine’s war effort that the White House had strongly supported.
The White House emphasized that all the countries involved in the call reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine, and there were no doubts about the U.S.’s commitment to Kyiv. However, the administration sternly warned that any disruptions in aid could be exploited by Russian President Vladimir Putin to his advantage.
John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House, stated that the current tranche of U.S. aid would be sufficient to assist Ukraine for a few more weeks or months, depending on the situation on the battlefield.
The future of Ukraine’s aid has been uncertain following Biden’s signing of a bill to fund the U.S. government through mid-November, which did not include the additional funds requested by Biden for Ukraine in August. Biden and Democratic leaders had expected then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to follow through on his commitment to Ukraine aid, even as some Republicans remained opposed to it.
McCarthy recently suggested linking new Ukraine funding to security improvements at the U.S.-Mexico border. The White House supports both issues individually but not as a combined package.
During the call, participants discussed providing Ukraine with weapons support, strengthening its air defenses, and shoring up its energy infrastructure for the upcoming winter. They also strategized on mobilizing private donations to aid Ukraine’s economic recovery.
President Andrzej Duda of Poland, speaking after the call, stated that Biden assured the group of continued U.S. support for Ukraine and expressed confidence that Congress would not abandon its backing. Duda added that Biden emphasized the broad support for Ukraine in Congress, contrary to media reports.
Outside the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers and military veterans gathered to rally for the continuation of aid to Ukraine. Many argued that cutting off support would embolden Russia and other adversaries and draw the U.S. into direct conflict.
The exclusion of funds for Ukraine came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with lawmakers in the Capitol, stressing the importance of additional assistance. A recent House vote also indicated potential trouble ahead, as nearly half of House Republicans voted to cut defense spending for Ukraine.
The U.S. has already approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine totaling about $113 billion in response to Russia’s invasion, with some of the funds being used to replenish U.S. military equipment. In August, Biden called on Congress to provide an additional $24 billion.
Overall, the call with global leaders aimed to coordinate support for Ukraine and address the uncertainties surrounding future aid. The U.S. government, alongside its allies, expressed a firm commitment to standing with Ukraine against Russian aggression. The focus now shifts to ensuring that Congress does not disrupt the flow of assistance, which could potentially be exploited by Putin.
