WASHINGTON— Tonight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address a joint session of Congress. His address comes nearly a year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and as Congress considers an unprecedented, lame-duck omnibus package with $45 billion more in aid for Ukraine, including $17 billion for nonmilitary economic assistance James Carafano, vice president of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation, said the following:
“Strategically supporting the self-defense of Ukraine serves U.S interests. Already, the United States has provided $68 billion to Ukraine. Before approving any new funding for Ukraine’s self-defense, Congress must ensure there are robust accountability and oversight measures, and our military aid should must always be coupled with commitments from European nations to support Ukraine.
“Our disappointment is with President Biden. Instead of working toward a prudent and fiscally responsible path to advance the U.S. national security interests in Ukraine and Europe, Biden has failed to articulate a coherent strategy. With the acquiescence of the Washington establishment, Biden is once again expecting Congress to rubber-stamp a feckless and irresponsible foreign policy agenda.
“Americans deserve better than a Congress capitulating to the whims of a president asking for another check without presenting a clear path forward. The American people are willing to help end Putin's barbaric invasion, but Washington needs to stop throwing money at a problem and wishing for the best. It's past time for a strategy that promptly delivers the right military aid, reassures Americans there is sufficient oversight and accountability, and stops Putin in his tracks.”
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