On the surface, US support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia remains strong. However, as America approaches its midterm elections, the Republican Party appears to be divided on the issue. Former President Donald Trump and his followers have questioned what they call a “blank check” to Ukraine. Mint explains the emerging division in the US over the Ukraine war.
Republican criticism of Ukraine aid package
The leader of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, recently criticized the high amount of US aid to Ukraine. Washington passed a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine in May with funds earmarked for disaster relief, economic reconstruction and military equipment. Since the war began in February, the US has committed nearly $18 billion in defense and military equipment to Ukraine.
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McCarthy said there would be no “blank check” for Ukraine if his party wins the upcoming midterm election. “I think people are going to sit in a recession, and they’re not going to write Ukraine a blank check,” McCarthy said.
Republicans are set to win a majority in the US House of Representatives. This makes McCarthy the most favored to become the next Speaker of the House, a tremendously powerful position in American politics.
Who supports McCarthy’s views?
Although he later characterized his statement as a call for increased monitoring of spending, McCarthy’s views have a strong base of support within the Republican Party. In particular, the pro-Trump faction in the party has taken a skeptical view of the billions flowing in aid to Ukraine. Matt Gaetz, a prominent pro-Trump congressman, and Senator Josh Frawley of Missouri have criticized US aid packages. Senator Frawley said aid to Ukraine “is not in America’s interest” and “allows Europe to freeload”. Prominent conservative activist groups and media figures, such as Tucker Carlson of Fox News, have also spoken of a massive aid package to Ukraine.
What role has Donald Trump played?
The former president has provided much of the impetus for the separatist wing of Republicans. When a $40 billion aid package was passed to Ukraine in May, Trump was among its main critics. “Democrats are sending another $40 billion to Ukraine, yet American parents are struggling to feed their children.” He said in a statement. He has also enjoyed a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. When Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February, Trump called Putin’s actions “smart” and “sensible”. He also alleged that the attack would not have happened had he been in the White House and criticized Biden for his handling of the crisis.
Will aid be cut?
A large number of Republican politicians provide aid to Ukraine. Senator Mitch McConnell, who leads the Republicans in the Senate, has consistently voted for more aid. However, more mainstream conservatives may be forced to listen to their Trumpist allies. If Republicans withdraw the House and Senate, they may choose to withdraw from Ukraine rather than risk a split in the party. Trump, who is likely to become the party’s nominee for president in 2024, will also play a role in reducing Republican support for aid to Ukraine.
The conservative voter base in America is also growing war-weary. In a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center in September, 32% of Republican voters said the US was providing Ukraine with too much support. This is more than three times the number of people who said so in the previous election held in March. While Ukraine’s battlefield successes have spurred support for its cause, a long winter and a military standoff on the ground could fuel American discontent, even as a domestic recession sets in.
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