Aid to Ukraine far too late
Trump’s selfishness has pushed Europe closer to the brink
A comment from Roland Peters
April 20, 2024, 8:48 p.m
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After a wild ride of intra-party power struggles, the US House of Representatives passes urgently needed Ukraine aid. Significantly, it depended on Trump’s blessing. It could be the last package of its kind.
Six months ago, the US Congress got into a time machine and traveled back in time. Behind closed doors, Republicans and Democrats negotiated new aid to Ukraine and a historic border package that was supposed to provide a solution to the troubling situation in the southern United States. Both sides made concessions, worked out details and incorporated various interests of their own factions. The parliamentarians did what politicians should do: they looked for common denominators in order to move forward in the interests of everyone. But then Donald Trump pulled the plug on the time machine over the phone.
In Trump’s wing of the party, compromises are for weaklings. They mean progress, and progress makes the government look capable, even competent. And, MAGA forbid, they might even solve problems. Trump also feared the negotiated measures because they would presumably have achieved goals, calmed the situation at the border with Mexico and reduced the number of immigrants without residence permits. The House of Representatives never voted on the compromise because of Trump and his crazy disciples. The Republican needs confrontation and crises for his election campaign against US President Joe Biden. No solutions.
Only now, months later, was the House of Representatives able to approve the aid in a different form. The Senate will most likely follow suit on Tuesday and Biden will approve it with his signature. Ukraine and Europe can now breathe a little easier. Without the $60 billion for military materials and other items, the country could soon have fallen into Russian hands. Kiev is preparing its defenses as the army leadership expects a major Russian offensive. But it’s unclear whether such or such ammunition will be enough; also what negative effects the months-long delay in aid will have. One thing is certain: Trump has pushed Europe closer to the abyss with his egoism.
Mysterious change of course
Trump has demonstrated his influence for months. Why did he only now change his mind and publicly support Republican and House Speaker Mike Johnson? Nothing is known about this. With good will one could assume that Trump has become aware of the seriousness of the situation in Europe. If Russia were to overrun Ukraine, things could become much more uncomfortable and dangerous for the European countries of the Western alliance.
But the experiences of the past few years suggest other motivations: that Trump wants Ukraine to hold out at least until he is sworn in. He could then portray himself as a great bringer of peace who would solve the annoying conflict overseas through man-to-man talks and thus free the USA from financial burdens in the process. At the same time, Trump has already ensured that the situation on the southern border with Mexico will not change significantly. Johnson publicly enlisted Trump’s support, decoupled the border package from Ukraine aid and, as Trump’s MAGA Republicans promised, put it up for a vote at the same time. The House of Representatives rejected it.
By the grace of the Democrats
It is indicative of the fragility of the balance of power that the absolution of Trump – who, as a reminder, holds no political office and currently spends more time in the courtroom than on the campaign trail – has such significance that his word affects not only Congress, but the whole of it can keep continents in suspense. It shows: The egoism of a 77-year-old is more important than the major military proxy conflict of the 21st century.
It is also significant that Johnson needed the approval of Democrats to get the aid through the committees, while MAGA Republicans blocked it. This support could ultimately cost Johnson his job. The Republican is now a spokesman for the Democrats. Working with his rivals already sealed the political fate of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.
Whatever the tactics looked in detail: this wrangling, this hypocrisy and instrumentalization of the war in Europe for one’s own advantage, they are unworthy of the historical challenge. If the US-led Western alliance of democracies wants to show that it can hold its own against the authoritarian bloc, other interests must subordinate themselves until the military threat is reliably contained. If Trump makes it into the White House in November, things will become even more turbulent in the coming years. The aid package, which has now been approved by a large majority, could be the last of its kind.