contents
All of a sudden, things aren’t going so badly for Vladimir Putin: He’s advancing militarily, albeit slowly. And politically cracks are showing in the alliance against him.
Not a day goes by that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken does not speak to his counterparts around the world. Knowing full well that standing up to Russia as one is absolutely crucial. But in the meantime, more and more countries are shooting across.
Legend:
Joe Biden managed to close ranks internationally against Russia. He also brought cross-party politics on course nationally. But this unity is now in danger.
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Turkey in NATO, for example, or Hungary in the EU. Others, like Italy, are pushing for speedy negotiations with Moscow. And Germany continues to slow down arms deliveries. The European back and forth is, of course, noted in the US and fuels those on the far left and far right who, for pacifist, populist, isolationist or economic reasons, want to end Washington’s massive engagement in Ukraine.
Trump against aid to Ukraine
With a good sense of which way the wind is blowing, ex-President Donald Trump jumps on this bandwagon. He railed against the extensive Ukraine aid package that has just been approved by parliament in Washington: “$40 billion for Ukraine – we would be better off investing that in security measures for schools to prevent massacres there.”
Those circles behind Ukraine are amazed and outraged that even the doyen of American foreign policy, Henry Kissinger, who has just turned 99, is now promoting negotiations with Putin.
Legend:
Henry Kissinger became adviser on foreign and security policy to President Richard Nixon in 1968. In 1973 he became foreign minister and received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Reuters/2019
Even at the price that Ukraine is permanently giving up territories to Russia and is committed to neutrality, i.e. not striving for either NATO or EU membership. Kissinger explained that last week via video link at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
“Much too expensive” for the Republicans
Lindsey Graham, one of the leading Republican foreign policy experts in the Senate, firmly rejects this. But dissatisfaction is growing among the Republicans, especially since Ukraine will probably need support for a very long time and this is enormously expensive. Senator Josh Hawley, an ardent Trump supporter, therefore rejected the 40 billion aid package. “Far too expensive,” he said.
Legend:
Graham voted for the package, many of his party colleagues did not.
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Ten other Republican senators did the same, as did 57 members of the House of Representatives. The influential think tank Heritage Foundation played a key role in this, as its new, populist boss Kevin Roberts immodestly reveals.
The Heritage Foundation used to be classic conservative. She advocated the US war in Iraq, engagement in Afghanistan and was consistently opposed to Russia. She criticized President Barack Obama for holding back in the Syrian civil war. Their traditional credo was that of former President Ronald Reagan: “Peace through strength.”
What good is all this for the US?
But the think tank is now steering a populist Trump course. “America First” is decisive, that is, the sole question of what is most useful to the USA itself. Apparently, supporting Ukraine is not one of them. Numerous right-wing organizations are joining the Heritage Foundation and setting sail accordingly – which is why Joe Biden’s government is suddenly facing strong headwinds.
The President brought his billion-dollar aid package through. And this week the decision is likely to follow, among other things, to deliver powerful long-range missiles to Ukraine. But the consensus is crumbling. This should be followed with satisfaction in the Kremlin.