Ukraine’s $61 Billion lifeline is not enough

Reuters ^ | April 29, 2024 | Hugo Dixon

[Mount Athos]

Ukraine last week got a vital $61 billion lifeline from the United States. But it still needs a medium-term funding plan to withstand Russia’s onslaught.

A multi-year funding plan would have several benefits. For a start, it would provide some insurance against U.S. political swings. It would also boost Ukrainian morale and give Western arms manufacturers greater confidence to ramp up production.

Ukraine is straining every sinew to hold the line against Russia, an adversary whose $2 trillion, opens new tab economy was 11 times bigger than its own last year.

How much Kyiv needs in future depends on what sort of war it fights. A defensive campaign would cost less than an attempt to expel Russia from large chunks of land. But given that the Kremlin is ramping up its own military expenditure, Ukraine in future will probably need at least as much every year as the 88 billion euros its allies allocated in 2023.

Western countries may relax now that the U.S. Congress has finally agreed $61 billion in aid. This would be a mistake. Ukraine’s allies need to build on last week’s good news to extend a more ambitious lifeline.

[TheBattman]

I would be in favor of shipping the millions of military-age males that have been crossing the US Boarder illegally for the last several years - Make serving in Ukraine on the front lines a requisite for even consideration for citizenship (and feel free to stay in Ukraine if you like it).

[Kazan]

Let’s send ALL of Congress that voted for funds to Ukraine to fight for the cause they believe in.

I volunteer to round up the Zeepers here as conscripts and send them to Ukraine with them!

[Navy Patriot]

Yeah, Me Too.

Wait, the broads co opted that one.

I guess I'll have to think up another phrase to support Democracy Mob Rule.

[kaila]

And they will say no money for Social Security and Medicare

[TheBattman]

Nothing short of magically creating a hundred thousand + well-trained soldiers and a massive supply (basically unlimited) of top-notch weapons and no restraints on how they are used has even a remote chance of victory (at least in the current definition of removing Russia from all the pre-2014 territory of Ukraine).

This is something that the West does not have the backbone or stomach for - and in all honesty, I don’t believe even wants to happen.

Ukraine is but a pawn. The only question at this point is WHO’s pawn will they be going forward. If the West abandon’s Ukraine - then it is only a matter of (short) time that they are yet another vassal of Putin/Russia - and then Russia has done exactly what they accuse NATO of doing... impinging on borders. Then it will be Poland on the edge - which is why Poland, among all the EU states, has taken this the most seriously. They know the score.

[Reverend Wright]

” Outside the fact that the current Congress can *NOT* bind any FUTURE Congress. “

---

You sure ?

Repubs have been promising to defund PBS and NPR since 1980.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Not a bad idea. Europe could shift their refugees in that direction as well.

Save Ukraine for Islam and Aztlan!

[xone]

if Biden somehow manages to win,

Have another drink.

[rollo tomasi]

Why isn't $6.1 Billion not enough "for the big guy"?

All kidding aside though, journalists need to do their job and call for/investigate accounting practices with all this spending. Agitprop is all the press regurgitates.

[srmanuel]

Don’t ever discount the Republicans ability to screw things up and the Democrats ability to cheat, Biden winning can’t be dismissed

[xone]

I don’t discount either, neither do I inflate them. Biden loses in Nov or before.

[i_robot73]

>
>>
” Outside the fact that the current Congress can *NOT* bind any FUTURE Congress. “
>>

You sure ?

Repubs have been promising to defund PBS and NPR since 1980.
>

1st, the (R)N(C) PARTY != Govt/D.C.

Lastly, they’re STILL alive & kicking, no? Just like their calls to abolish DoEd, EPA -> O’Care. What’s their track record of “smaller govt” (boy THAT phrase died in ‘16, never to be heard since)??

So my point still stands.

[Texan4Life]

Ukraine unveils AI-generated Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTUAkEJMoNU