The US State Department has expressed opposition to proposals from Republicans in Congress to provide non-military assistance to Ukraine in the form of a loan.
Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the State Department, stated that burdening Ukraine with foreign debt at a time when it is working to revive its economy and stand on its own feet is not appropriate. Miller emphasized that supporting Ukraine’s economy is crucial for its ability to defend itself without aid from other countries.
State Department (Credits: Breaking Defense)
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Mike McCaul and Senator Lindsey Graham, both Republicans, have proposed a plan to provide non-military assistance to Ukraine as a loan, with a generous repayment system to help Ukraine.
Senator Graham believes that this idea, supported by likely Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, could help unlock the supplemental request for aid in the House of Representatives.
In response to the Republican proposals, Democrats in the House of Representatives are preparing to bypass Speaker Mike Johnson to force a vote on a package of aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan totaling $95 billion.
State Department (Credits: Defense News)
Speaker Johnson had previously blocked a bipartisan package of support for Ukraine proposed by the Senate but indicated openness to a new bipartisan foreign aid package.
Speaker Johnson has stated that the bill for additional funding to Ukraine will be considered once the federal government’s funding issue is resolved. Congressman Mike McCaul is leading efforts to revise the aid package proposal and reach a consensus among party members to pass the package by the end of March or in April.
