With Joe Biden, Volodimir Selenski has a strong partner at his side.
(Photo: dpa)
When US President Joe Biden received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, both covered a sensitive issue with humor. A Ukrainian reporter asked why the US wouldn’t just send its most powerful weapons to Ukraine right away, rather than step by step. “His answer is yes,” Biden replied, looking at Zelenski, both presidents smirking. “And I’m working on it, too,” Biden said.
In reality, however, it is more difficult than ever for the US government to develop a long-term strategy for Ukraine. The delivery of Patriot defense systems could be the maximum that the US is willing to make for a long time. The US government does not want to send longer-range weapons that can penetrate deep into Russia to Ukraine. Because that could pull the US and its allies into a direct conflict with Putin.
>> Read also: Emotional meeting in Washington – Biden promises further help for Ukraine to Zelensky
Dealing with Ukraine is a permanent risk assessment for Biden – also because the presidential election campaign will soon begin in the USA. Support from Republicans and the general public will become harder to secure the longer the war in Ukraine drags on. Even the billions in military aid are in question.
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On Thursday, Congress intends to pass a trillion budget that includes almost $45 billion for Ukraine. However, the tranche was not a sure-fire success, and the new funds are controversial.
Biden does not decide alone
The struggle over the budget showed that aid to Ukraine was becoming a bargaining chip on Capitol Hill. Biden promises that the US will stand by Ukraine “as long as necessary”. But he doesn’t decide that alone.
>> Read here: Critical phase in the Ukraine war – Putin sends soldiers, Biden “Patriots”
Nevertheless, Europe can be relieved that Biden, an experienced foreign politician, is in the White House. His previous crisis management is convincing.
The US has made many mistakes in the past, including during Biden’s tenure, such as the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. In the Ukraine crisis, on the other hand, Washington impressed with its foresight, precision and level-headedness.
The US President is struggling with many imponderables
The USA warned its European partners of the danger of a Russian invasion early on – at a time when many observers still considered this scenario absurd. Biden’s government tried to the last to dissuade Putin from his brutal plans. Biden has at least partially filled the vacuum in Western cooperation and American leadership left by Donald Trump.
Now the US President has to keep this coalition together under extremely difficult conditions – a situation that was not foreseeable when he took office. The Ukraine war could soon enter its second year, and the US President is struggling with many imponderables: domestically and in diplomacy with Western partners.
Against this background, Selenski’s invitation was a symbol of strength and determination. But what follows after that is no longer entirely in Biden’s hands.
More: Symbol of strength in Washington – but the USA is preparing for a long war