Washington, DC – Some right-wing United States Republicans are slamming Joe Biden’s go to to Ukraine, invoking crises at dwelling that they accuse the president of ignoring as he pledges assist for Kyiv.
The opposition to Biden’s beforehand unannounced go to on Monday highlighted the views of a small however vocal cohort of ultraconservative US legislators who’re skeptical of US assist for Ukraine.
First-term Republican Congressman Andy Ogles accused Biden of prioritizing “political discipline journeys” on Monday.
“America-last Biden visited UKRAINE earlier than visiting the individuals residing by way of an environmental disaster in East Palestine, Ohio,” Ogles wrote on Twitter, referring to a poisonous chemical compounds spill after a practice derailment in Ohio earlier this month.
Nonetheless, the journey earned reward from Democrats who praised Biden’s “management” in supporting Ukraine towards the Russian invasion.
Joe Biden visited Ukraine as we speak earlier than visiting the nice individuals of East Palestine, Ohio.
The Biden administration continues to place America final.
— Congressman Ben Cline (@RepBenCline) February 20, 2023
Many Republican critics famous that Biden left the nation on Presidents’ Day, a US vacation honoring the nation’s first president, George Washington. In addition they cited what they referred to as a “disaster” on the US’s southern borderwhere document numbers of asylum seekers have arrived in current months in the hunt for safety.
“As we speak on our President’s Day, Joe Biden, the President of america selected Ukraine over America, whereas forcing the American individuals to pay for Ukraine’s authorities and warfare,” far-right firebrand Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated in a social media publish.
Her fellow right-wing legislator Matt Gaetz quipped that Ukrainians “can maintain” the US president.
“When our border is in disaster, Joe Biden goes dwelling to nap in Delaware,” Gaetz wrote on Twitter.
“When Ohio burns with poisonous chemical compounds, Biden’s admin says the whole lot is okay. So on Presidents’ Day, I am not shocked that Biden is ditching America for Ukraine.”
Biden introduced $500m in further support to Ukraine throughout his journey on Monday, a part of a rising tally of help within the billions of {dollars} that Washington has offered to Kyiv for the reason that invasion began final 12 months.
That persevering with help has thus far been authorised by Congress with overwhelming bipartisan assist.
Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine on February 24 – almost one 12 months in the past – after a months-long standoff that noticed Moscow amass troops close to the Ukrainian borders as Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded an finish to NATO enlargement into former Soviet republics.
Moscow’s warfare marketing campaign has been mired by navy setbacks, as Western powers proceed to offer monetary and navy assist to Kyiv. Russian officers have stated that sending arms to Ukraine prolongs and intensifies the battle.
“Breathtaking that President Biden can present up in Ukraine to make sure their border is safe, however cannot do the identical for America,” Republican Congressman Scott Perry stated in a tweet on Monday.
Most congressional Republicans nonetheless again US assist for Ukraine, and plenty of of them fault Biden for not being extra aggressive towards Russia.
However Ukraine’s supporters concern that “America First” isolationism could also be gaining a higher foothold in conservative politics forward of the 2024 presidential elections.
The Biden administration says it’s dedicated to supporting Ukraine “so long as it takes” to assist the nation combat the Russian invasion.
US officers say the help is critical not just for the sake of Ukrainian allies but additionally to protect guidelines towards unprovoked wars and shield the worldwide order.
In Kyiv, Biden described the Russian invasion as “brutal and unjust” as he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“One 12 months later, Kyiv stands, and Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” Biden stated. “The Individuals stand with you, and the world stands with you.”
Again within the US, many Democrats praised Biden’s go to to Kyiv, which got here days earlier than the primary anniversary of the invasion.
Grateful for President Biden’s management as we proceed to face with Ukraine.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) February 20, 2023
Senator Cori Bush stated in a social media publish that Biden’s journey was a “reminder of the ability of our presidency and the way, when used responsibly, it might probably elevate individuals up & be a beacon for freedom & democracy world wide”.
Adam Schiff, a key Home Democrat, stated he was “proud” to see Biden categorical Washington’s “unbreakable” assist to Kyiv.
“We stand with the individuals of Ukraine of their wrestle to push out Russian invaders, to take pleasure in the suitable of self-determination, and to reside in peace,” Schiff wrote on Twitter.
Democratic Congressman Jason Crow dismissed the Republican criticism of Biden’s go to,
“These individuals know nothing about nationwide safety and international coverage,” Crow informed MSNBC,
“They do not perceive that it is in our strategic pursuits and our safety pursuits and the American individuals’s pursuits to have a secure, affluent and free Europe and a free world, and that is what this combat is about.”
