Biden visits Poland on anniversary of war between Russia and Ukraine
2023.02.20 01:47
Biden visits Poland on anniversary of war between Russia and Ukraine
By Ray Johnson
Budrigannews.com – This week, President Joe Biden is traveling to Poland to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The leader of the United States is troubled by the question of how much more military assistance to provide or what additional sanctions to impose on Russia. As the war drags on, there is a growing risk of solidarity fatigue.
Is Biden going to Ukraine? Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, already has high expectations for additional deliverables, so this would undoubtedly provide a psychological boost.
Although the White House claims that Biden will not enter Ukraine, his proximity to the conflict zone raises the possibility that he will make his first visit to the country since Russia invaded on February 24, 2022.
He is one of the few significant allies who has not yet visited the nation. In June, Emmanuel Macron, president of France, and Olaf Scholz, chancellor of Germany, visited Kyiv. On Monday, Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, leaves.
On Friday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby was specifically asked if Vice President Joe Biden would attend, and he responded, “no.”
Naturally, that response could change or could be “Why it matters: In light of Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukrainian officials and its military in the east, Zelenskiy is requesting that military aid and equipment be delivered more quickly.
Since Biden took office, the United States has provided Ukraine with $30 billion in security assistance, but the administration has not agreed to provide fighter jets.
Kirby stated, “Can’t blame President Zelenskiy for wanting more, heavier, and faster.” We are also familiar with the clock. Additionally, we are aware that time is of the essence in this situation.
While White House officials are confident that the existing funds appropriated will last through the fiscal year, some Republicans are threatening to reduce funding for Ukraine during Biden’s trip to Warsaw.
That narrative was minimized by Mitch McConnell, the leader of the Senate minority. He stated this on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, “Reports about the death of Republican support for strong American leadership in the world have been greatly exaggerated.”
What the United States has done so far: The Biden administration has provided Kyiv with the vast majority of its humanitarian and military assistance. Biden stated last month that the United States would provide Ukrainian forces with Abrams M1 tanks, opening the door to German-made Leopard tanks that will arrive sooner.
Kirby stated on Friday that it will be “many months” before the United States acquires, constructs, and is prepared to deliver the Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
Now, Zelenskiy and his team are requesting that allies pledge to send fighter jets, a request that Biden has so far refused to accommodate. However, US officials claim that Ukraine’s requirements have changed as a result of the conflict, and they are unable to predict how this will affect the supply of fighter jets in the future.
Poland’s part: Warsaw has frequently looked to its transatlantic alliance for support due to its long history of animosity with its larger European neighbors, which dates back to multiple partitions and the trauma of World War II.
The United States has valued Poland’s position as a vocal supporter of weapons deliveries to Ukraine within NATO, frequently in contrast to Germany, which was forced to send tanks.
The provincial city of Rzeszow and its airport, 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the Ukrainian border, have been transformed by Russia’s invasion into international entry points for the war.
The Polish government claims that this year’s defense spending will more than double to 4% of GDP, with a significant portion going toward US weapons. The United States announced this month that it intends to offer Poland 18 Himars precision rocket launchers and ammunition worth approximately $10 billion.
Who is meeting with Biden in Warsaw? During his visit on February 21 and 22, Biden intends to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and the leaders of the so-called Bucharest Nine group of eastern-flank NATO allies.
In a speech delivered at the capital’s former royal castle at the end of March, Biden made his last trip to Warsaw, a month after the invasion.
