US will help Ukraine to overwinter
2022.12.13 11:53
US will help Ukraine to overwinter
Budrigannews.com – The Biden administration is intensifying diplomatic efforts nearly ten months into the war in Ukraine to ensure that the transatlantic alliance opposing Russia’s invasion survives a bitter European winter.
The administration has scrambled to modify its signature inflation legislation in recent weeks to appease European governments whose support it needs for Ukraine. Additionally, the G7 nations have agreed to limit the price of Russian oil.
A signal to allies eager for a negotiated resolution of the conflict, President Joe Biden also briefly moderated his strong opposition to talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The conflict in Ukraine also serves as the setting for the U.S.-Africa Summit, a relationship-building exercise that begins on Tuesday and brings together the leaders of 49 African nations. Many of these leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with having to pay the economic price for the conflict, which the United Nations claims has made a global food crisis worse.
The coalition of nations opposed to Russia’s invasion, which includes NATO members and U.S. allies like Japan and Australia, has proven resilient, defying predictions that the war-related rise in energy costs could break the group apart. Diplomats and U.S. officials assert that maintaining that unity has required diplomacy and compromise, and that it will likely require even more as the European winter puts the public’s support for Ukraine to the test.
One senior European diplomat stated, “This winter, Ukrainians will suffer, and Russia may just continue to make it harder.” Europeans may find it increasingly challenging to maintain their unity while continuing to provide Ukraine with weapons, cash, and assistance.”
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NYSE: John Kirby, The allies would remain united, according to a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, but they acknowledged the challenges ahead.
He stated, “We certainly recognize that there’s going to be enormous stress not just in Ukraine but throughout Europe with the coming of winter, and the way Mr. Putin has weaponized energy specifically.”
Last week, officials from the United States and Europe met in Washington for trade talks about the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden’s landmark 2022 legislation. Allies in Europe have been enraged by the $430 billion law, which they claim unfairly supports American industry at the expense of Europe.
After more than a year of debate in Congress, Biden’s Democratic Party is reluctant to alter the law. However, Biden stated that “tweaks” are possible and that the bill was not intended to exclude partners who are cooperating with the United States during discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron prior to the trade talks.
The administration hasn’t said much about the possible changes, but in his remarks, Biden suggested using the term “free trade partner” in a looser way to exempt the EU from some of the laws.
The willingness to bend on such a fundamental issue demonstrates that the United States of America and its European allies recognize the necessity of reducing disagreements in order to provide Ukraine with Western arms and other support.
It is challenging to strike a balance. From one perspective, there is a flat out acknowledgment of the requirement for fortitude over Ukraine yet then again there are significant public strategy targets the Biden organization is attempting to achieve in the US,” said Ian Lessler, a VP at the German Marshall Asset in Brussels.
“A mention of the national economic interests of the United States is required. And I believe Europe recognizes that.”
Successes have been achieved. These include the recent agreement by the G7 coalition to set a price cap on Russian seaborne oil at $60 per barrel. This was a compromise that was reached after months of discussions to resolve disagreements between countries like Poland, which wanted to set the price cap much lower, and others, who were concerned about rising energy costs.
Additionally, the United States hinted at a change in its approach to negotiations with Russia. Biden said at a news conference that he would be “prepared to speak with Mr. Putin if there is an interest in him deciding he’s looking for a way to end the war” after the meetings with Macron, who has advocated direct talks with Putin. He added that Putin hasn’t done that yet.
The remarks were quickly retracted by the White House, which made it clear that it had no intention of speaking with Putin and that there would be no discussions “about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
Nevertheless, Biden’s remarks suggested that the United States wanted to meet France halfway on the Russia talks issue without alienating Ukraine or East European allies, who insist that Russia must be defeated before any negotiations can begin.
One French diplomat stated, “We are now very much in line with the Americans.” They have gradually adopted our position, which is to maintain open communication channels with Russia.
Countries that feel caught in the middle of a standoff between the United States and Russia and are eager for a negotiated resolution of the conflict also found resonance in Biden’s remarks.
There are still obstacles, such as a dispute between Ukraine and Hungary that has caused Hungary to prevent Ukraine from attending certain NATO meetings. Additionally, as winter approaches and energy costs skyrocket, more and more people will call for an immediate end to the war.
Diplomats, on the other hand, exude confidence.
Irish U.N. Ambassador Fergal Mythen stated, “Yes, it’s impacting energy prices, and I’m not dismissing that as a problem.” I am confident that the United States of America and Europe will continue to work together toward the same goal. For Ukraine, this is a matter of life and death.”