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Ukraine supporters want Biden to energize his war effort pitch to the American public

11 August 2023 19:36 (UTC +04:00)

Ukraine backers on Capitol Hill are itching for President Joe Biden to step up his case for why theU.S. should send more money to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, as warning bells sound about the American public’s support for Kyiv, APA reports citing CNN.

White House officials are confident the $24 billion dollars for Ukraine the president requested Thursday will ultimately get the congressional backing it needs to make it to his desk, and administration officials say they have no plans to change their message about the urgency of fighting Russian aggression against its neighbor.

But a major concern among Ukraine supporters in Congress this summer is what precarious position they might be in down the road – especially if public support falters heading into a bigger showdown over funding that could play out before year’s end.

Some of the strongest defenders of Ukraine aid on Capitol Hill have been making the case to the White House publicly and privately that they need to do more to explain the strategic benefits of sending U.S. money abroad. Among them is Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has gone out of his way to try and tamp down concern abroad that Republicans are losing interest in backing the effort.

Even Republican leaders in the Senate had hoped Biden would do more to sell the importance of U.S. assistance.

“He needs to be more vocal on why it’s needed,” another GOP member said. “I don’t think [it’s] too hard a sell knowing the Russians are committing war crimes and that they are a threat to our allies.”