There has now been an ongoing conflict for sometime between Russia and Ukraine. Last year, in 2022, Russia escalated this ongoing conflict via a “special military operation” into what is now considered open warfare. The United States, in response to this direct escalation, has supplied (along with European allies) a variety of economic packages and other materiel, including military arms. Since this escalation last year, the United States has provided over $40 billion between economic and military aid. In addition, the United States has supplied weapon systems from artillery to armoured vehicles. The United States has easily become the largest benefactor of Ukraine. Despite this aid, the current Russo-Ukrainian war has yet to end and it doesn’t appear either side has made decisive impacts.
As the conflict in Ukraine has progressed and, with it, the steady commitment of resources towards this conflict, some congress people have begun vocalizing concerns. Some House Republicans are split over the continuation of these commitments to Ukraine. Some House Republicans have proposed reductions or even prohibitions of continued military assistance to Ukraine (e.g. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.). Many are concerned with ongoing domestic issues as well as concern for our own military readiness. Indeed, military resources committed to Ukraine are military resources drawn away from supplementing our own armed forces. Recently, attention on the global stage has been captured by Israel and Palestine. Palestinian militants had recently conducted attacks in Israeli territory, widely considered by many nations a terrorist attack.
In direct response to this recent Israeli military action, the United States has made reactive plans to commit $14 billion in emergency military aid to Israel. Despite what appears to be an extremely disproportionate conflict, many agreed with the decision to allocate military aid to Israel. One congressional finance staffer was quoted as having said, “We already have the money, might as well spend it on Israel. Not like Ukraine has lost yet.” This new military aid is on top of continued yearly aid already provided to Israel.
However, as resources are debated in congressional halls, Ukraine has decided to take the initiative given recent US decisions. Last week, in a surprising decision, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently announced to the world his decision to declare war on the state of Palestine. Many were shocked by this decision, but Zelenskyy’s motivations seemed rather obvious as the decision to declare war was made minutes after US plans to send Israel aid.
President Zelenskyy was quoted as having said, “Ukraine is committed to becoming a major regional power. We believe that we can cement our position in the Middle East with Israel by ganging up on Palestine.” As President Zelenskyy exited the United Nations meeting in his 2023 Lamborghini Huracan, he was quoted shouting out of his window “Death to Hamas!”
Many UN representatives were seen ogling Zelenskyy’s luxury sports car and his designer suit. Some nations were heard murmuring the pros and cons of also joining in on this war. Some Palestinian militants at the UN meeting were heard debating the odds of receiving US military aid if they instigated a civil war.
Many have voiced skepticism in Ukraine’s decision to open a second front against Palestine given its current ongoing conflict with Russia. Additionally, many have questioned the logistics required for Ukraine to wage war in Palestine.
In response to these recent decisions by Ukraine, many US congress people have begun drafting additional military aid packages to Ukraine. Previous resistance and concerns regarding Israeli military aid have since vanished.
