Ukraine – an Eastern European nation at the heart of Europe – is in the middle of a major political crisis. The country’s war-time leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, is in Washington this week in a desperate move to save a crucial package of financial aid ahead of the winter holiday recess.
It’s an uphill battle for the Leader of the Nation of Ukraine, who is facing a seemingly impossible mission. Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has declared that a deal before the Christmas break is ‘practically impossible’, although he has shown his steady support for Kyiv’s efforts to hold onto its autonomy and re-establish order in the civil war-torn region.
This latest move from McConnell follows a recent escalation in tensions between Russia and Ukraine. In 2014, Russia annexes the Crimean Peninsula, and the Ukrainian warriors fought tooth and nail with the Russian-backed separatists. Violent skirmishes by rebels has now led to what is known as the War in Donbas, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been holding steady against the Russian invasion.
Though the international consensus has firmly aligned against Russia’s aggression against their neighbour, the task of securing a financial package is no easy feat. McConnell’s reluctance to provide financial aid to Ukraine serves to impede upon the country’s ability to beat back against the Russian-led forces.
Nevertheless, Zelensky is willing to go to new lengths to secure the package for his country. He has taken a risk by travelling to Washington, knowing full well that McConnell has grown colder to the idea of foreign aid over the past few years.
However, this commitment to the Ukrainian cause is not in vain. Despite the strong opposition of Senate Republicans, the tide seems to be turning in favour of Ukraine with the recent addition of two Senators to the bipartisan group for the much-needed financial package. With their support, Zelensky is two steps closer to achieving his ultimate goal.
Bringing the story back home, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has also backed Zelensky’s efforts. He believes that the financial package from the United States is a vital lifeline for his nation’s defense against the ever-encroaching Russian presence. The package of $391 million in military and energy assistance holds the potential of saving Ukrainian lives and protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Indeed, Zelensky has much to gain from this diplomatic mission to Washington. Already, the financial package has received the green light from the U.S House of Representatives. But with McConnell’s continued opposition, and with his speech on Tuesday, the future of the package remains on rocky ground. Nevertheless, Zelensky is determined to make a breakthrough, and will be looking to the upcoming Senate hearings to make it happen.
At the end of the day, Zelensky’s efforts reveal a man willing to do anything for his country. Through his perilous journey to Washington and his continued advocacy for Ukraine’s financial aid aid package, it is clear that he is willing to risk it all for the sake of his people and his nation. He is an inspiration to all, and with any luck, that inspiration will translate into the UK’s financial aid.
