Experts: USA and Germany, find alternative ways to help Ukraine

2024-02-10 16:44:20, Kosova & Bota CNA

The US Senate will consider an emergency aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other allies, but the fate of aid to Ukraine is uncertain in the Republican-led House of Representatives, with former President Donald Trump opposing it. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was at the White House on Friday to discuss aid to Ukraine.

Russia continues to hit Kiev and other Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones, while its goal is to cause damage to the country's vital infrastructure. Recently, a drone attack in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed 7 people, including three small children.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday awarded the "Golden Star" order, the country's highest honor, to former army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The ceremony took place a day after Mr Zelenskyy replaced him.

In Washington, President Joe Biden met Friday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; a visit that had military aid for Ukraine at the center of the agenda. The United States and Germany are the two main donors of military aid to Ukraine. US aid has been blocked for weeks by Congress, due to opposition among many Republican lawmakers.

"The failure of the United States Congress, if it happens, not to support Ukraine is almost criminal negligence, and that is shameful," he said.

VOA asked the State Department on Thursday whether the US can continue to provide aid to Ukraine while Congress keeps the aid package blocked.

"There is no magic way to secure money. There is no other alternative when it comes to this matter. And that's why you've seen this administration vigorously defend the additional funding bill that was released last weekend," said State Department Spokesman Vedant Patel.

One expert told VOA that Chancellor Scholz and President Biden may find other ways when it comes to helping Ukraine.

"Perhaps Germany and the United States can think creatively to provide an answer to this concern. For example, if Germany has money and the United States has ammunition there may be ways to help Ukraine, even without congressional approval of aid. There may be other channels and other mechanisms," says Michael Kimmage, from the Catholic University of America.

At the White House, the German chancellor also commented on former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson's Moscow interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it "ridiculous." He called Mr. Putin's account of the origin of the war in Ukraine a fraud and said that the only reason why the Russian president started it was to occupy the territory./ VOA