Now he warns that the matter is at the top of the agenda.
The turnaround could mean a long-awaited breakthrough for arms aid from Ukraine’s most important ally, the United States.
Despite the fact that there should be an overwhelming majority among both Democrats and Republicans to give Ukraine the weapons and ammunition it needs to repel Russian aggression, Johnson has paid more attention to a small, conservative minority in the “House” who are in the extreme right wing of the party, and which is mainly controlled by Donald Trump.
Desperate plea from Zelenskyj
Donald Trump has control over large parts of the Republican Party. Photo: NTB
These representatives largely sympathize with Trump, who has as one of his main campaign issues stopping the flow of immigrants in the southern United States.
Although Joe Biden has put forward several compromise proposals, Trump has turned the thumbs down on Ukraine support as long as the border with Mexico is not closed.
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The Senate, where the Democrats have a majority, passed the financing package for Ukraine several months ago. However, Mike Johnson has refused to submit the Ukraine package for a vote in the House.
“If we don’t get support from the United States, that means we have no air defense, no Patriot missiles, no jammers for electronic warfare and no 155-millimeter artillery shells,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Washington Post.
Will provide support as a loan
Although Johnson has outwardly signaled that he believes it is important to support Ukraine, he has not been willing to deal with the matter on its merits. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are on the defensive and hard pressed.
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Now Mike Johnson promises that the matter will be considered in the House of Representatives. One of the conditions is that the support must be given in the form of loans, which Ukraine must repay at a later date.
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– The American aid package for Ukraine will contain some important innovations, including the possibility of extending an American loan to Ukraine, says Johnson, according to The Hill.
– We have spoken to all the members
Johnson confirms that he plans to put the Ukraine aid up for a vote when the House convenes over Easter.
Johnson says at the same time that he is in a difficult position as the Republicans have a narrow majority in the House.
– Regarding the supplement, we have worked to build consensus. We have spoken to all the members.
He also says he is open to using seized Russian assets, which are frozen in the United States, and giving these funds to Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia.
