Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has urged U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) to deliver Ukraine funds before Christmas.
The news comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with members of congress to plead for Ukraine aid.
Mr. Abbott looked visibly concerned as he pleaded with Mr. Johnson to provide Ukraine with what they needed for freedom.
Speaking at the Wall Street Journal CEO Council summit in Washington, Mr. Abbott acknowledged the U.S. border crisis but expressed it was worth helping the Ukrainians.
Mr. Abbott was elected as a director of Fox Corporation in November and was speaking in his capacity as a UK trade advisor.
“I absolutely take your point about the need to sort out the chaos on the border, but just because you can’t get both things right, isn’t it better to get one thing right,” Mr. Abbott said.
“So could I please appeal to you please don’t go home for Christmas without at least giving Ukrainians what they need to fight for their freedom.”
In response, Speaker Johnson said he believes the United States can do both, and candidly noted the damage the open southern border was doing to the country.
“You’ve echoed the request that I’ve made to the White House since Oct. 26 and that morning, and they’ve not come forward to help in any way,” Mr. Johnson said.
Ukraine Funding Demand
The U.S President Joe Biden has put in a request for US$105 billion in spending from Congress, including about $60 billion for the Ukraine. However, a standoff is growing as Republicans push for stricter border policies before more funding is provided to Ukraine.Mr. Johnson reiterated the United States needed to fix its border, and take care of its obligations.
“We have to fix our own border. It should not be a controversial notion. We should have done it a long time ago, and the interesting thing about this, is that it’s a policy change that is very simple to do. The president could easily do this. But they are unwilling, and I cannot for the life of me understand why,” he said in response to Mr. Abbott.
“So we will take care of our obligations. But when I go home, my constituents, and constituents all around this country, are demanding that we get control of that border. And we can do both.”
Mr. Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington on Dec. 12, holding a joint press conference at the White House.
Biden Calls On Congress To Stand With Ukraine
The president explained he had called on Congress to “do the right thing” to stand with Ukraine and stand up for freedom.“Congress needs to pass the supplemental funding for Ukraine before they break for the holiday recess—before they give Putin the greatest Christmas gift they could possibly give him.” Mr. Biden said.
“And so—because we’ve seen what happens when dictators don’t pay the price for the damage and the death and the destruction they cause, and they keep going when no price is paid. The threats to America, to Europe, and the world will only keep rising if we don’t act. And I intend that we act.”
President Zelenskyy said it was really important to be in the White House and said Ukraine could win the war.
“And today is a special day—a very special day for Ukraine, Ukrainian people. It’s the day of our land forces—almost 600,000 incredibly brave Ukrainian sons and daughters—are on the battlefield. And they are powerful. And this is their day. They prove every day that Ukraine can win,” he said.
“Our goals for 2024 are clear: Take away Russia’s superiority and disrupt their offensive operations. And I think it’s real.”
