Support for Ukraine in the US Congress will not weaken, assures a senator to AFP

The United States will continue to release large envelopes for Ukraine, despite the hostility of some Republicans, wanted to reassure the influential Democratic senator Sheldon Whitehouse in an interview with AFP Thursday, just before flying away for the Munich Security Conference

Support for Ukraine in the US Congress will not weaken, assures a senator to AFP

The United States will continue to release large envelopes for Ukraine, despite the hostility of some Republicans, wanted to reassure the influential Democratic senator Sheldon Whitehouse in an interview with AFP Thursday, just before flying away for the Munich Security Conference.

Question: With a revamped Congress, can the United States still enact massive aid for Ukraine? How will you reassure your allies in Munich?

Answer:

"We will tell them above all that America supports Ukraine in a cross-partisan way and in both houses of Congress," said Sheldon Whitehouse.

To support this message, the Democratic senator is going to the Bavarian capital alongside the powerful elected Republican Lindsey Graham.

According to Mr Whitehouse, the hostility of the hard right to the release of new large envelopes for Ukraine is greatly exaggerated: "The (elected) eccentrics attract media attention, but I think the vast majority, including Republicans in the House, want to continue supporting Ukraine, as long as there are no concerns around corruption."

It is "possible" that an agreement will be reached in Munich on the delivery of combat aircraft to kyiv, also underlined the elected representative of Rhode Island. However, he urged "other allies" to contribute to the effort, in order to invalidate Vladimir Putin's accusations of an alleged "proxy war" waged by the United States in Ukraine.

Q: You are one of the most involved senators on the climate issue. What bills can the US Congress expect to pass on this issue with a Republican majority in the House?

A: "I have long been in favor of a carbon tax at the borders", confides the senator, believing that "on this whole file, the European Union has a very important role to play".

The European Union has indeed adopted in mid-December an unprecedented mechanism commonly called "carbon tax at the borders" which consists in applying to imports from the Twenty-Seven the criteria of the European carbon market to avoid ecological dumping.

A similar project could soon be adopted in the United States, thanks to a "consensus" solution with the Republicans, predicts Senator Whitehouse, who for years has urged America to "wake up" on climate issues.

“One of my messages to the Europeans in Munich will be to continue to push forward on carbon tax issues at the borders,” says Sheldon Whitehouse. "Don't let any American ask you for an exemption, a delay, to slow down or to procrastinate," he laughs.

Q: The subject of Sino-American tensions will also be discussed in Munich. Do you think there's some kind of hysteria or paranoia around China in the US Congress right now?

A: "I think some elected officials in Congress are using China as a way to launch political attacks on President Biden. But that doesn't change the fact that China's behavior has become much more belligerent," says the senator.

“So I think it is very appropriate to try to contain Chinese belligerence while trying to restore our economic balance after years and years of being exploited,” he adds.

16/02/2023 23:26:51 -         Washington (AFP) -         © 2023 AFP