Essay by Eric Worrall
Ukrainian President Zelensky could have both jeopardized any remaining support he has with US Republicans, by forcing climate action to support Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says climate change policy is impossible without peace
Posted yesterday at 4:13 am, updated yesterday at 7:38 am
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message broadcast at the COP27 climate conference in Egypt.
Main attractions:
- Mr. Zelenskyy criticizes the impact of war and aggression on global collective action on climate change.
- Ukraine hosts an exhibition space for the first time at a UN climate conference
- Andrew Forrest calls for a halt to undersea mining at COP27
“There can be no effective climate policy without peace,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.
“This war of Russia has caused an energy crisis that has forced dozens of countries to resume coal-fired power production in order to lower the price of energy for their people… lowering prices that are skyrocketing due to aggressive action. Russian intentions.
“[It] has caused a serious food crisis for the world, affecting those who are already suffering from the existing manifestations of climate change.
“The Russian war destroyed 5 million acres of forest in Ukraine in less than six months.”
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Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-09/zelenskyy-blames-russia-cop27-climate-change/101631956
President Biden generously supported President Zelenskybut this support is costing the US a lot of money.
However, Congress will likely be in the hands of Republicans in the future, and Congress will control the purse. Whether the United States continues to support Ukraine to some extent will depend on Zelensky’s relationship with the American Republican party.
Congressional Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy has indicated that he will not write any blank checks.
House Republicans split over aid to Ukraine ahead of midterm deadline
McCarthy says Congress won’t ‘write blank checks’ while another senior Republican says Ukrainians should ‘get what they need’
Julian Borger in Washington Wednesday, October 19, 2022 06.24 AEDT
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Kevin McCarthyHouse minority leader, told News about Punchbowlwebsite on Tuesday: “I think people are going into a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine.“
“They won’t do it,” McCarthy added. “It’s not a free blank check. And then things [the Biden administration] don’t do it domestically: don’t do it at the border and people are starting to consider that. Ukraine is important, but at the same time it can’t be the only thing they do, and it can’t be a blank check. “
Hours later, however, Republican ranking on the House foreign affairs committee, Michael McCaul, who is likely to run the committee should Republicans win in November, argued. Need to increase arms supply to Ukraine.
“We have to give them what they need. When we give them what they need, they win,” McCaul told Bloomberg TV. In particular, he mentioned the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a longer range than the system missiles that the government is currently supplying.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/18/republicans-ukraine-midterm-eliminations
I understand Zelensky’s motives, in his place I would talk to anyone and everyone, and say anything, to get the weapons needed to fight Russia.
But entering the climate change arena is playing with fire, in ways that Zelensky may not be aware of. Supporting the opponents of those currently holding purses in the United States is a dangerous move, for someone so utterly dependent on the continued generosity of the United States.
Zelensky should remember, the United States is under no obligation to help. America is not about signing blank checks to fund every good feeling for good reasonespecially as Europe may have to do more to pull their weight.
Trillions of dollars Europe plans to waste on renewable energy the next few years is only available because the US helps pay for Europe’s defense – otherwise Europe would need most of that money to fund its troops and equipment, rather than rely on the US to pay the bills. So I totally understand people who feel Europe and the rest of the world are taking American generosity for granted.
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