News - Middle East: US lawmakers have proposed a major cut in aid for Ukraine ahead of a looming government shutdown, despite US President Joe Biden's repeated promises to increase Washington's support to Kyiv.

With just days remaining before a possible federal closure, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle reached the conclusion that continued all-out support to Kiev to fight the proxy war against Russia could do irrevocable damage to them.
In order to avoid the crippling US government shutdown, Democrats and Republicans were forced to compromise, agreeing on Tuesday to slash nearly $20 billion in proposed aid for Ukraine following push-back by some Republicans.
"It’s bad policy to bankrupt our own country to send money to Ukraine,” libertarian-leaning Senator Rand Paul said in a post on X. “I will not consent to easy passage of any spending bill that includes funding for Ukraine. Those in charge of this bill need to either take it out or will have to fight me every step of the way.”
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said "Senate Democrats and Republicans worked in good faith to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution that will keep the government funded and avert a shutdown.”