Trump holds back as GOP splits over $61 billion Ukraine aid package

The issue of aid to Ukraine has divided the U.S. Republican Party after former President Donald Trump softened his stance, The New York Times reported on April 20.

The House of Representatives' vote to provide Ukraine with nearly $61 billion in U.S. aid was "the clearest sign yet" that, at least on foreign policy, the Republican Party is not fully behind Trump.

Trump has softened his opposition to aid to Ukraine in recent days, NYT wrote. In addition, he "stayed quiet" on the day of the vote, refusing to put pressure on Republicans.

However, some of his staunchest supporters, like Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, led the charge against the aid package. In contrast, Representative Lauren Boebert criticized Democrats as they displayed Ukrainian flags during the vote.

Read also: U.S. House of Representatives passes $60 billion Ukraine aid bill

Even Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., joined in criticizing House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Trump, meanwhile, seemed to navigate a middle path in his public comments. On social media, he acknowledged the importance of Ukraine's "survival and strength" to the U.S. but questioned, "Why isn’t Europe giving more money to help Ukraine? Why is it that the United States is over $100 Billion Dollars into the Ukraine War more than Europe, and we have an Ocean between us as separation?"

Other Republicans, like Congressman Larry Bucshon, invoked Ronald Reagan to justify their support for the aid. Bucshon argued, "Helping Ukraine win its fight against Russia is squarely in the best interest of the American people and our national security. Vladimir Putin's ambitions do not end in Ukraine."

The passage of the aid package in the House without any stipulations marked a setback for Trump, who had advocated for providing aid in the form of loans rather than grants.

Read also:

• Ukraine's Foreign Minister declares U.S. aid bill a 'bad day for Putin'

• Andrzej Duda hails U.S. decision on Ukraine aid as key to halting Russian aggression

• Approval of aid package for Ukraine will make both Europe and North America safer - Stoltenberg

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on April 20 to allocate $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine. Bill No. 8035, prepared by the team of House Speaker Mike Johnson, was supported by 311 congressmen, 112 voted against, and one abstained.

The U.S. Senate approved a bill to help Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan for a total of $95 billion on Feb. 13, 2024 (including $61.4 billion to help Ukraine). The Republicans, who have a minimal majority in the House of Representatives, argued that the delay was due to the White House's disregard for American interests and speculated on the issue of protecting the U.S. southern border.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine