An Offer Impossible To Refuse*

*Editor’s note: On March 4, 2022, Russia enacted a law that criminalizes public opposition to, or independent news reporting about, the war in Ukraine. The law makes it a crime to call the war a “war” rather than a “special military operation” on social media or in a news article or broadcast. The law is understood to penalize any language that “discredits” Russia’s use of its military in Ukraine, calls for sanctions or protests Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It punishes anyone found to spread “false information” about the invasion with up to 15 years in prison.

Dmitry Drize — on the topic of the prospects for American aid to Kyiv.

Before the vote in the U.S. Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he would accept any conditions for the provision of American aid. Currently, Congress is actively discussing the fact that this time funds will not be issued unconditionally, as was assumed before, but as a loan. This week, the House of Representatives returns from its recess. House Speaker Mike Johnson promised to put the matter of supporting Kyiv to an immediate vote. Kommersant political analyst Dmitry Drize believes that the chances for a positive decision are high.

Zelenskyy agreed to receive American aid as a loan. During a national telethon, the Ukrainian president explained how he discussed this matter with a certain distinguished guest from the U.S, but did not specify whom he talked to. The individual was likely Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, whom Russia has classified as a terrorist and extremist. It seems he made an offer that was impossible to refuse.

Zelenskyy made it clear that this is exactly how it happened: his mysterious confidante asked whether was opposed to being loaned the weapons. Why? he said. Do I have a choice? he said he would agree to any conditions. Zelenskyy also reacted positively to Emmanuel Macron’s idea about sending European armies to Ukraine. The Ukrainian president is not against that idea; he would accept the French contingent or any other with delight, as in Odesa in 1918, for example. By the way, the events unfolding before us raise interest in history; a lot of people recall that very landing, which, however, as we know, ended without any significant results.

But let’s not get distracted by remembering the past. The coming week seems to be very important for Ukraine. We could even say it’s a decisive week for the country. Presumably, on April 9, American members of Congress return from recess. House Speaker Johnson promised to finally put the bill to fund Kyiv to a vote. However, Trumpist Republicans are still ready to torpedo the plan.

The bill’s passage is conditioned on supplying funds as a loan, as mentioned above, secured by frozen Russian assets. For now, it’s unclear if this is the final demand or if negotiations will continue. They’re also discussing lifting the ban on exporting American liquefied natural gas. The White House has rejected any agreement to challenge the Greens, who have demanded that the president stop any further pollution of our poor planet.

Whatever the case, Zelenskyy stated that, without Washington’s support, Ukraine could lose. At the same time, peacemakers got actively involved again, first among them Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, China and the Holy See. They have made it clear that if the U.S. ultimately says no, then the parties should revive the negotiation process, as there’s no other way out. Europe won’t make it, no matter what Macron says. Nonetheless, so far, the outlook is positive that the bill before Congress will pass, although we cannot be certain. And yes, indeed, it’s very curious how the Old World will conduct itself — it slowly begins to realize that, in the future, it can only rely on itself.