Rejecting aid for Ukraine: Is the GOP returning to its isolationist roots?

IT BECAME clear over the weekend that US politics and the 2024 presidential election could have a major impact on the war in Ukraine, as a growing number of Republican politicians are now criticising US military and economic aid for Ukraine and calling on Washington to embrace a more detached role even if that means playing into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Indeed, the US aid to Ukraine has become a central issue in the ongoing fight in Congress over the federal budget culminating in Sunday’s vote (Oct 1) to avert a government shutdown.

As part of a deal between the Republicans and Democrats, leaders of the two parties agreed to jettison US$6 billion from the short-term bipartisan spending bill that would fund the US government until November 17.