Putin [Pu-truschev] should note that ‘A week is a long time in politics.’

In my previous blog entry (6 December 2023) I wrote that,

"Having succeeded in their bid to block aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, amongst other measures, the Republicans in the US Senate have not only given Putin [Pu-trushev] the best Xmas present that he could ever have wished for, but may also have laid the groundwork for a possible modern-day "Pearl Harbor" to be set in motion that will involve NATO." (blog entry 6 December 2023)

It should therefore come as no surprise that Putin's [Pu-truschev's] Russian TV propagandists are lauding the blocking of aid to Ukraine by US Senate Republicans.

Russia Media Monitor : 8 December 2023 : YouTube

Underscoring the dangers of the blocking of aid for Ukraine by Republicans at this critical  juncture in Ukraine's war with Putin [Pu-truschev], Elizabeth Haigh reports that,

 "The first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska (left) has warned the world will 'let Ukrainians die' if they do not continue their support as the war with Russia comes towards the end of its second year.
...
The Ukrainian first lady said: 'We really need the help. In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die'.

'And if the world gets tired, they will simply let us die.'

'It hurts us greatly to see the signs that the passionate willingness to help may fade. It is a matter of life for us. Therefore, it hurts to see that.'" (Mail Online : 9 December 2023) (my emphasis)

Furthermore, as Gabriela Baczynska and Andrew Gray report,

"The European Union will find ways to provide more financial support to Ukraine even if Hungary vetoes it as well as membership talks for Kyiv at a summit next week, a senior official said on Friday.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (right) has threatened to block moves to give Kyiv 50 billion euros in budget support through 2027 and the green light for membership talks - a key strategic objective for Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion.

Failure to deliver on those two proposals would come as a heavy blow to Ukraine, exhausted after nearly two years of a war that has descended into a fierce attritional battle with little change to the front lines this year." (Reuters : 8 December 2023) (my emphasis)

CRUX : 7 December 2023 :  YouTube

Meanwhile, as reported by Le Monde (with AFP),

"French President Emmanuel Macron met with Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday, December 7, in a bid to break the deadlock ahead of an EU summit after the Hungarian leader threatened to block further backing for Ukraine.
...
Macron welcomed Orban at the Elysée Palace for a working dinner from 1930 GMT to discuss "several subjects" on the agenda for the EU summit next week ..
...
The dinner will mark a rare welcome by a major Western European leader for the Hungarian strongman, who has retained closer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin than any other EU leader, even after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine." (Le Monde with AFP : 7 December 2023) (my emphasis)

Haber Lütfen : 8 December 2023 : YouTube 

Whilst Macron has laid out the red carpet for Victor Orban, Barbara Moens, Jakob Hanke Vela, Clea Caulcutt and Hans von der Burchard report that,
 
“We have no time for games [with Victor Orban] at this moment,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (left) said earlier this week.

“If we are in a situation where peace in Europe is under attack, then we must do everything we can every day and every hour to protect our people, and even more so the people of Ukraine.” (Politico : 7 December 2023) (my emphasis)

The contrast between French Macron and German Baerbock regarding Victor Orban could not be starker. 

In similar vein, the contrast between US President Biden and US Republican Senators and Congress members regarding aid for Ukraine could also not be starker.

Putin [Pu-truschev] may be pleased indeed with US Republican Senators and members of Congress over their blocking of aid for Ukraine, just as he (they?) is pleased with the stand taken by his comrade in arms, Victor Orban, over EU aid for Ukraine.

But for how long?

In 1964, in the lead up to the British election, the late Harold Wilson (left) is supposed to have coined the famous phrase, ‘A week is a long time in politics.’

It would be wise for Putin [Pu-truschev] to take heed of what Wilson said  59 years ago.

    

 

(to be continued)