OPEN LETTER/ Come to the dialogue and listen to me speak, otherwise I will cut off your scholarships, you will rot in prison. Please!

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

Will the conflict in Gaza divert the attention of American voters from Ukraine?

2024-05-14 22:29:00Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Will the conflict in Gaza divert the attention of American voters from Ukraine?
The war in Ukraine

As Russia launched a new offensive in northern Ukraine this week, the US presidential race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump focused on another foreign policy crisis - the war in Gaza. As VOA correspondent Katherine Gypson reports, keeping American attention on Ukraine can be difficult.

Residents of Vovchansk, in the northern tip of Ukraine, were evacuated just hours before Russia announced it had taken control of the town.

Ukraine is struggling to take advantage of more than $50 billion in aid from Washington, approved last month. President Biden has said for months that aid to Ukraine is a central part of America's national security policy.

"If the United States gives up now, it will endanger Ukraine. Europe is in danger. The free world will be in danger and will encourage others who wish to do us harm. My message to President [Vladimir] Putin is simple: We will not give up," said President Biden.

But analysts say presidential elections are rarely about foreign policy.

"The issue of Ukraine is rarely mentioned in polls, and less than 5% of people think that foreign policy is important. When we talk about foreign policy, we are talking about the relationship we have with China, the confrontation with Putin and what is happening in Gaza", says James Thurber, professor at American University.

Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said the United States sends too much aid abroad. Earlier this year, the former president said he would not defend NATO allies if Russia attacked them.

"I would not protect them. In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever they want," Mr. Trump said.

This message was aimed at voters concerned about American involvement abroad.

"The 20 years of the war on terrorism and the so-called 'endless war' likely changed many Americans' attitudes about foreign intervention. That's why Donald Trump was successful in 2016. That's why he's guaranteed the party's nomination for this year's election," says Barbara Perry from the University of Virginia.

The backlash against approving military aid to Ukraine put some Republicans in a difficult position this election year. But after months of delay, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a supporter of Mr. Trump, allowed the military aid to be voted on.

"Better to send bullets to Ukraine than American soldiers," Mr. Johnson said.

With protests against the war in Gaza taking place at American universities, analysts say there is a larger discussion about how US aid is spent abroad.

“I know young voters who are worried about student loans. They wonder why we are spending these billions of dollars, sending weapons to Ukraine and Israel? Why don't we use them domestically for issues that need attention here?” says analyst Barbara Perry.

Aid to Ukraine approved by Congress in April is likely to be the last of this year before the presidential election in November./VOA


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×