In recent developments, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has accused former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson and former President Donald Trump of delaying a crucial $60 billion aid package for Ukraine.
What Happened: McConnell expressed his satisfaction on Tuesday over the imminent approval of the aid package, but voiced his disappointment over the time it took to secure adequate Republican support, NBC News reported. He singled out Carlson and Trump as the main culprits for the delay.
"The demonization of Ukraine began by Tucker Carlson, who in my opinion ended up where he should have been all along, which is interviewing Vladimir Putin," McConnell said.
"And so he had an enormous audience, which convinced a lot of rank and file Republicans that maybe this was a mistake."
McConnell added that Trump’s “mixed views” on Ukraine further complicated the situation.
"And then our nominee for president didn't seem to want us to do anything at all," McConnell said.
"That took months to work our way through it.”
See Also: What Happens If Trump Gets Convicted? Will He Go To Prison? — Here’s How It’s Likely To Play Out
Why It Matters: The $95 billion aid package for Ukraine encountered resistance from conservative factions within the Republican party. Despite this, McConnell has consistently backed the aid. The Senate advanced the legislation on Tuesday with an 80-19 vote, and a final vote for passage is anticipated soon. President Joe Biden has committed to signing it into law.
Earlier this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined to watch Carlson’s controversial interview with Putin.
In March, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán revealed Trump’s intentions to halt financial aid to Ukraine if he wins the next U.S. presidential election.
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