On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., questioned Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander on the burden-sharing between the United States and European allies in regard to military aid for Ukraine during the House Armed Services Committee hearing on U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in Europe.
“The American people are sick and tired of this,” said Waltz. “If I had a hundred dollars for every speech that a defense secretary has written in the last twenty years begging our European allies to step up, I would be a very rich man, but they have not. The United States has subsidized European security and social programs for the last twenty years.
“So, when does this end? When do they actually get to the point and what are the consequences if they do not?” questioned Waltz. “We have been pushing for decades across multiple administrations and sending strongly worded memos over tea and crumpets in Europe and it is not getting the job done.”
Waltz pointed to a poster of the largest donors of military aid to Ukraine by country. “So, here’s what I need for you to take away, this continued support is at risk domestically and politically here if we do not see the administration getting results, not asking forcefully, getting results in terms of this pathetic contribution here.”
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