US is preparing a deal that could unblock aid to Ukraine – media

The text of a possible agreement under which Ukraine could receive tens of billions of dollars in aid could be published as early as this week. James Lankford, the Republicans’ lead negotiator on the issue, said this, Politico reported on Jan. 8.

As journalists noted, in the fall Republicans took a position that they would not allocate funds to Kiev if their demands to limit the flow of migrants through the southern border were not met.

The article states that Senator Lankford’s latest words are a sign that his talks with fellow Democrats Kyrsten Sinema and Chris Murphy may bear fruit. Senators and U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration are reportedly working on a deal that could increase asylum standards for immigrants and possibly give the administration new deportation and enforcement powers.

“This deal has to work. Everyone really expects it to work,” Lankford told the media.

At the same time, the authors of the publication noted that it is currently unknown whether the agreement in question will become law. According to US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, he has not yet been informed about the details of the senators’ meetings.

Journalists also emphasized that it is not yet clear whether there is a framework agreement. Murphy and Sinema said in a statement Friday evening that they still have work to do and are unsure if they can reach a deal this week.

Let us recall that on January 7, US President Joe Biden called on members of the Republican Party in Congress to approve additional financing of over $60 billion for Ukraine.

Earlier, on January 5, the media wrote that US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson was considering the possibility of direct negotiations with President Joe Biden on aid to Ukraine and border policy.