Sen. Mitch McConnell has been instrumental in keeping enough members of his own party on board to pass the increasingly politicized aid package, as Republican support has been eroding the longer the conflict drags on.
As for whether the renewed military aid is enough to make a difference on the ground, McConnell told Fox News the cost to the U.S. is relatively small considering what’s at stake.
"It's actually only .2% of our gross domestic product. So put in that context: it is not a lot of money for us, but it is very significant step for them, because it gives them the more sophisticated weapons they need to hold the Russians at bay and we’re optimistic these people want to win. I mean the Russians are trying to take their country and they have enormous incentive and it doesn’t require any of our personnel," McConnell said. "We are not getting any Americans killed, we are helping them defend their independence and also degrade the military of one of our biggest adversaries, the Russians.
During a press conference, McConnell said he believes Republicans are beginning to push back on isolationist thinking that’s taken hold in the party. Yet he acknowledged that trend continues.
On the vote count on the aid package, the GOP leader said it moved in the direction he wanted to see, adding, "I'd call that progress."
