A CHARM OFFENSIVE FALLS SHORT: Much like Ukraine’s disappointing summer/fall counteroffensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s mission to convince reluctant Republicans in Congress to expedite desperately needed supplies to his battle-weary troops “did not achieve the desired results.”

By linking the $60 billion in aid to the perennially contentious border debate over asylum policy and presidential parole authority while refusing to meet the Democrats halfway, Republicans have made it highly likely no U.S. aid will be flowing to Ukraine before next month at the earliest, when Congress returns from its Christmas break.