Drop in US aid to Ukraine would be 'bad signal': Zelenskyy

INA-  sources

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, issued a dire warning on Sunday, stating that a reduction in US help to Kyiv would send a bad message. US President Joe Biden is facing a Republican filibuster on more funding.

Zelenskyy encouraged Germany to utilise its economic might to persuade other EU members to support Kyiv in its war against Russia, given that US help may be decreasing.

“Passivity from the United States or the lack of support would be a bad signal,” he told German national broadcaster ARD.
That is not right for anyone, Zelenskyy warned.

“Germany can manage to consolidate the EU,” he said, in response to a question on whether he hoped that Berlin would take on a bigger role should help from the United States fall away.

“Many countries have important economic relationships with Germany and their economy is dependent on Germany’s decisions because Germany has a strong economy,” he said.

In a separate interview on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz encouraged European countries to increase their arms promises to Ukraine, threatening to cut off aid from the United States, which is by far the largest provider.

“Europe must do more to support Ukraine in the defence of its own country,” Scholz told Die Zeit weekly, adding that the contributions that European nations have earmarked for 2024 so far are “not big enough.”

Biden has made it a top priority to support Ukraine, and US financial and military support have been essential in enabling the pro-Western nation to repel a considerably more powerful Russian invasion force.

Opposition Republicans, meanwhile, have spearheaded a campaign to scuttle the initiative, refusing to approve fresh budgetary expenditures until the Democrats approve comprehensive, stringent new anti-illegal immigration policies.

In light of the US election year, which may once more pit Biden against Trump, Zelenskyy has issued a warning, stating that a Trump comeback to the White House will probably result in a “different policy” towards the conflict.



source: firstpost