Blinken warns of risks in case of leaving Ukraine without U.S. aid
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Getty Images)
If the U.S. Congress does not approve the aid package to Ukraine proposed by President Joe Biden, it will pose a real problem for Kyiv in the conditions of the war with Russia, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an interview with CNBC in Davos.
"We need to make sure that with Congress, we get the supplemental funding that President Biden has asked for. We’re working very hard on that. I believe strongly there is bipartisan support in both houses, we just need to land that," he said.
Blinken emphasized that there is no magic money pot.
"If we don’t get that money, it’s a real problem. It’s a real problem for Ukraine. I think it’s a problem for us and our leadership around the world," he added.
Speaking about his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Blinken stated that they discussed the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine. "And even as we speak, the Russians continue to launch missiles at Ukrainian infrastructure, at civilians, at apartment buildings. So, we talked about two things. We’re focused on making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to get strongly through this next year, 2024," he said.
According to Blinken, Russia continues to face strategic failure in Ukraine. "We have a strong interest in making sure that persists. And if we let Putin get away with this, if we drop our guard and everything we’re doing for Ukraine, then you open a pandora’s box and he will not stop with Ukraine and others, others would be aggressors in other parts of the world, they’re take the lesson," he said.
At the same time, Blinken said that assistance to Ukraine will not be endless. "This is not a forever war. And it’s not a forever expense for us either. Even as we’re helping Ukraine in the moment to defend itself, working with dozens of other countries, we’re working so that Ukraine can stand strongly on its own two feet militarily, economically, democratically, private sector investment," he added.
The U.S. Secretary of State also mentioned that the reforms in Ukraine to join the European Union and investments can make Ukraine a country that not only survives but also thrives. "TThat’s the best answer to Putin. And it’s also the best answer for us because it means they’ll be able, they’ll be off on their own two feet," he added.
Aid to Ukraine
In the fall of 2023, President Joe Biden requested over $100 billion from Congress for national security needs. The package includes over $60 billion in new funding to assist Ukraine. Congressional Republicans refused to support the aid, demanding stronger immigration legislation.
On January 12, the White House announced that aid to Ukraine is suspended until Congress approves new funding.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Davos that Ukraine will receive assistance from Europe and the United States, and a decision will be made within weeks.
