Macron calls on Europe to be ready to compensate for reduction of U.S. aid to Ukraine
Emmanuel Macron, President of France (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged European countries to be prepared to compensate for any potential reduction or cessation of aid to Ukraine from the United States, according to Le Figaro.
During a press conference in Stockholm with Swedish President Ulf Kristersson, Macron called on Europeans to support Ukraine "in the long term" and addressed the challenges in the U.S. regarding the funding of further assistance for Ukraine.
"We must organize ourselves so that if the United States makes a sovereign choice to stop or reduce this aid, it should not have an impact on the ground," emphasized the French president.
Concerns about U.S. aid for Ukraine
In October of last year, U.S. President Joe Biden submitted a $106 billion bill to Congress for assistance to Israel and Ukraine, as well as allies in the Asia-Pacific region. Of this amount, $61.3 billion was proposed for Ukraine, and $14.3 billion for Israel.
However, in December, the U.S. Senate blocked the start of debates on this aid package, with Republicans demanding stricter measures to protect the southern border of the U.S. with Mexico.
Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Congress of potential consequences if lawmakers do not pass a bill allocating funds for assistance to Ukraine.
Recently, The Washington Post reported that the Biden administration is working on a long-term strategy to support Ukraine, shifting the focus away from territorial de-occupation and concentrating on helping resist new Russian advances, including strengthening the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the country's economy.
France's assistance to Ukraine
France has been one of the key European allies supporting Ukraine in the full-scale war against Russia. Paris actively provides financial and military aid to Kyiv.
It was recently revealed that France has altered its tactics of supplying weapons to Ukraine. Pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are set to arrive in France in 2024 for training as part of military assistance. Additionally, Ukraine and France are reported to be expanding cooperation in the field of anti-air defense.
