The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has urged US lawmakers to reconsider their decision to omit financial support for Ukraine from a stop-gap budget bill passed to avoid a federal government shutdown. Borrell expressed surprise at the last-minute agreement in Washington and pledged that the EU would continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Borrell emphasized that European officials believe providing better arms and military equipment to Ukraine is crucial for its success.
Ukrainian officials have stressed that US backing for Ukraine has not changed, despite the omission of additional aid from the package. Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, wrote on Telegram that all of Ukraine’s key partners are determined to support the country until its victory in the war. However, the omission of additional aid has raised concerns in Kyiv, which relies heavily on western financial aid and military equipment.
Recent voting in the US House of Representatives has pointed to increased isolationism and resistance to providing further aid. A sign of the partisan divide on the issue is the fact that nearly half of House Republicans voted to strip funding from a defense-spending bill to train Ukrainian soldiers and purchase weapons. The funding was later approved separately, but opponents of Ukraine support celebrated their growing numbers.
Ukrainian parliament member Oleksiy Goncharenko has called for Kyiv to adopt new measures to receive continued support from American officials and the general public. Without it, Goncharenko believes Ukrainians have “practically no chance” of defending themselves. He proposed permanently posting Ukrainian delegates in Washington and changing the strategy to speak the language of money with the US. “How will the United States benefit from Ukraine’s victory? What will the US get? What will American taxpayers get?” Goncharenko wrote on Telegram.
Andriy Yermak (Via Andriy Yermak/Twitter)
Goncharenko’s proposals aim to address the concerns of US lawmakers who are increasingly skeptical about providing aid to Ukraine. His call for a new strategy and approach to public diplomacy highlights the need for Ukrainian officials to adapt to the changing political terrain in the US. By adopting a more nuanced approach, Ukraine can work to maintain the strong bipartisan support it once enjoyed.
The European Union’s continued support for Ukraine is crucial in this regard. Borrell’s statement that the EU will carry on helping Ukraine defeat Russia underscores the bloc’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU’s continued assistance will help to mitigate the effects of the US Congress’s decision to omit financial support for Ukraine.
The omission of financial support for Ukraine from the stop-gap budget bill passed by US lawmakers has raised concerns in Kyiv. The European Union’s foreign policy chief has urged US lawmakers to reconsider their decision, emphasizing the importance of continued support for Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have stressed that US backing for Ukraine has not changed, but the growing resistance to providing further aid has raised concerns. It is essential for Ukraine to adopt a new strategy and approach to public diplomacy to maintain the strong bipartisan support it once enjoyed, and for the European Union to continue providing assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
