Ukraine worries about U.S. aid cut, White House reassures

President Biden pledged unwavering support for Ukraine amid battlefield setbacks, but opposition in Congress to the $60 billion aid request prolongs the process. Concerns heightened during recent visits to Washington by Ukrainian officials, pressing for military funding and budgetary aid. This is reported by Washington Post.

Despite numerous meetings, no immediate commitments were secured. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Kyiv aimed to allay concerns, meeting with Zelensky, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Gen. Valery Zaluzhny. Traveling with Austin in Kyiv was Gen. Christopher Cavoli, leading the U.S. European Command and acting as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe. This marked Cavoli’s initial trip to the Ukrainian capital since the complete Russian invasion in February 2022.

Austin informed reporters post-meeting with Ukrainian officials, stating, “Our lawmakers pose pertinent queries and we will address them. However, it’s essential to note that Ukraine’s affairs hold significance, impacting not only Ukraine but the entire globe.” Austin and Cavoli’s visit aimed to affirm unwavering American backing despite concerns about potential dilution due to Israel’s conflict with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attack by Hamas. He reassured that Ukrainian forces were adequately equipped to confront Russia through the winter, despite prior setbacks in summer and fall. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliament’s commissioner for human rights emphasized, that without U.S. aid, they cannot halt the Russian invasion nor survive.