1 month ago
14
Secretary of state
Antony Blinken
stated on Friday that
Ukraine
is on its way to being able to "stand on its own feet". This announcement comes as more than 20 other nations have committed to maintaining their military and financial aid to Ukraine, even if the
United States
withdraws its support under a different administration.
US secretary of state, Blinken, for the first time addressed the situation in which former President
Donald Trump
could win the upcoming November election and potentially retract the support of US to Ukraine, which has been crucial under
President Joe Biden
in its fight against the Russian invasion.
Blinken highlighted the significance of international pledges to assist Ukraine, including those from Nato partners, Japan, and the European Union. He reassured that even if the US were to renege on its support, these countries would continue their commitments to the nation.
Trump's previous statements have fluctuated between criticising and supporting US aid to Ukraine, while his running mate, Sen JD Vance, has spearheaded Republican efforts to block substantial military and financial assistance to the country since
Russia
's invasion in 2022.
Concerns have grown among Ukraine and its supporters about the potential loss of essential US backing amid Trump's ascending campaign and Biden's faltering performance. On Friday, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in a phone conversation, which both leaders subsequently acknowledged publicly.
"I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation's freedom and independence," Zelenskyy wrote on X. He added that they agreed "to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting."
Trump expressed his appreciation for Zelenskyy's outreach on his social media platform and pledged to "end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families."
Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, Blinken emphasised the bipartisan backing in Congress for Ukraine due to concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's territorial ambitions and influence expansion.
"Every administration has an opportunity, of course, to set its own policy. We can't lock in the future," Blinken stated.
He highlighted the security agreements from the Nato summit in Washington, which were endorsed by the United States and over 20 allies.
"Were we to renege on that ... I suppose that's possible, but happily, we've got another 20 some-odd countries that are doing the same thing," Blinken said.
Blinken emphasised that Ukraine is on a trajectory to ensure it "stands on its own feet militarily, economically, democratically."
English (US) · 