Ukraine ‘can't afford' it if US quits conflict
Under the previous US administration, Washington was Kiev's largest donor. Since returning to office earlier this year, however, US President Donald Trump has not approved any new military aid for Ukraine, while the last remaining assistance package authorized under former President Joe Biden is expected to run out by mid-summer.
Despite pledging on the campaign trail to end the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, Trump has recently warned he may 'back away' from peace mediation unless Kiev and Moscow reach a deal. He has also questioned US commitments to NATO allies unless they boost defense spending, repeatedly insisting the EU should handle its own security and regional conflicts without depending on Washington.
Podoliak praised Europe for taking a firm pro-Ukrainian stance in the current conflict, but said it is currently too busy with its own rearmament to sufficiently support Kiev.
'Europe is rearming and changing its foreign and military policy… however, this transformation takes time. Unfortunately for Ukraine, that time is measured in lives lost,' he stated.
'We cannot afford to let the United States disengage from this war, because its military support is essential for both Europe and Ukraine,' he said, reiterating Kiev's warnings that Russia 'is a threat to Europe' and 'wants to dominate' it – claims that Moscow has repeatedly dismissed as nonsense.
Russia has repeatedly condemned Western military aid to Ukraine, stating that it merely prolongs the conflict and hinders peace efforts. Last week, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in three years in Istanbul. Both delegations agreed to stay in contact and to carry out a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner-of-war swap, which transpired on Sunday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow and Kiev are expected to exchange draft ceasefire proposals once the swap is finished.
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