Ukraine and other allies are calling on the European Union not to relax.
Washington has agreed to provide additional billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, but Kyiv and other allies are calling on the European Union to “not relax,” Politico writes.
“We all welcome the decision of the House of Representatives of the US Congress… But we in Europe cannot and should not relax. The defense of Europe is primarily the business of us, Europeans,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba.
It is noted that last week, European heads of state and government promised to strengthen support for Ukraine in the field of air defense after Germany announced that it was sending the Patriot air defense system to Kyiv. But renewed support from Washington risks easing pressure from the EU, according to two European diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“We… will see… more American supplies and then we will see how this affects the overall calculation,” Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson said.
So far, only a few EU countries have publicly responded to Berlin’s call to send Ukraine air defense systems, although a senior diplomat said some countries may provide air defense support on a non-public basis. Six EU countries have Patriot – Germany, Poland, Greece, Romania, Spain and the Netherlands.
Ukraine’s supporters stressed that U.S. support should not diminish the sense of urgency among European allies. “We cannot falter. I understand that there is great relief that the United States is back in action… but this does not take the pressure off Europe. We still have to continue to increase the momentum,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius said Landsbergis.
After a telephone call with Joe Biden on April 22, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “I told President Biden that this decision would encourage Europe to further strengthen its own military support for Ukraine.”
The case of supporters of Ukraine
The authors point out that within months, Ukraine has been demanding more artillery, air defense systems, long-range missiles and fighter jets, while frontline soldiers and leading politicians say they risk not only losing ground on the battlefield, but also losing the war. The funding will likely only help stabilize Ukraine’s position for this year and begin preparations for operations in 2025.
In the long term, the American aid package does not change the situation in which Europe finds itself. The bloc must strengthen its own support for Ukraine and strengthen its own defense capabilities, rather than continuing to rely on the US security umbrella. The prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House has helped shape this security rethink, the article says.
US assistance
After funding is approved by the US Senate, which is expected on April 23, and signed by President Joe Biden, Ukraine will receive another aid package. The House of Representatives said military aid to Ukraine would arrive “faster than expected.”
US President Joe Biden assured that if approved by the Senate, he will immediately sign the law on assistance to Ukraine.
