After meeting with British Foreign Minister David Cameron, Thursday (7/12), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated both countries’ support for Ukraine.
The Blinken-Cameron talks at the US State Department took place a day after Republicans in the US Senate blocked $110 billion in aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as several security measures on the US southern border.
Blinken said, “Our countries are on the same page in terms of continuing to do everything possible to ensure that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s aggression remains a strategic defeat and failure for Russia, and are determined to ensure that Ukraine continues to stand on its own two feet firmly as a sovereign and independent country.”
Blinken said there was “unwavering support” among NATO and other countries that have provided aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February last year.
This week marks Cameron’s first visit to the US as British foreign secretary.
Cameron said that all the economies of Ukraine’s allies, namely the US, UK and the European Union, combined, would outperform Russia by a ratio of 30 to 1. What needs to be done is, continued Cameron, to make this economic strength also visible in economic, diplomatic and support. moral and military for Ukraine.
That’s why Cameron said in the US Congress that the war was not only about European security, but also about US security. “If we don’t stop Putin in Ukraine, he will come back,” he continued.
Blinken said the US has provided more than $70 billion to support Ukraine, while its European allies have provided more than $110 billion. He added that “when we talk about sharing the burden, this is a very strong example of that.”
US President Joe Biden has asked Congress for nearly $106 billion to fund Ukraine’s war with Russia and Israel’s war with, in addition to needs at the US border.
Wednesday’s vote resulted in 49 votes in favor and 51 against. It would take 60 votes in favor for the legislation to pass. (uh/ab)