Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has expressed confidence that Ukraine can count on U. S support.
His remarks come after U.S Congress averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term funding package that dropped assistance for Ukraine in its battle against Russia.
Washington has been a significant supporter of Kyiv’s efforts in the war.
Last month, the U.S Department of State revealed that the country had invested nearly $44bn in security assistance since Russia launched its military offensive in February 2022.
Kuleba opined, “The question is whether what happens in the US Congress last weekend is an incident or a system. I think it was an incident.”
“We have a very in-depth discussion with those parts of the Congress, Republicans and Democrats and against the background of the potential shutdown in the United States,” Kuleba said.
“The decision was taken as was, but we are now working with both sides of the Congress to make sure that it does not repeat again under any circumstances,” he added.
“So we don’t feel that the U.S support has been shattered … because the United States understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much bigger than just Ukraine, it’s about the stability and predictability of the world. And therefore I believe that we’ll be able to find the necessary solutions.”
Dmytro Kuleba
Many U.S. lawmakers acknowledge that winning approval for Ukraine assistance in Congress is growing more difficult as the war grinds on.
Some Republicans oppose further military aid for Ukraine, arguing that domestic needs are greater.
Nonetheless, the U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday, October 1, 2023, reassured Ukraine of continued U.S financial support for the war effort
“We cannot under any circumstances allow America’s support for Ukraine to be interrupted. I fully expect the speaker to keep his commitment to secure the passage and support needed to help Ukraine as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality.”
Joe Biden
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign ministry Spokesperson, Oleg Nikolenko stressed on Facebook that previously approved funds would be unaffected.
“Support for Ukraine remains unwaveringly strong in the U.S administration, in both parties and chambers of the U.S Congress, and most importantly, among the American people,” he wrote.
Ryabkov Says U.S Support For Ukraine Has Not Changed
According to state news agency, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said that the U.S Congress decision to pass a stopgap funding bill that dropped aid for Kyiv did not mean that Washington’s support for Ukraine would change anytime soon.
“They will continue their support,” Ryabkov said.
“We should not think that anything has changed: it’s just a show for the public, it’s just noise. Fundamentally, Washington’s focus on supporting its client in Kyiv is not changing.”
Sergei Ryabkov
Also, Kremlin Spokesman, Dmitry Peskov stated that fatigue with the Ukraine war would grow in the U.S and Europe.
“Fatigue over this conflict – fatigue from the completely absurd sponsorship of the Kyiv regime – will grow in various countries, including the U.S,” Peskov said.
Nonetheless, he added that the U.S will “continue its involvement in this conflict.”
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