2024-04-02 18:45:36
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Tuesday that Ukraine is going through a “critical moment” in its war with Russia and needs more urgent Western support, expressing his regret at the deadlock witnessed in Congress over a multi-billion-dollar military aid package to Kiev.
“It is absolutely necessary to provide the Ukrainians with what they need to defend themselves, especially when it comes to munitions and air defenses,” Blinken told reporters during a visit to France.
He added: “This is another reason why President Biden’s supplemental budget request to Congress must be approved as quickly as possible.”
Biden urged the US House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Republican Party, to approve the military and financial aid package, but House Speaker Mike Johnson postponed the vote for several months, citing domestic priorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that if Kiev did not receive aid, the Ukrainian army would have to take “small steps” back.
Blinken, along with French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, visited a Nexter weapons factory that supplies Ukraine with howitzers.
In recent weeks, French President Emmanuel Macron has adopted a tougher stance towards Russia, amid fears that Ukraine will lose territory and support in the war, especially at a time when American support is declining.
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