The European Union will continue to support Ukraine regardless of potential changes in US policy if Donald Trump returns to the presidency, EU High Representative Josep Borrell stated, as reported by Ukrinform.
If Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November 2024, there could be significant changes to US policy toward Ukraine. Trump has previously expressed skepticism about continued aid to Ukraine and suggested he could quickly negotiate an end to the conflict with Russia, which might lead to reduced military and financial support for Ukraine
Addressing questions about possible shifts in aid to Ukraine under a new US administration, Borrell emphasized the EU’s commitment: “I don’t know what the American administration will or will not do. For now, the support from the European Union – military, civilian, economic, financial and humanitarian – is greater than [aid] from the US.”
According to Borrell, the EU has paid over 100 billion euros ($119 bn), 45 billion euros ($50 bn) of which have gone to military support.
Borrell recalled the initial expectations at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, saying that “no one expected Ukraine to be able to resist, as Russia ranked fourth in the world in military spending, while Ukraine was only 35th.”
He highlighted the evolution of EU support, saying, “At the beginning, remember what we offered Ukraine? Helmets! Now we’re offering F-16s, and there’s a certain difference there.”
“One thing is clear to me: as long as Ukraine resists, we must support it. Otherwise, we will make a historic mistake,” The EU High Representative said.
According to US State Department calculations, Washington has provided over $55 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
On 6 September, the US Department of Defense announced a new $250 million military aid package for Ukraine, including air defense missiles, ammunition for rocket systems and artillery, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons.
On 11 September, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new support package for Ukraine exceeding $700 million, which includes funding to assist Ukraine’s energy system and humanitarian aid.
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