On April 18, 2024, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken both emphasized the urgent need for the US Congress to pass a new military aid package for Kyiv in the fight against Russian aggression. The two officials highlighted the critical importance of providing Ukraine with the necessary support to effectively defend itself against Russian attacks.
Kuleba stressed that it was crucial for the US’ own interests to ensure Ukraine’s ability to resist the Russian assault, while Blinken emphasized that it was vital to provide Ukraine with the resources it needed to defend itself against Russian aggression. Both officials also echoed each other’s concern about the significant impact that passing this supplemental aid package could have on saving Ukrainian lives from further violence.
The aid package has faced obstacles in Congress, specifically from Republicans who have been reluctant to provide additional support for Ukraine. However, Kuleba referenced recent events such as the Russian missile strike in Chernihiv, which killed at least 18 people, as a tragic example of why immediate action is needed.
At a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting on Capri, discussions were scheduled to address support for Ukraine and its ongoing conflict with Russia. The US House of Representatives was set to vote on new military aid over the weekend, including approximately $61 billion in support for Ukraine. Both Blinken and Kuleba emphasized that immediate action is necessary if they want to prevent further tragedy and ensure that Ukraine can effectively defend itself against Russian aggression.
In conclusion, both Blinken and Kuleba are calling on Congress to take urgent action by passing a new military aid package for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. They believe that this supplemental aid will help save Ukrainian lives from further violence and ensure their ability to defend themselves effectively.