US will cut Ukraine aid only when it becomes self-sufficient: Ukrainian FM comments on State Department's statement
The United States will reduce aid to Ukraine only when it can do without this support, which will definitely not happen in 2024.
This is how the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, commented on the statement of the US State Department regarding the reduction of aid in an interview with journalist Vadym Karpiak on Instagram.
It is worth noting that the day before, the spokesman of the State Department, Matthew Miller, stated that the American military financing of Ukraine will not be maintained at the level of 2022-2023.
The US aims to make Ukraine independent in the production and procurement of weapons.
"The goal is to change Ukraine finally […] to get back on its feet and help it build its own industrial base and its military-industrial base so that it can both finance and produce and buy ammunition on its own," Miller explained.
However, he added that the US "has not yet achieved this," and that is why, according to him, it is so important that Congress passes a bill on additional funding for Ukraine.
"We are not yet at the stage when Ukraine can defend itself, relying only on its forces," the spokesman of the State Department emphasized.
Miller stated that the US believes Ukraine will emerge from the war independently, strong, with an improved economy, and looking westward.
After the statement of the spokesperson of the State Department, several Ukrainian media wrote that the US plans to reduce military support in 2024.
However, the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, said that Miller's words were misunderstood.
"We are not talking about support in 2024. The State Department said that when Ukraine is firmly on its feet and has enough weapons and resources to counter Russian aggression, the amount of support can be reduced," explained the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
Kuleba also noted that Miller himself admitted that today, Ukraine cannot provide itself with weapons on its own and needs support in the declared amount.
Therefore, the support will not be reduced in 2024, and, according to Kuleba, Ukrainians should not panic because of this statement of the State Department.
"Don't worry. Don't look for additional reasons to throw yourself into a state of agony and depression," advised the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
For reference:
It should be noted that the USA has run out of money intended to finance military aid to Ukraine. In this regard, President Joe Biden asked Congress for more than 100 billion dollars, which includes more than 60 billion dollars for Ukraine.
Congress is currently divided over the package, with Republicans pushing to include proposals to strengthen border security, particularly with Mexico.
Biden's request has so far not been approved due to political disputes and Republicans' unwillingness to vote for it until their initiatives are included in the package.
In turn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, commented on the delay in military aid to Ukraine: Western countries will continue military support to Ukraine, so there is no alternative plan B in case of its termination.
