The US asserted that its role is “extremely important in supporting Ukraine” both in terms of weapons supplies and coordination with other countries.
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| Mr. John Kirby warned of the risks if Ukraine does not continue to receive aid from the US. (Source: Reuters) |
White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby made the above comment at a regular press briefing on January 22, stating that it is possible that European countries will refuse to support Ukraine if the US stops doing so.
“Some of our allies and partners may make different decisions if they see US leadership faltering, or if Washington withdraws support for Kiev. This could have catastrophic consequences for Ukraine,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited a draft document saying that the European External Action Service is developing a new plan to create a fund to overcome Hungary's veto on aid to Ukraine.
The plan includes the creation of a special military fund worth more than 20 billion euros ($22 billion), of which 6.5 billion euros will be drawn from the assets of the EPF (European Peace Facility).
The fund will provide up to €5 billion in compensation annually from 2024 to 2027 to member states that jointly purchase military aid for Ukraine, such as ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles. The remaining money will be used to cover the costs of the EU's military training program for Ukraine.
The newspaper quoted the draft as saying: "In 2024, the project could propose to give member states compensation for military aid worth nearly 7.5 billion euros."
The WSJ stressed that this aid project would allow smaller EU member states with small ammunition stocks to focus their resources on joint procurement to provide “larger aid to Ukraine.”
The new fund will make it easier for European countries to work with Ukraine to ensure the resources it needs most are provided. The structure of the new fund will help avoid aid that is often blocked or used as “leverage” by Hungary to demand something in return.
At the Brussels Summit in mid-December 2023, Hungary vetoed an increase in the EU's long-term budget for 2024-2027, including 50 billion euros in macro-financial assistance to Kiev.
The proposal is likely to be discussed by EU leaders at a summit on February 1, but any final decision could take weeks, the WSJ said.
Earlier, a senior European source told reporters in Brussels that the EU continues efforts to provide long-term military aid to Ukraine under the European Peace Fund, including the eighth tranche of funding.
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