Blinken explains how best to respond to Putin's aggression in Ukraine
The United States is focused on making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to get strongly through this next year of 2024.
Source: European Pravda, citing remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an interview with CNBC in Davos
Details: Blinken said that private sector investment in Ukraine, working with other countries to help Kyiv repel Russian aggression, and reforms on Ukraine’s pathway to EU membership are the best response to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Quote from Blinken: "You put those three things together, you can see a Ukraine that not only survives, but thrives. That’s the best answer to Putin. And it’s also the best answer for us, because it means they’ll be off on their own two feet."
More details: Blinken insisted that the US presidential administration must make sure that Congress provides supplemental funding for Ukraine, as requested by Joe Biden.
"We are working very hard on that. I believe strongly there is bipartisan support in both Houses, we just need to tip it," Blinken added.
Blinken stressed that if the US allows Putin to get away with it and reduces its assistance to Kyiv, then Washington will open a Pandora's box, and Putin will not stop at Ukraine. Moreover, other aggressors will follow suit.
"Look, I think he would go full tilt on Ukraine and then NATO countries. And of course, if he attacked a NATO country, we have an Article 5 obligation under NATO to work to assist them. That would bring us in directly. We want to prevent that and make sure it doesn’t happen," he summed up.
Background: It was reported earlier that US President Joe Biden will host Congressional leaders and senior politicians at the White House on 17 January to discuss the request for supplemental funding, including military aid for Ukraine.
Compromise has been hindered, in particular, by House Speaker Mike Johnson's position, which demands a much tougher approach to deterring migration at the US-Mexico border than the Senate negotiators agreed to.
The United States announced its latest military aid package to Ukraine, worth US$250 million, on 27 December. The White House later said that it had no more funds for further military support for Ukraine until it is approved by Congress.
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