NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he expects the United States to continue its support of Ukraine in its fight to repel invading Russian forces despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers who have cast doubt on Washington’s aid to Kyiv.
Speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers from the alliance’s 31 members, Stoltenberg said on November 28 that the allies have provided Ukraine with an unprecedented level of military support since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
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That support has allowed Ukraine “to inflict heavy losses on Russian forces,” he said, “therefore, we must continue to support them.”
Commenting on whether U.S. support will continue despite a political impasse in Washington, Stoltenberg voiced confidence aid from the United States — which so far has topped $40 billion — will continue to flow.
“I am confident that the United States will continue to provide support because it is in the security interest of the United States to do so,” Stoltenberg said.
“This is also in line with what we have agreed upon. This is what all NATO allies confirmed time and time again at our summit in Vilnius, where all leaders were present: We will provide support and strengthen it,” he said.
U.S. President Joe Biden last month submitted to Congress a previously announced request for more than $105 billion in defense aid, which included $61.4 billion in aid to Ukraine and $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, but the measure remains blocked.
In comments reported by Politico, House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican-Louisiana) on November 27 said he remains “confident and optimistic” Congress will be able to pass the aid for…
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