Borrell: EU cannot replace suspended US aid to Kyiv

The European Union cannot compensate for aid to Ukraine that was suspended by the United States, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters.

“Of course, Europe cannot replace the United States. Of course, we can do more, but the US is indispensable in helping Ukraine,” he said (quote according to TASS).

The head of European diplomacy also expressed hope that the United States will continue to support Ukraine.

The US Congress managed to agree on a short-term budget on September 30, which will allow the US government to operate for the next 45 days until the next vote. wrote “Vedomosti”. The document, voted on in both houses of parliament and signed by the country’s President Joe Biden, does not provide funding for Ukraine. Borrell after that statedthat the European Union will continue to provide support to Ukraine, as well as work with the United States so that Washington continues to help Kyiv.

The decision of the Congress does not mean a stop to aid to Ukraine, since part of the funding goes through alternative channels, noted experts interviewed by Vedomosti. The Wall Street Journal later reported that the Pentagon had $5.2 billion left in military aid to Kyiv.

October 2 Borrell toldthat the European Union can agree on the allocation of another 5 billion euros for military assistance to Ukraine by the end of 2023. He added that the EU plans to continue to cooperate with the Ukrainian authorities in the areas of the defense industry, deactivation of explosive devices and the fight against disinformation. Borrell also confirmed that the EU plans to train about 40,000 Ukrainian fighters, including pilots for F-16 fighter jets, by the end of the year.