European leaders say they cannot fully replace US support for Ukraine as funding fears grow

European leaders said Thursday that the 27 countries are unable to fully replace U.S. support for war-torn Ukraine. However, they said they were “absolutely convinced” that Kiev’s biggest financial and military backer would soon reach a deal on further aid.

At the European Political Community Summit in Granada, Spain, European leaders sought to reaffirm their full commitment to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. The meeting comes in the wake of political turmoil on both sides of the Atlantic.

In the US, President Joe Biden acknowledged on Wednesday that he fears the recent chaos in Congress could affect US aid to Ukraine after disagreements among Republicans complicated budget negotiations. However, he stressed that a majority of lawmakers in both major parties support funding for Kiev.

In Europe, pro-Russian former Prime Minister Robert Fico won elections in Slovakia last weekend on a promise to end military aid to Ukraine.

"I was in Kiev a few days ago when we learned that the US Congress did not include support for Ukraine in the big budget deal, in order to avoid a deadlock," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Granada on Thursday.

“This was certainly not expected and it is certainly not good news, but I hope this is not the final position of the United States,” he said. “Ukraine needs the support of the European Union, that is for sure, it will have it and we will strengthen it. But also the support of the United States.”

Asked whether Europe could fill the void left by the US amid concerns about Washington's continued support for Kiev, Borrell replied: "Of course Europe cannot replace the US."

Zelenskyy “Safe in America”

Russia welcomed news that a new US funding law had been passed without new aid for Ukraine. Viktor Bondarev, head of the Russian Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee, said via Telegram that this was "the beginning of the end for Ukraine."

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared resolute on Thursday. In a speech to European leaders in Spain, Zelenskyy said he was "safe in America" ​​as he referred to recent "political storms."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was working on a 50 billion euro ($52 billion) package for Kiev from 2024 to 2027, calling it "very important because Ukraine maintains the predictability and credibility that direct budget support needs."

Addressing concerns about long-term US support for Ukraine, the EU chief said: "It was very important that President Biden informed us earlier this week about what support for Ukraine from the United States looks like.

"As I look at the situation in the United States, I have great confidence that the United States will support Ukraine. The United States is working for time," she added.

The US will stay on board.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, meanwhile, said he was "absolutely convinced" that the US would continue to support Ukraine's war efforts.

“Not at all,” Rutte said when asked if he was concerned that the Biden government might reduce its support for Kiev.

Rutte said that senior Democratic and Republican members of the US House of Representatives recently visited The Hague and “fully agreed on the need to continue support for Ukraine because it is about our shared values ​​[and] it is about our shared security.”

"We cannot accept that one country invades another country in 2022 or 2023, so I am absolutely convinced that they will solve this problem," he added.

Asked whether the EU might intervene if the US does not resume support for Ukraine, Rutte said: "That is not necessary. The EU will do what is necessary, [and] the Netherlands is among the countries that contribute the most to supporting Ukraine. .. but I am absolutely convinced that the US will stay on board."

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