Ukraine’s Finance Minister explains what will happen if the US stops helping Ukraine
11 December 2024 15:42
Ukraine has the funds and weapons to resist the Russian occupiers until at least mid-2025, even if the United States refuses to support it. Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said this in an interview with the Spanish edition of EL PAÍS, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The official noted in a conversation with a journalist of the publication that the main need of the Ukrainian army today is the supply of drones, and also emphasized that the Russian occupiers suffered record losses in November.
What is the material potential of the resistance in Ukraine?
First of all, the Minister of Finance expressed his belief that the budget will have enough money to finance military spending.
“I think we have enough money, enough weapons, enough missiles and artillery shells to resist at least until the first half of 2025. We will provide sufficient budgetary allocations for the purchase of ammunition and necessary military equipment in 2025,” Sergiy Marchenko said, as quoted by Yevropeiska Pravda.
The official reminded that Ukraine is currently receiving the necessary weapons from the United States.
“This means that at least for the first half of the year and beyond, we will be well armed to resist this aggression,” the Minister of Finance of Ukraine summarized.
What to do in case of termination of the US aid
The Minister of Finance acknowledged that the possible termination of aid is a serious challenge for Ukraine’s defense capabilities, but not an inevitable collapse.
“We must have a plan to create the necessary conditions for cooperation with the new administration. It is in Ukraine’s natural interest to build trust for cooperation. I think this should be a priority strategy for both Ukraine and Europe,” he emphasized.
In order to cope with the uncertainty over the continuation of aid, Ukraine must use the time “very wisely” and be able to negotiate with the new administration, the minister said.
How the United States is currently helping Ukraine
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a significant new security assistance package. This package includes an additional $988 million through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which will provide Ukraine with ammunition for missile systems and unmanned aerial systems. The package also includes support for maintenance and repair programs to help Ukraine rebuild its armed forces and build and sustain combat power.
The assistance package includes, among other things
– ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS);
– unmanned aerial systems;
– equipment, components and spare parts for maintenance, repair and overhaul of artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles.
This is the twenty-second package under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. This package brings total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 to more than $62 billion.
