Challenges in providing aid to Ukraine

SGGP 03/10/2023 06:06

Reuters reported on October 2nd that the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) met in Ukraine (the first meeting held outside EU borders) to demonstrate the bloc's support for Kyiv.

Concerns from the US and Slovakia

Previously, to prevent a government shutdown, the US Congress removed funding for Ukraine from the emergency spending bill last weekend. There is now growing opposition to funding for Kyiv within the Republican party. However, the administration of US President Joe Biden continues to affirm its commitment to providing aid to Kyiv.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (left) and EU High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy Josep Borrell

Meanwhile, in Europe, the Smer Social Democratic Party of former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico won the most votes in the country's parliamentary elections and has the opportunity to form a new government. During his campaign, Fico emphasized that "not a single bullet" from Slovakia's stockpiles would be sent to Ukraine. Speaking to the press after the election results, Fico stressed: "We have not changed our position that we are ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Slovakia is ready to help rebuild Ukraine, but our position on supplying weapons to Kyiv has also been made clear."

Slovakia is a NATO member state that shares a border with Ukraine. Under its outgoing government , Slovakia has taken in refugees and supplied Kyiv with a significant amount of weapons.

The EU's unwavering stance

On his social media account X (formerly Twitter), Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy, shared: “We have convened a historic meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ukraine, a candidate and future member of the EU. We want to express our solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine.”

Previously, according to the European Defence Agency, seven EU member states had placed orders for ammunition as part of a joint procurement plan established in March to urgently aid Ukraine and replenish the West's dwindling stockpiles.

Responding to Reuters, the European Defence Agency stated that the countries in question have ordered 155mm artillery shells, the type most widely used by Ukraine in the current conflict. These shells are related to four modern artillery systems designed and manufactured in Europe: the French Caesar, the Polish Krab, the German PzH2000, and the Slovakian Zuzana C/2000. According to Reuters, the joint ammunition procurement plan, launched by the EU in March, is worth at least €2 billion, with the goal of delivering 1 million artillery shells and missiles to Ukraine within 12 months.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed pride in hosting the first meeting held outside the EU. Regarding the US Congressional move, Kuleba affirmed that Kyiv still trusts in US support and considered the recent decision by Congress to be merely "an incident."

Regarding developments in Slovakia, Kuleba believes it is too early to assess how the election will impact support for Ukraine. "We have to wait until a new government is formed," Kuleba said.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thach-thuc-trong-vien-tro-cho-ukraine-post708148.html