CIA chief warns of risk of US 'own goal' against Ukraine

The CIA director believes that if the U.S. cuts aid to Ukraine during this difficult time, it would be a "historic own goal."

In an op-ed published on January 30 in Foreign Affairs , an American magazine on international relations and foreign policy, CIA Director William Burns wrote that President Vladimir Putin believes Russia can defeat Ukraine and weaken Western support for Kyiv if the fighting continues.

"The key to success lies in maintaining Western aid to Ukraine," he stated.

According to the CIA Director, aid to Ukraine accounts for less than 5% of the US defense budget and is "a relatively modest investment compared to the significant geopolitical benefits for Washington, as well as the substantial profits for American industry."

He argued that continuing to supply weapons to Ukraine would give the government in Kyiv a "stronger position" in any potential peace negotiations and bolster Ukraine's prospects of victory in the long term, inflicting strategic damage on Russia.

"The U.S. turning its back on the conflict at a critical moment and cutting support to Ukraine would be nothing short of a historic own goal," the CIA director emphasized.

CIA Director William Burns testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee in March 2023. Photo: AFP — CIA Director William Burns testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee in March 2023. Photo: *AFP*

Regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Burns stated that the Middle East is a region that is more unstable and prone to conflict than at any other time in his four decades of diplomatic service there.

According to him, it is important to pursue "lasting peace," leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state, ensuring Israel's security, and normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as other Arab countries.

The CIA director stated that the key to ensuring security for Israel and the region is "dealing with Iran," although he did not elaborate.

Burns is the latest senior U.S. official to publicly propose aid to Ukraine, as U.S. President Joe Biden seeks to push Congress to approve $61 billion in aid for Kyiv. However, Republicans in Congress have so far not approved the proposal, arguing that the Biden administration is prioritizing aid to Ukraine over addressing domestic issues.

The CIA director's comments also came after he secretly visited Kyiv earlier this month and briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his predictions regarding Russia's plans in the near future.

Huyen Le (According to NBC , Politico , Pravda)

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