The CIA director said that if the US cut off support for Ukraine during the current difficult time, it would be a "historic own goal".
In the comment posted on January 30 above Foreign Affairs, an American magazine about international relations and foreign policy, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns writes that President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia can defeat Ukraine and weaken its support. The West reserved for Kiev as the war dragged on.
"The key to success lies in maintaining Western aid to Ukraine," he said.
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 large profits for American industry”.
He argued continued arms supplies to Ukraine would give the government in Kiev a “stronger position” in any potential peace talks and strengthen Ukraine's prospects for victory in the long run, causing strategic damage to Russia.
"For the US to turn its back on the conflict at a critical time and cut off support for Ukraine would be tantamount to a historic own goal," the CIA Director emphasized.
CIA Director William Burns at a hearing in the Senate Intelligence Committee in March 3. Image: AFP
Regarding the war between Israel and Hamas, Burns said the Middle East is a very unstable region and more prone to conflict outbreaks than at any time in the four decades he worked in the diplomatic service here.
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 and other Arab countries.
The CIA director said that the key to ensuring security for Israel and the region is "dealing with Iran", although he did not say specifically.
Burns is the latest senior US official to publicly propose support for Ukraine, as US President Joe Biden is seeking to push Congress to approve $61 billion in aid to Kiev. However, the Republicans in the US Congress have not yet passed the proposal because they believe that the Biden administration is prioritizing support for Ukraine rather than solving domestic problems.
The CIA Director's comments also came after he secretly visited Kiev earlier this month and informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of his predictions about Russia's plans in the near future.
Huyen Le (Follow NBC, Politico, Pravda)
