Ukraine admits it will be 'very difficult' if US stops aid; appoints new commander of special operations forces

It is likely that aid to Ukraine will come with certain conditions related to the need to control the amount of money the country receives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander of the Special Operations Forces, Major General Viktor Khorenko at a base in the Donetsk region, Ukraine on July 29, 2023. (Source: Reuters)

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada ( Parliament ) Finance Committee of Ukraine, MP Daniil Getmantsev confirmed on November 3 that the government has developed a "Plan B" in case Kiev no longer receives aid from Western countries.

Asked in an interview with Rada TV channel whether Kiev had a backup plan, Getmantsev said: “Of course (there is a Plan B), but I would not put the question in a way that we need to take any steps in case we do not receive help, because we still believe that aid will be provided...

It is likely that the aid will be subject to certain conditions regarding the need to control the amount of money we receive. Perhaps the aid will be at a different level, but it will certainly be there. We are studying this issue.”

Regarding the process of drafting the state budget for 2024, MP Getmantsev stressed that “the financial situation is quite difficult” because there is no guarantee that Kiev will receive financial support from the West “in the necessary amount”.

“The 2024 budget envisages financial support of $42 billion, but of the amount secured, we only have $15 billion in support from the European Commission and a program with the International Monetary Fund,” he said.

Commenting on the controversy in Washington surrounding the policy of supporting Ukraine, Mr. Getmantsev admitted: “So far, we have not received a guaranteed figure (of aid) from the US for next year. We understand that without this support, it will be very, very difficult for us.”

Also on November 3, President Volodymyr Zelensky decided to replace the Commander of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF).

According to the decree published on the website of the President of Ukraine, Colonel Serhiy Lupanchuk was appointed as the new Commander of SOF, replacing Major General Viktor Khorenko.

The press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine has not yet given a reason for this change.

SOF is a branch of the Ukrainian military that specializes in special forces missions such as reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, psychological warfare, and other operations.

Last month, President Zelensky replaced the head of the country's Territorial Defense Forces.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ukraine-thua-nhan-se-rat-kho-khan-neu-my-dung-vien-tro-bo-nhiem-tu-lenh-moi-cua-luc-luong-tac-chien-dac-biet-248668.html