Ukraine’s first lady spoke with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, a day after Republican senators in the US blocked a key aid bill – BBC reports.
Olena Zelenska warned that Ukrainians face “mortal danger” if Western countries do not continue their financial support.
The White House cautioned that US funds for Ukraine could soon run out as Republicans are blocking a deal for more aid. The bill would have provided Ukraine with more than $60 billion in aid. Republicans are doing so in an effort to get President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress to compromise on funding for US border measures in exchange for their support.
Nearly two years after the conflict began, the first lady expressed grave concerns about funding delays. In an exclusive interview, Olena Zelenska told the BBC that the slowdown in aid delivery posed a “mortal danger” to her country (the interview will be available on Sunday).
We really need the help. In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we die.
Ukraine is still hoping for a US aid package after the Senate debacle; the future outcome of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia depends on support. President Biden additionally said that failure to negotiate aid to Ukraine would be a “gift” to President Vladimir Putin, and warned that history would “judge harshly those who turned their back on freedom’s cause.”
British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, during a visit to Washington this week, urged the US to resolve differences and give Ukraine all the resources it needs to wage war because the US is the “lynchpin” of the Western coalition backing Ukraine.
Full-scale support in Washington is not guaranteed, but Ukraine cannot continue without the wealth and support of other countries.
