Trump Urges Europe to Boost Ukraine Aid as US Debates $61 Billion Package

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Europe to provide more financial aid to Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump criticized the United States for contributing over $100 billion more than Europe to support Ukraine, despite the conflict being of greater importance to the US given its geographic proximity.

Trump argued that if he were still president, the war in Ukraine would have never started, blaming the current situation on "Crooked Joe Biden and the Incompetent Democrats." He urged Europe to "GET MOVING" and match the level of financial support provided by the United States.

The former president's remarks come as the U.S. Congress inches closer to approving a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, which has been facing a critical shortage of weapons and ammunition in its battle against the Russian invasion. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the new military aid package, which President Biden has called for Congress to pass.

Why this matters: The ongoing debate over Ukraine aid highlights the geopolitical tensions and the urgent need for international support to counter Russian aggression. The outcome of the war could have far-reaching implications for global security and the balance of power in Europe.

Top NATO and European Union officials have echoed the call for more aid to Ukraine, warning that continued delays in providing air defense systems and artillery could tilt the war in Russia's favor.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged G7 foreign ministers to take quick, concrete steps to send more air defense systems to Ukraine, emphasizing that Europe cannot rely solely on Washington and must make its own decisions.

The Ukrainian military claimed a significant victory on Friday, reporting that its anti-missile units successfully shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber for the first time. Russia acknowledged that the plane had crashed while returning to base but attributed the incident to a technical malfunction rather than Ukrainian actions.

As the debate over Ukraine aid continues in the U.S. Congress, with the $61 billion package facing opposition from some conservative lawmakers, the calls for increased European support grow louder. The coming days will be crucial in determining the level of international assistance Ukraine receives as it fights to defend its sovereignty against Russian aggression.

Key Takeaways

• Trump calls on Europe to provide more financial aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
• Trump claims the war would not have started if he were still president, blaming Biden.
• U.S. Congress to vote on $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, facing some opposition.
• NATO and EU officials urge more air defense systems for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression.
• Ukraine reports shooting down a Russian strategic bomber, Russia cites technical malfunction.