WASHINGTON, March 15. /TASS/. Europe is no match for the United States in terms of volumes of military aid provided to Ukraine, and cannot substitute the US in this regard, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell told PBS in an interview.
When asked whether the European Union can provide military aid to Ukraine in enough quantity to replace US assistance, the diplomat replied: "Nobody can compete with the US Army and the US military capacities. And, certainly, if you could stop doing that, no one else can take your place."
In his words, the United States is a "stronger supporter" because it has "a stronger military capacity."
White House’s request
The US government earlier sent a request to Capitol Hill for additional budgetary appropriations in the fiscal year 2024, which began in the United States on October 1, primarily to help Israel and Ukraine, as well as to counter China and Russia in the Asia-Pacific Region. In all, the US executive branch of power, led by Democratic President Joe Biden, would like to receive about $106 billion for these purposes.
The fate of the request and alternative bills remains uncertain. A group of Republicans in the House and Senate has spoken out in recent months against continuing financial aid to Kiev. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has consistently warned that he intended to link further aid to Ukraine to tighter control of the US southern border.
On February 13, the US Senate passed a bill allocating $95 bln in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. However, this package contains no mention of measures to toughen control on the southern border of the United States.