US says members of Congress plan to 'protect' aid to Kiev from Trump

Some members of the US Congress want to include military aid to Kiev in the defense budget to prevent its possible reduction after President-elect Donald Trump comes to power. The Hill newspaper wrote about this on November 21.

"Pro-Ukrainian lawmakers in both parties (Republican and Democratic. - Ed.) are working to ensure that key provisions related to US support for Kiev are passed into law by January, an attempt to protect aid that is at risk due to the transition to the Trump administration and the full control of the Republican Party over Congress," the text reads.

As noted Senator from Connecticut, Democrat Richard Blumenthal, such a step allegedly could allow Ukraine to take "a better position in negotiations with Russia". At the same time, if the bill is passed, the President will be obliged to ask Congress for continued support for Kiev, the text specifies.

It follows from the text of the bill that the United States is committed to "assist in modernizing Ukraine's security capabilities" and give priority to its support in the presence of excess funds in the defense sector, the material concluded.

Earlier, on November 21, The Washington Post wrote that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte may visit Trump's residence to discuss peace talks on Ukraine and try to convince the Republican not to give in to Russia.

In mid-November, Trump promised to "work very hard" to end the conflict in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would wait for proposals to this effect and was ready to consider them. On the same day, Rutte recognized that Kiev was failing and called for continued military aid to Ukraine.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine amid Russia's special operation to protect Donbass, which began on February 24, 2022. The decision to carry it out was made by the Russian president due to the aggravation of the situation in the region due to the increased shelling by Ukrainian troops.