Today US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Ukraine is at a "critical stage" from the war with Russia and is pushing for more Western aid. He expressed regret at the impasse in the US Congress regarding the military aid package worth tens of billions of dollars for Kiev, Reuters and BTA reported.
„It is absolutely essential that we give the Ukrainians what they continue to need to defend themselves, especially in terms of ammunition and air defense,” Blinken told reporters during his visit to France.
„This is one more reason why the additional budget request that President (Joe) Biden has made to Congress must be implemented as quickly as possible,” he added.
Blinken and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecorneau earlier today visited a factory where arms manufacturer “Nexter” manufactures self-propelled howitzers “Cesar“. Lecornu said that “Nexter“ works to increase the production of 2 howitzers “Cesar“ per month compared to 6 currently.
In recent weeks, French President Emmanuel Macron has taken a tougher stance toward Russia amid concerns that Ukraine is losing ground in the war, especially as US support wanes.
In addition to Ukraine, events in the Middle East are expected to take center stage during Blinken's talks in France. He will also meet Macron in Paris, just hours after a team from a US-based NGO was struck by an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip. This increased the pressure on Washington to harden its position on the issue of the war between Israel and "Hamas".
Before meeting Macron, Blinken will speak with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sejournet. French diplomats have said they want increased UN efforts to reach an international consensus on a Gaza ceasefire.
Yesterday, France proposed a draft resolution to the UN Security Council that seeks options for possible UN monitoring of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and proposals to assist the Palestinian Authority in assuming responsibilities.
The US, which last blocked a French-backed resolution in 1997, abstained from a vote last month to allow the 15-member council to demand an immediate ceasefire during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends next week.