US warns of 'catastrophic consequences' if aid is stopped, EU considers ways to overcome internal conflicts over Ukraine

The US asserted that its role is “extremely important in supporting Ukraine” both in terms of weapons supplies and coordination with other countries.

Mr. John Kirby warned of the risks if Ukraine does not continue to receive aid from the US. (Source: Reuters)

John Kirby, the White House National Security Council's coordinator for strategic communications, made the comments at a regular press briefing on January 22, saying that it is possible that European countries will refuse to support Ukraine if the US stops doing so.

“Some of our allies and partners may make different decisions if they see US leadership faltering, or if Washington withdraws support for Kiev. This could have catastrophic consequences for Ukraine,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited a draft document saying that the European External Action Service is developing a new plan to create a fund to overcome Hungary's veto on aid to Ukraine.

The plan includes the creation of a special military fund worth more than €20 billion ($22 billion), of which €6.5 billion would be drawn from the assets of the EPF (European Peace Facility).

The fund will provide up to €5 billion in compensation annually between 2024 and 2027 to several member states that jointly purchase military aid for Ukraine, such as ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles. The remaining money will be used to cover the costs of the EU military training program for Ukraine.

The newspaper quoted the draft as saying: "In 2024, the project could propose to give member states compensation for military aid worth nearly 7.5 billion euros."

The WSJ stressed that this aid project would allow smaller EU member states with small ammunition stocks to focus their resources on joint procurement to provide “larger aid to Ukraine.”

The new fund will make it easier for European countries to work with Ukraine to ensure it gets the resources it needs most. The structure of the new fund will help avoid aid that Hungary often blocks or uses as “leverage” to demand something in return.

At the Brussels Summit (Belgium) in mid-December 2023, Hungary vetoed the increase in the EU's long-term budget for 2024-2027, which included 50 billion euros in macro-financial support for Kiev.

The proposal is likely to be discussed by EU leaders at a summit on February 1, but any final decision could take several weeks, the WSJ said.

Earlier, a senior European source told reporters in Brussels that the EU continues efforts to provide long-term military aid to Ukraine under the European Peace Fund, including the eighth tranche of funding.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-canh-bao-hau-qua-tham-khoc-neu-ngung-vien-tro-eu-tinh-duong-vuot-mau-thuan-noi-bo-vi-ukraine-258457.html