US Vice President Kamala Harris called on people in her country to “steadfastly” support Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference. “We can’t play political games,” Harris said Saturday at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, referring to the tug-of-war over a $60 billion aid package in Washington. She emphasized that such things should play “no role” in the fight against Russia.
In Washington, a further aid package for Ukraine worth 60 billion dollars (around 55.7 billion euros) has been blocked for months by the opposition Republicans at the behest of former US President Donald Trump, who wants to run for re-election in November.
Support for Ukraine has nothing to do with election dates, Harris said. There is “only one plan A: Ukraine gets what it needs.” The Vice President was convinced of the bipartisan support for the aid package: She firmly believes that “if the law comes to a vote in the House of Representatives today, it will be passed.”
Zelensky said his country was counting on the “positive decision” of the US Congress. The aid package is “very important” for Ukraine and could contribute to progress on the battlefield.
Harris and Zelensky met at the security conference, at which the Ukrainian president had previously called for continued support for his country from Western partners. Zelensky complained about the lack of artillery and long-range weapons.