Blinken, European counterparts discuss Ukraine aid, Iran challenges

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During a virtual meeting with European counterparts on Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed problems, such as more security and humanitarian help to Ukraine, as well as challenges concerning Iran, according to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.

Blinken met with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, according to Price.

"Secretary Blinken also briefed them on his visit to Ukraine, including his discussions with President Zelensky and Foreign Minister Kuleba, and our announcement of more than $2.8 billion in additional US military assistance to Ukraine and its neighbors," the statement said.

Read next: Biden requests more funds for Ukraine

The participants highlighted the importance of maintaining military and humanitarian aid to Kiev while reaffirming their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the statement. 

The officials also discussed Iran's issues and their shared resolve to address them cooperatively, according to the statement.

The US, Iran, and European mediators are now negotiating a return to the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Read next: Biden approves new $3 billion military equipment to Ukraine

Only yesterday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that US President Joe Biden had approved an extra $675 million weapons package for Ukraine.

At the beginning of a conference of several defense ministers at the US air base of Ramstein in Germany, Austin said the group will talk about how nations may cooperate to train the Ukrainian military and strengthen their capabilities.

Austin argued at the US base that "this contact group needs to position itself to sustain Ukraine's brave defenders for the long haul," adding, "That means a continued and determined flow of capability now."

What are the consequences of military aid?

In another context, a few days ago, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told Sputnik that the European Union is not taking into consideration the consequences of giving military aid to Ukraine.

Rudenko stated that the EU leadership is aiming to prolong the crisis and jeopardize Europe's security.

"They do it without thinking about the consequences. Borrell continues to make belligerent statements that have nothing to do with diplomacy. This indicates that the EU does not want to invest in peace in Ukraine and keeps pursuing a policy aimed at extending the conflict," he said.

He underlined how these actions were dangerous for civilians, women, and children, who he said were "being killed by weapons supplied to Kiev."

Read next: Germany to further aid Ukraine with $199 mln

It's worth noting that Germany, the biggest European contributor to Kiev's military, pledged an additional 200 million euros ($199.02 million) for Ukraine, though this time it's claimed it is for aid programs for internally displaced refugees, as per the German Development Minister Svenja Schulze.

A German government official said last month that the European Union sought to finance an aid package worth some 8 billion euros by September for Ukraine, which goes to show that the EU found it easier to finance arms than to offer aid to refugees.

Despite pledging more assistance, senior EU officials admit that there will most likely be a "crunch point" in the fall or early winter when EU countries begin to feel acute domestic economic pain as a result of the crisis.