Kiev funds to only last 'a couple of months' if aid not approved: WH
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Biden scrambles to calm allies after a last-minute deal in the US Congress to avoid a government shutdown dropped new funding for Kiev.
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US President Joe Biden speaks from the Treaty Room in the White House, on April 14, 2021. (AP)
US President Joe Biden contacted Western allies on Tuesday to reassure them that US aid to Ukraine will continue, but the White House cautioned that if Republicans in Congress block new funds for Kiev, the money may run out.
According to the White House, Biden spoke with the leaders of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, the heads of the EU and NATO, and France's foreign minister to "coordinate" on assisting Ukraine.
The Democrat has been scrambling to calm allies after a last-minute deal in the US Congress to avoid a government shutdown on Saturday dropped new funding for Kiev, amid opposition from hardline Republicans.
According to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Biden informed alliance leaders that he was "confident" Congress would agree to fund further assistance for Ukraine.
Kirby warned the US aid will only last "perhaps a couple of months or so," adding that it was crucial for Ukraine's counteroffensive.
Western support to last "as long as it takes"
During a briefing, Kirby noted that "time is not our friend," adding that "We have enough funding authorities to meet Ukraine's battlefields needs for a bit longer, but we need Congress to act."
According to the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Biden was "keen to reassure the allies about the continuing American support for Ukraine, also following the recent decisions of the US Congress."
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked Biden for the call and pledged that Western support will last "as long as it takes."
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Russian President Vladimir Putin is "wrong" if he believes Moscow can outlive Ukraine and its allies.
Opposition among hardline Republicans has been spreading more than a year and a half into the war.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov suggested on Monday that the fact that the United States adopted a temporary spending budget that does not include assistance to Ukraine will not change anything and Washington will continue to support Kiev.
Meanwhile, Member of the Ukrainian parliament Aleksey Goncharenko made it clear on Sunday that Ukraine would almost surely lose its war against Russia if the United States quits supplying Kiev with military aid.
