Latest US aid package for Kiev could be the last: Lithuanian PM
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The acknowledgment implies that future support from the US could be uncertain or limited.
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In this image provided by the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Sgt. Ian Ketterling, gunner for Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, prepares the crane for loading the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) on to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in Queensland, Australia, July 26, 2023 (Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson/U.S. Army via AP)
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte on Friday acknowledged that the military aid package for Ukraine adopted by the US Congress this week could potentially be the last.
This acknowledgment implies that future support from the US could be uncertain or limited. Such a scenario would introduce new challenges for Europe, particularly regarding security and defense measures.
"It is great that the US Congress has decided to support Ukraine, but we have to start thinking about what should happen if this is the last aid package. That would mean that the challenges for us here in Europe would be even greater. We have prayed so much that Congress convene and resolve this issue, but there may be a need for further support," Simonyte told Lithuanian news agency ELTA.
Read more: Delayed aid left Ukrainians outgunned for four months: Stoltenberg
The US Senate approved a $95 billion bill on Tuesday, with around $61 billion allocated for Ukraine-related funding.
US President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Wednesday, after which the US Department of Defense unveiled a $6 billion military aid package for Kiev, comprising cluster munitions and air defense supplies.
In March, unnamed senior US officials have voiced to The Washington Post grave concerns over Ukraine's prospects in its war with Russia, painting a grim picture of all-out failure without additional military aid from the United States.
The officials predicted that Ukraine will completely collapse on the front against Russia without aid from Washington.
Read more: Russia considering downgrading ties with US if assets are seized
