Official Kyiv is considering the option of financing military assistance from the United States on loan terms.
This was stated by President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky in an interview with the military man, presenter and journalist of the Vikna-noviny program Orest Drimalovsky, as well as Lyudmila Dobrovolskaya, journalist of the TV channel We — Ukraine.
Aid to Ukraine from the USA
He was asked how critical aid from the United States is, given that the US Congress has delayed its passage until mid-April, with the first shipments likely to arrive in May.
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— As for American assistance, it is critical in any case… Unfortunately, we are a little hostage to this situation. Unfortunately, the issue of Ukraine, namely the issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine, has today become a domestic political issue of the United States. Although this — security of the whole world. And it’s precisely this not-too-mature approach (on the part of Washington, — Ed.) that I don’t understand, — said the President.
According to Zelensky, everyone in the United States understands that Russia is counting on an increase in the number of conflicts in the world, since it is limited in its weapons production capacity.
— And if there are a lot of conflicts, then these weapons, this help will be shared… That is, instead of deciding to increase production and doing just that, and this would be a challenge, but instead the issue is being resolved in principle of financial assistance, the ability to finance this increase. That is, one more link has been added, one more challenge. There was one — only production, and now also money for this production, — he says.
However, the head of state adds, he hopes that reason will still prevail in the United States – and Ukraine will receive appropriate help.
When asked whether Ukraine will agree to US assistance in the form of loans, the president says that official Kyiv is now considering several options.
— You know, there was a senator recently, and he asked: “Will you agree to loan money?”. I asked: “What are the options?”. “Well, — he says, — if, for example, they tell you that the money is on credit or you will not receive (help, — Ed.)”. I say: “Why such elections when there is no choice?”, — Zelensky recounted a conversation with probably Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who visited Ukraine on March 18.
The President claims that Ukraine is ready to agree “to any option”.
— I'll tell you more — if today they offered Ukraine a package on credit today or for free in a year, then we would say — only today. There is no choice here. Our choice is one: survive and win. We are trying to do this in different ways. This is regarding credit. Therefore, it doesn’t matter, the important thing is that the faster the better, — added the president.
U.S. Congress approves funding for Ukraine
The United States Parliament has been unable to reach a unanimous opinion regarding financial assistance for Ukraine for several months. The funds allocated for 2023 have already been exhausted.
The US Senate passed a bill for more than $60 billion in free aid to Ukraine. But its approval requires the consent of the House of Representatives, but due to the position of the Republicans in this chamber, Congress cannot approve this assistance.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson does not submit the corresponding initiative for consideration by congressmen, although he has repeatedly indicated that he intends to do so.
After Republican Senator Lidsey Graham's visit to Ukraine in March of this year, an alternative has emerged that Republicans can agree to. As American media describe this additional option, Republicans may support approval of this aid package if it is provided in the form of loan funds.
