Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) acknowledged uncertainty regarding continued U.S. support for Ukraine in the event of former President Trump’s reelection in November.
Speaking on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” Sullivan refrained from making guarantees, emphasizing the need to address Ukraine’s situation in light of recent events.
Highlighting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s reference to Afghanistan earlier that day, Sullivan underscored the importance of understanding the broader context.
He criticized what he perceived as weakness from the Biden administration, particularly in defense spending cuts and energy policies, attributing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions to perceived American vulnerabilities.
The Senate is set to consider a substantial foreign aid bill recently passed by the House, which earmarks approximately $61 billion for Ukraine alongside support for Israel and allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The bill also includes national security provisions such as a potential TikTok ban.
Former President Trump, prior to the House vote, questioned the adequacy of European aid to Ukraine but did not directly comment on the House package.
European assistance to Ukraine, primarily in financial and humanitarian forms, has surpassed U.S. aid according to a tracker by the Institute for the World Economy. However, the U.S. has provided more military aid to Kyiv.
While Trump has expressed reservations about U.S. aid to Ukraine, he suggested openness to Republican-backed assistance, possibly in the form of a loan, during discussions with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) at his Mar-a-Lago estate.