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Biden speaks with top US allies on Ukraine support

Biden speaks with top US allies on Ukraine support

03/10/2023 16:58:16 World

President Joe Biden spoke by phone with a group of top United States allies Tuesday morning as the future of US funding for Ukraine remains uncertain.

“President Biden convened a call this morning with allies and partners to coordinate our ongoing support for Ukraine,” the White House said in a statement.

The call came days after Congress passed a temporary government spending bill that notably did not include aid for Ukraine, which remains a thorny issue with hardline conservatives.

Participants, the White House said, included:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

European Council President Charles Michel

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

Polish President Andrzej Duda

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna

Following the call, EU leaders reiterated their support for Ukraine.

"We stand united and ready to provide additional military equipment, financial and political support for Ukraine," Michel said. "Peace and security in Ukraine equals peace and security in Europe."

Von der Leyen said Europe’s support for Ukraine "is unwavering" through a proposed new 50 billion euros (about $52 billion) on macro-financial assistance, one million rounds of ammunition delivered by March 2024, as well as "EU action to ensure full accountability for Russian crimes against Ukrainians."

"Good call with NATO leaders hosted by the President of the United States. As Russia continues its brutal war, we are all committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes," said Stoltenberg.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak echoed that sentiment, according to a readout from his country, reiterating the UK's "ongoing military, humanitarian and economic assistance" to Kyiv.

The Italian readout of the call also said Biden was "keen to reassure" Kyiv’s allies about the continuing American support for Ukraine.

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