Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns about the potential shift in international relations under the incoming Trump administration. Blinken highlighted the achievements of the Biden administration in strengthening alliances and partnerships over the past four years, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with other countries for global effectiveness.
Blinken defended the significant aid provided to Ukraine by the Biden administration, amounting to over $65 billion since the conflict with Russia escalated in late February 2022. He described this aid as an investment in allies and partners, which facilitated international support for Ukraine's defense.
NATO allies have been preparing for a possible reduction in US assistance to Ukraine in the coming year. President-elect Trump has previously questioned the value of aid to Ukraine and the US commitment to NATO. While expressing a desire to end the conflict, Trump has not yet indicated whether military support for Ukraine will continue under his administration.
Prior to the transition of power, efforts have been made to transition aid to Ukraine from a US-led initiative to a NATO-led mechanism. This transition aims to ensure the continuity of assistance to Ukraine and safeguard it from potential policy changes under the new administration.
