Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukrainian firefighters are ready to assist in fighting the devastating wildfires in California. Zelensky expressed his concern for the challenging situation in California and emphasized the potential of Ukrainian rescuers to help save lives. He instructed Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs and diplomats to prepare for possible participation in combating the wildfires, with 150 firefighters already on standby.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also revealed that 60 Canadian firefighters are being deployed to support the firefighting efforts in California. Additionally, 70 firefighters from Mexico were scheduled to arrive in California on Saturday afternoon to join the more than 14,000 personnel already on the ground.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed immense gratitude for the assistance from neighboring countries in battling the wildfires, highlighting the collaborative efforts to address the crisis in Los Angeles.
The offer of Ukrainian assistance comes amid the transition of power from US President Joe Biden to Donald Trump. The cancellation of a meeting between Zelensky and Biden in Rome was announced by the White House to prioritize the response to the California wildfires.
Notably, the Biden administration recently approved a final tranche of military aid amounting to approximately $500 million for Ukraine. The US has been a significant contributor of aid to Ukraine since the conflict with Russia began in late February 2022, with over $65 billion provided. However, uncertainties loom over the continuation of military assistance to Ukraine once President Trump resumes office, as he has expressed skepticism about the value of aid to Ukraine and the US commitment to NATO.
