United States Relinquishes Role in Coordinating Aid for Ukraine - Announced by Lithuanian Foreign Minister
Rewritten Article:
VILNIUS – The United States has shifted gears, stepping back from leading the coordination of assistance to Ukraine and handing over the reins to the UK and Germany, as revealed by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys.
In a candid conversation with public radio LRT, Budrys explained, "The US has handed over the process of coordinating aid to Ukraine to other countries."
He went on to say, "This change in direction requires us to explore ways to enhance specific military support for Ukraine even further. Of course, the absence of the US will have an impact as someone needs to fill that leadership void. The uncertainty about future military support from the US also remains amid the ceasefire negotiations."
Budrys believes this shift places a greater responsibility on the European Union to support Ukraine. "We will continue our assistance, regardless of the shifting winds around us. We've made this commitment numerous times, and we intend to uphold it even after peace is established," he stated.
"In our opinion, a strong Ukrainian army will serve as the most potent deterrent against Russia and prevent it from rekindling hostilities against Ukraine or any other nation," he added.
BNS earlier reported that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to attend the Ramstein-format meeting later this week via videolink. These regular meetings were initiated by Hegseth’s predecessor, Lloyd Austin, following Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, since US President Donald Trump took office in January, Washington has scaled back its role in these meetings due to Trump's criticism of aid to Ukraine.
In February, for the first time, the UK took the helm at the group's meeting, and they will do so again.
Since the initial invasion, the US has provided billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine. However, no new aid package for Kyiv has been announced since Trump began his second term in office.
This move reflects a broader strategy to allow European nations to take ownership of their security, signaling a desire to delegate more responsibility to regional allies[3][4]. The US remains involved in the group, contributing its efforts without dominating the initiative[4][5].
- Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys announced that the United States has ceased leading the coordination of assistance to Ukraine, with the responsibility shifting to the UK and Germany.
- This change in direction requires exploration of ways to further enhance specific military support for Ukraine, as the absence of the US will leave a leadership void in future military support.
- With the US stepping back, Budrys believes the European Union needs to take a greater responsibility in supporting Ukraine, continuing their assistance regardless of geopolitical shifts.
- The shift towards European nations taking ownership of their security is part of a broader strategy, signaling a desire to delegate more responsibility to regional allies, with the US remaining involved in the effort but not dominating the initiative.
