America is committed to maintaining its involvement in European and Ukrainian affairs, regardless of the outcome of November’s U.S. presidential election, the Speaker of the lower house of the Polish parliament has said.
Hołownia’s comments come as Western leaders and politicians are sending out feelers to the Donald Trump camp and preparing for the possibility that the Republican could win the presidential race.
Jittery over Trump’s level of commitment to defending European NATO allies in case of conflict, many Western governments want to ensure a smooth relationship with a potential new U.S. administration.
Atlantic Council analysts believe that despite potential flashpoints in Asia absorbing American attention, the United States will maintain its interest in Europe and Ukraine, Hołownia said.
“The U.S. administration will continue to prioritize the European and Ukrainian arenas, regardless of the incoming president,” he added.
Hołownia referenced his recent discussions with Republican Mike Turner, chairman of the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He said that Turner “expressed the belief that Poland’s cooperation in NATO and bilateral cooperation with the United States is based not only on financial issues and the fact that Poland spends most of its defense budget in the United States, but also on values.”
On the war in Ukraine, Hołownia said: “We trust that it will be possible to provide long-term support for Ukraine—a new NATO training and security assistance mission and a sustained financial commitment.”
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s right to self-defense will be supported not just today but well into the future, says @NATO’s @benedettabertiw at the Atlantic Council.
— Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) July 8, 2024
The message is to Ukraine that they can count on us, but also to Moscow that they cannot wait us out, she tells @CMcBinDC. pic.twitter.com/E0ShKSjZ1F
U.S. presidential candidates on Ukraine
In America’s November election, President Joe Biden from the Democratic Party is hoping to see off a challenge from Republican Trump and secure a second term in office.
If elected, Biden would most likely continue the current U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
While preparing to host the NATO summit starting on Tuesday in Washington, Biden wrote on X: “I will be meeting with President Zelenskyy to make clear our support for Ukraine is unshakable.”
“It is critical that the world continues to stand with Ukraine at this important moment and that we not ignore Russian aggression,” he added.
Meanwhile, Trump has frequently asserted that he could resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in a single day, should he be elected.Russia’s missile strikes that today killed dozens of Ukrainian civilians and caused damage and casualties at Kyiv’s largest children’s hospital are a horrific reminder of Russia's brutality. It is critical that the world continues to stand with Ukraine at this important moment…
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 9, 2024
During a recent press conference, Russian leader Vladimir Putin expressed support for “Trump's plan” to end the war. Despite the Ukrainian president's request for Trump to disclose the plan’s specifics, no details have been forthcoming thus far.
