One of the main take-aways from November’s G7 meeting is the determination and commitment of these seven leading industrialized nations to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion. “Our G7 partners pledged steadfast support for Ukraine into and through 2025, continuing what has been a truly unprecedented partnership,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. But such enduring support for Ukraine goes far beyond just the G7, or even Europe.
“Twenty-seven countries have now signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine to help provide for their deterrence and defense capacity over the next decade.”
Indeed, “This has been, in many ways, a global effort,” said Secretary Blinken.
“We have more than 50 countries who have been supporting Ukraine and I believe, based on everything I’m hearing, will continue to do that. And what we’re determined to do in the remainder of this administration is to do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to be able, as I said, to fight through 2025 if necessary or, if there’s a negotiation, to be able to negotiate from a position of strength.”
“The United States has made significant investments in supporting Ukraine, about $100 billion over the last two and a half years. But our partners and allies around the world have contributed more than that, close to $150 billion,” said Secretary Blinken. That’s because “the reality is this: Ukraine is fighting for us. It’s not just fighting for itself; it’s fighting for us.”
“The reason so many countries are involved in Ukraine’s defense is because the aggression being committed by Russia is not only an aggression against Ukraine and its people; it’s an aggression against the very principles that are at the heart of the international system and that are necessary for trying to maintain peace and stability, the notions that are at the heart of the United Nations Charter: sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity.”
“And these more than 50 countries supporting Ukraine know that if we let this go with impunity in one place, the message to would-be aggressors anywhere and everywhere is that it’s open season,” said Secretary Blinken. “And that’s a recipe for a world of conflict, and that’s not a world that’s in the interests of the United States or anyone else.”
