Blinken, in Brussels, pledges to boost Ukraine support ahead of Trump transition

President-elect Trump, who has questioned US military support for Ukraine, says he will quickly end Russia’s war

Reading Time:2 minutes

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken talks to the press following a Nato meeting at the bloc’s headquarters in Brussels. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:08pm, 13 Nov 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured Nato on Wednesday that the Biden administration would bolster its support for Ukraine in the few months before Donald Trump’s return as president and would try to strengthen the alliance in that time.

Meeting Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, Blinken also said the deployment of North Korean troops to help Russia in the Ukraine war “demands and will get a firm response”.

President-elect Trump, who has questioned US military support for Ukraine, says he will quickly end Russia’s war without saying how, raising concerns among US allies he could try to force Kyiv to accept peace on Moscow’s terms. Biden leaves office on January 20.

Blinken said after meeting Rutte at the alliance’s headquarters that they had discussed ongoing support for Ukraine, where Russian forces have been making gains on the eastern front lines, and the work Nato must do strengthen its defence industrial base.

02:07

Ukraine releases video purportedly showing North Korean soldiers in Russia

The outgoing US administration would “continue to shore up everything we’re doing for Ukraine” to ensure it can fight effectively next year or negotiate peace with Russia from a position of strength, he said.