Despite the fact that the US Congress failed to pass an additional large-scale support package for Ukraine last week, there is no risk of the United States cutting off funding for aid to Ukraine, Ukraine's Ambassador to Washington, Oksana Markarova, has said in an interview with Ukrinform.
"Given that the preliminary budget includes significant transitional funds, we will now use them, so there is no risk of funding termination," she said.
The diplomat said it was unfortunate that Ukrainian programmes were not included in the resolution passed in Congress to avoid a US shutdown. However, in her opinion, it is now "much more important to get full funding in the main budget decision".
Markarova said that after the vote in Congress on Saturday, she has held many meetings and phone conversations with members of Congress.
"A large number of senators and congressmen from both parties spoke in favour of not only approving or maintaining support for Ukraine, but also of strengthening it. In addition, the administration is actively working with Congress on this issue," the diplomat said.
According to her, very active negotiations are underway to develop a new budget decision that includes aid for Ukraine.
"The budget can be adopted either as a separate law or as part of a larger funding package for the US Department of Defense," Markarova added.
The US Senate followed the House of Representatives in approving a bill to temporarily fund the government for 45 days. It does not include an additional aid package for Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said that the situation with the temporary US budget will not stop the previously announced support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is currently working with its American partners to find new aid funds.