By Kontur and AFP | 2024-01-17

DAVOS, Switzerland -- Ukraine's allies need to guarantee stable backing for Kyiv in order to defeat Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said January 16.

"Ukraine can prevail in this war. But we must continue to empower their resistance," the chief of the European Union (EU)'s executive arm told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"Ukrainians need predictable financing throughout 2024 and beyond," she said. "They need a sufficient and sustained supply of weapons to defend Ukraine and regain its rightful territory."

EU leaders will hold a summit on February 1 to try to overcome Hungary's veto on providing €50 billion ($54.5 billion) in financial aid to Ukraine over the next four years.

The government in Kyiv desperately needs the funds to prop up its economy and keep services working as Russia's all-out war heads towards its second anniversary.

Budapest -- Moscow's closest ally in the 27-nation EU -- has signalled it could agree to the aid if it is given the chance each year to veto further payments.

EU officials say that if they cannot win over Hungary, the other 26 member states will look to provide cash outside the EU's budget but that this is likely to be for a shorter timeframe.

Honoring promises

Despite the concerns over continuing funding, von der Leyen said Russia was still "failing on strategic goals."

"Russia has lost roughly half of its military capabilities," she said. "Ukraine has driven Russia out of half the territories it had captured. Ukraine has pushed back Russia's Black Sea Fleet."

"Russia's failure is also economic. Sanctions have decoupled its economy from modern technology and innovation. It is now dependent on China."

EU member states face further pressure to assure that Ukraine has the weaponry it needs from lawmakers in the European Parliament.

The leaders of the five main political groupings in parliament called for EU leaders "to live up to their promises, ensure effective and sustainable long-term military support to Ukraine."

Sustained US support

The debate in Europe comes as Ukraine's other major backer, the United States, struggles to approve a $60 billion aid package in the face of opposition from Republicans in Congress.

Despite the row in Congress, Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised sustained US support for Kyiv.

"We are determined to sustain our support for Ukraine, and we're working very closely with Congress in order to work to do that. I know our European colleagues will do the same thing," Blinken told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy January 16 as they met in Davos.

Jake Sullivan, US President Joe Biden's national security advisor, joined the meeting and told Zelenskyy that the United States and its allies were determined "to ensure that Russia fails and Ukraine wins."

"We really count on your support -- continuing your huge support," Zelenskyy said.

He pointed specifically to the US-made Patriot system that has helped Ukraine shoot down barrages of Russian missiles.

"It really helps people to survive this, in this large aggression from Russia," Zelenskyy said.

The United States has sent some $44 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022 and billions more in economic support and assistance to allies.