The United States will support Ukraine in defending itself against Russia for “as long as it takes,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Sunday in response to calls from Republican lawmakers to provide a timeline for when that muti-billion-dollar commitment might end.
Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Kirby reiterated that the conflict, which is about to enter its second year, could end as soon as Russian President Vladimir Putin withdraws his invading forces. He later added that it’s up to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to decide when is the right time for peace talks.
“President Zelenskyy, as the commander in chief, gets to determine if and when he’s ready to sit down and negotiate with Mr. Putin and under what circumstances,” Kirby told Fox News’ Shannon Bream. “What we’re focused on is making sure that he has all the tools to succeed on the battlefield so that if it comes to a negotiation or win he can succeed at the negotiating table as well. But he has to determine what the timing is right and what the circumstances are.”…