Bipartisan support for Ukraine's aid remains strong — former CIA chief

General David Petraeus, a member of the KSF Security Council, Commander of the U.S. Central Command in 2008-2010, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2011-2012, said this during a special event of the Kyiv Security Forum.

He said that he attended the Munich Security Conference and met with a large U.S. congressional delegation, which is often seen as a key indicator by Europeans. Emphasizing its importance, he mentioned sitting with Senator Lindsey Graham, who is very close to President Trump, as well as several other members of the House of Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties. According to him, they came to Munich to show their support, and he believes there is a bipartisan consensus on the need to continue supporting Ukraine.

The general reminded that the U.S. has provided Ukraine with enormous security assistance, more than all other countries combined. However, he acknowledged that NATO and EU countries have contributed more overall when financial, economic, and humanitarian aid is included alongside security assistance.

At the same time, he highlighted Ukraine’s significant progress in the defense industry, noting that last year it produced more 155mm howitzers than it received. He emphasized the need to continue supporting Ukraine, allowing it to showcase its remarkable innovation. "I firmly believe in the necessity of continuing aid to Ukraine," Petreaus urged.

He also noted the innovations of Ukrainians, especially in the field of unmanned systems, which Petraeus is sure will “increasingly become the future of warfare.”

The general noted that this was his fifth trip to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war.

He stressed the importance of ensuring commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, a country that has suffered a brutal invasion. He reminded that shared values and principles are the reason the U.S. has provided significant aid and why NATO, European, and other Western nations have done the same.

Petraeus also urged everyone to move in the same direction to achieve a lasting peace.

• U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance claims that the position of the Trump administration in negotiations with Russia is not to appease the Kremlin.
• On February 18, Trump said at a press conference that the level of trust in Ukraine in the president had dropped to 4%. The White House chief also makes a claim for $350 billion in aid to Kyiv.