U.S. can support both Ukraine and Israel, says Ambassador

The United States is fully capable of maintaining its commitments to support both Ukraine and Israel in their respective conflicts, according to Ambassador Julianne Smith, the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO.

Speaking during a recent press briefing, Ambassador Smith told myself and other reporters that stressed that the U.S. remains dedicated to assisting both countries despite concerns over the strain such commitments may place on resources.

With conflicts in both Eastern Europe and the Middle East demanding international attention, questions have arisen about the U.S. ability to balance its support.

However, Ambassador Smith was clear in her response: “We feel comfortable with maintaining the commitments we have to allies and partners, both in the Middle East and for our friends in Ukraine.”

No Zero-Sum Approach

Ambassador Smith addressed concerns over a potential zero-sum approach, where increased support for one conflict could reduce assistance for the other. She mentioned that the U.S. government sees no contradiction in supporting both Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and Israel as it faces escalating violence.

“These are in many cases different types of systems that are being provided, using sometimes different forms of assistance in the U.S. Government,” she explained, indicating that resources allocated for Ukraine and Israel are distinct and not in competition.

Strong International Support for Ukraine

Ambassador Smith also noted the critical role played by the international community in sustaining support for Ukraine.

“With the great contributions that we have seen from so many nations around the world for Ukraine, we believe that together we can continue to get them what they need while also ensuring that we can defend Israel at the same time,” she said.

NATO members and other allied countries have been steadfast in their assistance to Ukraine, providing military equipment, financial aid, and humanitarian support since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022.

This collective effort, Ambassador Smith suggested, allows the U.S. to focus on ensuring both Ukraine and Israel receive the help they need.