BERLIN, Jan 29, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on 
Sunday warned that a drop in aid from the United States to Kyiv would send a 
poor message, as US President Joe Biden faces a Republican blockade on 
further support.

With an eye on US aid potentially diminishing, Zelensky urged Germany to use 
its economic weight to rally EU partners to give more to Kyiv in its fight 
against Russia.

"Passivity from the United States or the lack of support would be a bad 
signal," he told German national broadcaster ARD.

That is not right for anyone, Zelensky warned.

"Germany can manage to consolidate the EU," he said, in response to a 
question on whether he hoped that Berlin would take on a bigger role should 
help from the United States fall away.

"Many countries have important economic relationships with Germany and their 
economy is dependent on Germany's decisions because Germany has a strong 
economy," he said.

In a separate interview on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged 
European nations to step up weapons pledges to Ukraine, raising the spectre 
that help from the US, the biggest contributor, could end.

"Europe must do more to support Ukraine in the defence of its own country," 
Scholz told Die Zeit weekly, adding that the contributions that European 
nations have earmarked for 2024 so far are "not big enough."

Biden has made backing Ukraine a priority and US weapons and financial 
assistance have been crucial in helping the pro-Western country battle 
against a far larger attacking Russian force.

But opposition Republicans have led a push to halt the effort, refusing to 
authorise new budget outlays unless the Democrats first agree to sweeping, 
tough new measures against illegal migration.

With the US in an election year that could again pit Biden against Donald 
Trump, Zelensky has warned that a Trump return to the White House would 
likely bring a "different policy" on the war.