WASHINGTON, April 19, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump said Thursday that Europe should give more money to Ukraine, days before US lawmakers are to vote on a long-delayed $61 billion aid package for the war-torn nation.
 
  "As everyone agrees, Ukrainian Survival and Strength should be much more important to Europe than to us, but it is also important to us! GET MOVING EUROPE!" Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social.
 
  Despite not holding office, the former US president exercises tight control over many Republicans in Washington, who have delayed granting new military aid funds to Ukraine. They insist on prioritizing the fight against illegal immigration at the Mexican border.
 
  The deadlock between Democrats and Republicans has left Ukraine short of ammunition and defense systems and caused it to suffer setbacks in the war that began with the Russian invasion in February 2022.
 
  Trump, who will battle President Joe Biden for the White House in November, wrote: "Why is it that the United States is over $100 Billion Dollars into the Ukraine War more than Europe, and we have an Ocean between us as separation!
 
  "Why can't Europe equalize or match the money put in by the United States of America in order to help a Country in desperate need?"
 
  The US House of Representatives is set to vote Saturday on a new military aid package that would unlock billions of dollars for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
 
  Biden has called for Congress to pass the package, vowing that he would sign the law immediately.
 
  Trump sparked panic in Europe when he threatened in February to end security guarantees to NATO members if they did not contribute what he considers enough financially to the alliance.