- Sputnik International, 1920
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US Should Quit Sending Money to Ukraine, Try to Negotiate Peace — Congressman Massie

© AP Photo / J. Scott ApplewhiteRep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., listens as the House Rules Committee prepares a bill to reverse a Biden administration firearms-related regulation on so-called pistol braces, a stabilizing feature championed by some members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 12, 2023
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., listens as the House Rules Committee prepares a bill to reverse a Biden administration firearms-related regulation on so-called pistol braces, a stabilizing feature championed by some members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, June 12, 2023 - Sputnik International, 1920, 25.05.2024
Subscribe
WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Liudmila Chernova - The United States should stop sending money to Ukraine and attempt to negotiate peace as soon as possible, US Congressman Thomas Massie told Sputnik on Friday.
“I think we should quit sending money there. I think we should try to negotiate peace as soon as possible,” Massie said on the sidelines of the 2024 Libertarian National Convention.
US lawmakers are showing dwindling support for sending military aid to Ukraine each time the matter comes to a vote, Massie highlighted.

“The support for sending weapons to Ukraine is weakening in the US Congress, as you can see with each subsequent vote,” the congressman emphasized.

There should be some effort made to bring both Ukraine and Russia to the upcoming conference in Switzerland as it is hard to imagine negotiations without Russia, Massie stressed.
“This sounds kind of hard to negotiate a peace if they don't have Russia at the table. So I think there should be some effort to have Ukraine and Russia there,” the congressman said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Switzerland's President and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis attend a meeting on the sidelines of the U.S.-Russia talks in Geneva, Switzerland - Sputnik International, 1920, 10.04.2024
World
Russia Skips Swiss-Held Ukraine Conference as Bern Asserts 'No Peace Possible Without Moscow'

Talks Must Go On

Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden could help solve the conflict in Ukraine, and even lower-level discussions between top diplomats could help achieve progress, Massie highlighted.

"I think it could help," Massie said when asked whether talks between Biden and Putin could help solve the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. "Although, even lower-level negotiations would help as well, I think."

When asked at what level such discussion should be held, the congressman said, "Maybe at the secretary of state level, for instance."
Massie expressed his view that it is "wrong" that communications between the US and Russia are limited.
"I think there should be talks," he said.
A United States Military Academy cadet checks computers at the Cyber Research Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. - Sputnik International, 1920, 07.04.2022
US Has Unilaterally Closed Channel of Communication With Russia on Cybersecurity, Moscow Says

'Very Short-Sighted Policy'

The US government freezing of foreign assets, including those of Russia, is a very short-sighted policy and sends a message to the international community that the United States may stop honoring transactions, the congressman emphasized.

"I think it's very short sighted of our government to freeze for instance, Treasury assets, that are held by other countries, such as Russia, because it sends a message to the world that if you buy our debt, then we may not honor the transaction at some point," Massie explained.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends the 12th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting during the 55th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial meeting - Sputnik International, 1920, 14.05.2024
World
US Set to Use Power Given by Congress to Seize Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine - Blinken
The representative added that US moves to freeze foreign assets are "extremely dangerous" because they will increase the price that Washington has to pay to finance its debt.
"I'm sure that our closest allies will still trust that we'll be good on our word, but other sovereign funds will have a diminished appetite for financing our debt," Massie said. "So, I think it's very short-sighted of us to do that."
Moscow has maintained that any attempt to confiscate its frozen assets would violate international law, with the Russian Foreign Ministry labeling such an action as theft.
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has also said that Moscow is willing to issue a "symmetrical" response to this form of Western financial aggression.
A general view shows the St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower on a sunny autumn day, in Moscow, Russia. - Sputnik International, 1920, 20.04.2024
World
US' Fiscal Reputation Will Falter If It Proceeds With Confiscation of Russian Assets: Kremlin

No More Money to Ukraine

The congressman argued that he opposes the US government sending more money to Ukraine unless such assistance achieves peace.

"I told our own speaker - if you want to send $60 billion and the goal is to achieve some kind of peace, I might be compelled to vote for it. But I'm not voting for $60 billion that will then only necessitate another $60 billion," the representative clarified.

Massie also said that both sides to the conflict in Ukraine will eventually run out of people if fighting continues.
"I think it's immoral to grind up people in this war on both sides," Massie added.
Load ammunition - Sputnik International, 1920, 23.05.2024
World
Funding ‘Never-Ending’ Conflict in Ukraine Not in US’ Interest - US Senator Vance
Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that the United States was providing a new weapons package for Ukraine worth $275 million.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Monday the United States has already delivered many of Ukraine's "top-priority requirements" and much more assistance is on the way.
Austin added that he expects a steady flow of US assistance for Ukraine on a weekly basis.
Russia has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Ukraine by the collective West, saying they would only prolong the conflict but would not change the situation on the ground.
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала