Financial aid to Ukraine should not be stalled

While the European Union managed to agree, albeit belatedly, on a financial aid package for Ukraine, the U.S. has been slow in approving new support. The war-hit country is short on arms and ammunition needed to fight Russia, and the Ukrainian fund used to pay the salaries of civil servants and pensions for citizens is running dry. Delaying support for Kyiv sends a wrong message to the world that the democratic camp's resolve to protect the rule of law is faltering.

EU leaders agreed on Feb. 1 on a Ukrainian aid package worth 50 billion euros ($53.9 billion). They initially aimed to approve the deal at a summit held late last year, but the decision was delayed due to opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.