A CIA chief has warned that slashing support for Ukraine would be "an own goal of historic proportions" as Republican scepticism over the financial burden grows.
Bill Burns argued the cost of supporting Ukraine has amounted to less than five per cent of the US defence budget.
Despite praising America's involvement in the international alliance supporting Ukraine, he warned that the "key to success lies in preserving Western aid".
He added that Russia’s invasion is like as a "new era" for the CIA, equivalent of the 2001 terror attacks.
Bill Burns argued the cost of supporting Ukraine has amounted to less than five per cent of the US defence budget
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"The post-Cold War era came to a definitive end the moment Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022," he wrote in the Foreign Affairs.
His comments come as Republican members voice concerns over US funding to Kyiv amid doubts over Ukraine’s progress after nearly two years of war.
Burns said: "A relatively modest investment with significant geopolitical returns for the United States and notable returns for American industry."
He added that aiding Ukraine’s frontlines "offers a chance to ensure a long-term win for Ukraine and a strategic loss for Russia."
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"For the United States to walk away from the conflict at this crucial moment and cut off support to Ukraine would be an own goal of historic proportions."
It comes after a further $61billion in funding for Ukraine has been requested by President Joe Biden.
The federal government has issued a number of public warnings over the possible risks of withdrawing US support.
On Monday, Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state held a press conference to reiterate the urgency of the situation.
The federal government has issued a number of public warnings over the possible risks of withdrawing US support
PABlinken warned that Ukraine would suffer if Congress did not act soon.
He said: "Without it, simply put, everything that Ukrainians achieved, and that we’ve helped them achieve, will be in jeopardy."
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s secretary general visited Capitol Hill on Tuesday to argue that continued military support was in America’s "own security interest".
