MUNICH (AP) - During the Munich Security Conference, Sen. JD Vance, an Ohio Republican and ally of Donald Trump, expressed opposition to the proposed $95.3 billion foreign aid package from the Senate that includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. Vance argued that the funding would not "fundamentally change the reality" on the ground in Ukraine and highlighted concerns over limited American manufacturing capacity to support conflicts in various regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris have both emphasized the importance of passing the aid package, particularly as Ukraine recently withdrew troops from the city of Avdiivka after intense combat. However, Vance believes that the lack of a clear end point in Ukraine and constraints on weapon supplies limit the effectiveness of increased funding.

While House Speaker Mike Johnson has hesitated to approve the foreign aid package, citing the need not to be "rushed," the package has garnered support from most Democrats and nearly half of the Republicans. Despite this, Vance remains skeptical about the impact of the aid on the conflict in Ukraine.

During discussions at the conference, Ricarda Lang, a co-leader of Germany's Greens party, warned against halting weapon supplies to Ukraine, stating that doing so could prolong the conflict and play into Russian President Vladimir Putin's interests. Lang stressed the importance of not allowing Putin to alter borders without consequences, as it could lead to decreased security and freedom for the EU and the U.S.

Republican senators, including Vance, attended the Munich conference, where several of his colleagues met with Zelenskyy. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin shared Zelenskyy's message that Ukraine needs American support. The Republican stance on aid for Ukraine underscored the deep divisions within the U.S. Senate on the issue.