Trump Says He Released Aid to Ukraine

The American leader announced release military aid to Kyiv and told the reasons for this decision. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, October 2, that he had released military aid to Ukraine at the urging of U.S. Republican Senator Rob Portman and others and also called on Europe to strengthen support for Kyiv, TASS reports. "Rob Portman called me up: “Please, let the money go.” “That was the only reason. "I gave the money because Rob Portman and others called me and asked”, said the American leader while holding a joint press conference with the president of Finland Sauli Niinisto in the White House. “I don’t like being the sucker country," Trump said. “I don't like to be the sucker and European countries are helped far more than we are, and those countries should pay more to help Ukraine.” Trump also said that before Zelensky “there was tremendous corruption in Ukraine, more than in any other country in the world.” “I did not want to give money to a country that is so corrupt,” the president explained and added that Ukraine “is located much closer to the countries of Europe than to the United States, that‘s why they should in the first instance render assistance to Kyiv. “They’re like a wall between Russia and Europe.  They’re like a wall.  They’re a big, wide, beautiful wall,” Trump said. Earlier, a senior representative of the American administration told the media that the United States has restored all military aid to Ukraine, both through the Department of State and the Pentagon. It is at least about $250 million from the Pentagon, which were previously frozen during the audit of the respective funds. Moreover, as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Clarke Cooper told reporters, another $140 million will be allocated from the foreign affairs agency. As reported, Donald Trump ordered a review of military aid to Ukraine, which in fiscal 2019 is $250 million, which will be frozen during the review. Korrespondent