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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to a remark from Donald Trump Jr. by offering to send Ukrainian firefighters to help battle the devastating wildfires in California. The suggestion comes after Trump Jr. criticized the Los Angeles County Fire Department for donating supplies to Ukraine in the early days of the war.
In a video statement on Sunday, Zelenskyy announced that he had instructed Ukraine's Minister of Interior Affairs and diplomats to prepare for the possibility of sending 150 Ukrainian firefighters to California. He expressed that Ukrainian firefighters are ready to assist, given the intense challenge posed by the wildfires. “The situation there is extremely challenging, and Ukrainians can help Americans protect lives,” Zelenskyy said.
The controversy started when Trump Jr. reposted a news story about the Los Angeles County Fire Department's 2022 donation of surplus firefighting supplies to Ukraine. These items, which included hoses, helmets, body armor, and other protective gear, were intended to help Ukrainian firefighters working in perilous conditions amidst the war. Trump Jr. reacted sarcastically, calling attention to the donation, prompting Zelenskyy’s offer to send Ukrainian rescuers to California.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department's donation had been described by Chief Daryl L. Osby at the time as an effort to support Ukraine's firefighting efforts, especially given the extreme conditions faced by Ukrainian firefighters and the limited resources available to them. The department had stated that this was the first time they had donated supplies to a war effort.
In the midst of this, wildfires have ravaged Southern California since Tuesday, burning more than 40,000 acres and destroying over 12,000 buildings. At least two dozen people have lost their lives, and more than 150,000 people have been forced to evacuate. This catastrophe has further spurred political discussions about resource management and mismanagement in California. Trump, whose administration had previously dealt with wildfire crises, criticized state officials for their handling of the situation.
With these blazes still wreaking havoc, speculation about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine has intensified. As Trump prepares to take office again in a week, questions are being raised regarding his stance on continued aid to Ukraine, especially in light of his previous calls for a ceasefire and suspending Ukraine's NATO ambitions. His son's comments only add to the uncertainty surrounding U.S. involvement.
*Source: USA Today
