U.S. policymakers have been heatedly debating for months how and whether to continue supporting Ukraine, leaving Kyiv’s forces sorely short of artillery, air defense systems and long-range weapons.
“While we were waiting for a decision on American support, the Russian army managed to take the initiative on the battlefield,” said V. Zelensky, starting a virtual meeting of several dozen international supporters of Ukraine.
“Now we will be able to not only stabilize the front, but also move forward to achieve Ukraine’s goals in the war,” he said, while noting that “Ukraine’s defenders need your sufficient and timely support.”
V. Zelensky also emphasized how important this war is, saying that Russia’s success would encourage further aggression.
“Predatory regimes like Russia’s are rapidly increasing their appetite for aggression. When they succeed in one part of the world, it causes problems in many other places. Unstoppable aggression continues to spread,” he said.
Washington, Ukraine’s main military backer, has sent more than $44 billion since February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. dollars (40 billion euros) worth of military aid to Kyiv.
But Congress hasn’t approved major new funding for its ally for nearly a year and a half — largely because of internal political wrangling — and only as of last week has it finally taken steps to pave the way for new support.
New military aid from the United States and other countries will help Ukraine regain the initiative on the battlefield, but it will take time, a senior US defense official said on Thursday.
“Ukrainians will have to rebuild to accommodate all these new supplies […] and defend their positions. Therefore, I would not predict any large-scale attack in the near future,” the official added.
Tags: Zelensky Russia initiative battlefield delayed providing support
