US president warns of additional losses of Ukrainian territory if Congress doesn’t renew army assist.
United States President Joe Biden has stated he assured Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he’s assured Congress will renew army assist to repel Russia after its forces captured the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka.
“I spoke with Zelenskyy this afternoon to let him know that I was confident we’re going to get that money,” Biden advised reporters on Saturday.
Biden stated he was not assured one other Ukrainian metropolis wouldn’t fall to Russian forces with out US help and that it could be “absurd” and “unethical” for lawmakers to not approve a brand new package deal of army assist.
“I find it contrary to everything we are as a country,” he stated.
Biden spoke to Zelenskyy in a name hours after Russia introduced the seize of Avdiivka following the sooner withdrawal of Kyiv’s forces, which the Ukrainian chief described as “a professional decision that will save many Ukrainian lives”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the seize of Avdiivka, an industrial hub positioned some 10km (6.2 miles) north of the town of Donetsk, as an “important victory” within the battle, which is nearing the two-year mark.
The White Home stated in a press release after the decision that Ukrainian forces withdrew after being pressured to “ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia’s first notable gains in months”.
Zelenskyy stated in a publish on Telegram after the decision that he was “glad that I can count on the full support of the American president” and that he had religion within the “wise decision of the US Congress.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris additionally took goal at Republicans for holding up assist on Saturday, accusing them of “political gamesmanship” after assembly with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Munich Safety Convention in Germany.
Democrats and Republicans have been sharply divided over persevering with help for Kyiv, with allies of former US President Donald Trump insisting the funds be spent on home points, together with border safety.
Whereas the US Senate handed a $95bn package deal of assist for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan earlier this week, the invoice faces a troublesome street within the Republican-controlled Home of Representatives.
Republican Home Speaker Mike Johnson has slammed the invoice for not addressing safety on the US-Mexico border, which he has described because the “most pressing issue facing our country”, and insisted the Home won’t be rushed to approve the help.
On Friday, Biden blasted Home Republicans for taking a two-week recess, saying it was “time they step up” and assuage considerations concerning the US being a dependable ally.