Military aid to Ukraine
Biden wants to bring “inaction” Congress to reason
February 18, 2024, 3:38 a.m
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After the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from Avdiivka, the White House blamed the US Congress for responsibility. Due to its blockade, there was not enough ammunition in the defensive war against Russia. President Biden vows improvement. Anything else would be “absurd” and “unethical”.
In a conversation with his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Joe Biden expressed optimism about further billions in military aid for his country. He told Zelenskyj in a telephone conversation that he was “confident that we will get the money,” Biden told reporters on Saturday (local time) after attending church in the US state of Delaware.
The head of state added that it would be “absurd” and “unethical” if MPs and senators did not approve funding for the Ukrainian military. “I will fight to make sure they get the ammunition they need,” Biden said.
After the phone call with Biden, Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote on X: “I am grateful to have President Biden’s unconditional support.” Zelensky added: “I also believe that the US Congress will make a wise decision.” The White House said Biden called Zelensky “to underscore the United States’ commitment to continuing to support Ukraine.”
Ukrainian supplies “running out”
With regard to the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, the White House said that the Ukrainian soldiers had to “ration” their ammunition before the withdrawal because their supplies were depleted “as a result of Congress’s inaction.” had run out. This resulted in “Russia’s first significant gains in months.”
In the phone call with Zelensky, Biden reaffirmed the “strong support of the US government and the American people” for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and called on Congress to end the tug-of-war over the $60 billion (around 55.7 billion euros) heavy aid package must be urgently ended.
“Ukrainians continue to fight bravely, but their supplies are running low,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson had previously said. It is therefore “critically important that the House of Representatives immediately approve additional funding for Ukraine so that we can provide Ukraine with artillery ammunition and other critical equipment it needs to defend its country.”
The Ukrainian army had previously reported its withdrawal from Avdiivka after months of fighting – an important symbolic success for the Russian armed forces. The US has been Ukraine’s largest donor since the Russian invasion almost two years ago. The new aid package is being blocked by the opposition Republicans in Congress for months at the behest of former US President Donald Trump, who wants to run for re-election in November.