Politico: The West seeks to prevent the Ukrainian army from collapsing 0
(Dan Tri) – The worsening prospects of the Ukrainian army on the battlefield have prompted Western officials to call for more US military aid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the difficult battlefield situation due to stagnation of Western aid (Photo: Reuters).
The US Congress has so far been unable to pass a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, but US lawmakers plan to resume discussion on that issue later this month.
Politico quoted several unnamed US officials as saying that at the Munich Security Conference last weekend, Western officials mainly discussed plans to avoid the risk of the Ukrainian army collapsing.
US Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said this aid package would be a `game changer` for Ukraine.
`In the short term, I don’t know of any other way for Ukraine to get the weapons, ammunition and equipment it needs other than from the United States,` Mr. Warner said.
In a press conference with US Vice President Kamala Harris on February 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted: `We are not currently considering alternatives because we are counting on the US as a strategic partner.`
Meanwhile, Ms. Harris affirmed that there is no plan B in case US lawmakers do not approve an additional aid package for Ukraine.
Some Western leaders warn that without more US aid, Ukraine’s defense line could collapse this year.
Running out of ammunition while aid from the West stalled is said to be the main reason forcing Ukraine to decide to withdraw its troops from the strategic city of Avdiivka in the East after months of fierce fighting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday admitted that the country’s army is facing an `extremely difficult` situation along the front line with Russia due to stalled aid sources.
`The situation is extremely difficult in some front-line areas where Russia is concentrating maximum resources,` Mr. Zelensky said after visiting front-line units in Kharkov.
Ukraine’s military commanders predict that, taking advantage of the stagnation of aid to Ukraine, Russia may quickly attack other front-line areas after capturing Avdiivka.
Ukrainian forces said that Russia is concentrating its forces and firepower in the Zaporizhia region, southern Ukraine.
