U.S. Assistance Delays Exploited by Putin to Bolster Russian Military Position – Sky Bulletin

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In recent developments, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby highlighted on March 4 that delays in the United States’ aid to Ukraine are being leveraged by Russian President Vladimir Putin to reinforce the Russian military campaign.

The Congress of the United States has been entangled in a legislative delay regarding aid for Ukraine since Autumn 2023. Despite the Senate’s approval of a $95 billion foreign aid legislation on February 13, encompassing $60 billion allocated to Ukraine, as well as support for Israel and other allies, the House of Representatives has yet to sanction the bill.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, after postponing the vote for multiple weeks, announced on February 29 that they would address the foreign aid legislation just after the government’s own finances were secured.

The U.S. Congress successfully passed a temporary funding measure to prevent a partial government shutdown; however, this act did not include provisions for Ukraine aid.

The lack of expedient U.S. assistance has been detrimental to Ukraine’s resilience against Russian aggression, prompting ammunition shortages and contributing to the surrender of the strategic location of Avdiivka.

When queried on whether Putin is capitalizing on American indecision to send aid to Ukraine, Kirby expressed his concern stating that the depleted ammunition reserves in Ukraine are indeed giving Russia a substantial military edge.  

“Putin is clearly seizing the opportunities presented by the logjams on Capitol Hill. And the failing functioning of our parliamentary system there is undoubtedly shifting the military advantages in his favor,” Kirby articulated.

During a February visit to Lviv, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer cautioned that without American support, Ukraine might face defeat in the conflict. He urged the House Speaker to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

According to recent reports, earlier this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson had confidential discussions with Republican members who are proponents of the military aid to Ukraine about formulating a distinct foreign aid proposal for the House.

U.S. internal projections suggest that the ammunition deficit in Ukraine “could effectively alter the course of the war and extend significant benefit to Russian President Vladimir Putin.”

As voiced by ABC News, serious concerns arise as it reported on February 22 that Ukraine might encounter an ‘acute’ shortage of munitions and air defense systems come late March if Congress fails to enact the legislation which includes $61 billion pivotal for Kyiv, as stated by two unidentified U.S. officials.

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