Biden “reaffirmed the sturdy bipartisan assist within the US authorities” for Ukraine’s sovereignty (File)
Washington:
US President Joe Biden on Saturday blamed congressional inaction for Russia’s seize of the japanese Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, as partisan wrangling holds up $60 billion in badly wanted army support.
With Ukrainian forces operating low on provides, Biden known as President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday “to underscore the USA’ dedication to proceed supporting Ukraine,” in accordance with a White Home assertion summarizing the decision.
It stated the Ukrainian withdrawal from Avdiivka got here “after Ukrainian troopers needed to ration ammunition as a result of dwindling provides because of congressional inaction, leading to Russia’s first notable beneficial properties in months.”
Biden “reaffirmed the sturdy bipartisan assist within the US authorities and among the many American folks for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and he known as on Congress to urgently move a spending invoice together with support for Ukraine.
“The Ukrainians proceed to combat bravely, however they’re operating low on provides,” Nationwide Safety Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson stated earlier, including that Ukraine wanted artillery ammunition and different essential gear.
In a submit on Telegram following the telephone name, Zelensky stated: “I’m glad that I can rely on the complete assist of the American president. We additionally consider within the sensible resolution of the US Congress.”
The autumn of Avdiivka, an industrial metropolis in Ukraine’s japanese Donbas area, was a significant symbolic victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Avdiivka, although largely destroyed by now, had been a logo of Ukraine’s decided resistance to Russian aggression since 2014.
The statements of US assist got here as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken had been scrambling to reassure Western allies on the Munich Safety Convention that Washington’s assist of Kyiv’s conflict effort towards the Russian invasion would proceed.
With current US funding having already dried up, Donald Trump’s allies within the Home of Representatives have been stalling essential Ukraine support.
Trump, the doubtless Republican nominee within the November presidential race, opposes serving to Kyiv and just lately used his sway to kill a US border reform invoice that may have additionally licensed extra support to Ukraine.
Talking in Munich earlier Saturday alongside Zelensky, Harris stated: “Because it pertains to our assist for Ukraine, we have to be unwavering and we can’t play political video games.”
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