Endurance of Ukrainian soldiers soon it will not be able to match the manpower and missiles of the Russian army, if Congress does not allocate additional funds for military aid to Ukraine, the commander-in-chief of US forces in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, told lawmakers, writes Voice of America.
U.S. military officials have repeatedly warned in recent weeks that Russian forces have been able to make incremental advances in Ukraine and that, without new U.S. support, Ukrainian forces will eventually have to capitulate.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, the commander of US Army European Command described the state of the military field: "If we don't continue to support Ukraine, it's going to run out of artillery shells, and it's going to run out of air defense interceptors in pretty short order." , said General Cavoli, explaining that Kiev depends on America when it comes to that key ammunition.
Kavoli also said that Russia has already gained a significant advantage since US lawmakers did not pass an additional $60 billion aid package.
"The Russian side is now firing more munitions into Ukraine by a ratio of 5 to 1," the general told members of Congress. "In the next few weeks, the ratio will be 10 to 1".
Ukrainian army forced to reduce spending
Multiple US officials have warned that Ukraine's military is being forced to cut artillery spending and reduce air defense capabilities as Kiev waits for US lawmakers to approve more aid.
"We have already seen the consequences of the failure to pass the additional aid package," Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander said at the hearing, testifying alongside General Cavoli.
"We don't have to imagine what will happen," she said, blaming the lack of artillery that Ukraine receives from the US for the success of the Russian attacks.
The additional defense assistance package was passed in the Senate back in February, but leaders in the House of Representatives have so far refused to bring it up for a vote.
At a news conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said members of Congress continue to "actively consider options on the way forward."
Democrats criticize Johnson
House Democrats, however, expressed frustration with Johnson's refusal to bring the bill to a vote.
"The House has been waiting for months to pass a security package to help Ukraine," said Congressman Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. "Several weeks ago we were already late." And now - every day it costs us extremely dearly when it comes to the ability to deter Russia."
House Representative Elisa Slotkin, also a Democrat, sharply criticized Johnson, saying she had to call the vote despite opposition from a small group of Republicans in the lower house of Congress.
"I understand he's at risk of losing his job because of that decision, but that's leadership - acting like an adult and making tough decisions."
Some Republicans, however, have criticized Democratic lawmakers for what they say are misplaced priorities.
"We have hundreds of thousands of Americans dying, fentanyl overdoses, child smuggling and sex trafficking, not to mention residents of 178-plus countries crossing our border," said Republican Congressman Cory Mills..
"But wait, that's not a priority." Let's secure Ukraine's borders," he said.
