President Joe Biden has warned of the potential for further losses of Ukrainian territory if Congress does not renew military aid to Ukraine. He assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he is confident Congress will approve the aid to repel Russia after its forces captured the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka.
Biden called it “absurd” and “unethical” for lawmakers not to approve a new package of military aid, and said he was not confident that another Ukrainian city would not fall to Russian forces without US support. He spoke to Zelenskyy in a call hours after Russia announced the capture of Avdiivka, which the Ukrainian leader described as “a professional decision that will save many Ukrainian lives.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the capture of Avdiivka as an “important victory” in the war, near the two-year mark, while the White House said Ukrainian forces withdrew due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction.
Vice President Kamala Harris accused Republicans of “political gamesmanship” for holding up aid, while Democrats and Republicans have been sharply divided over continuing support for Ukraine. The $95bn package of aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan faces a difficult road in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, with House Speaker Mike Johnson insisting on addressing security on the US-Mexico border before approving the aid.
President Biden blasted House Republicans for taking a two-week recess, calling it “time they step up” and assuage concerns about the US being a reliable ally.