Ukrainian forces retreated from Avdiivka on the morning of 17 February, a move that U.S. President Joe Biden attributes to a critical shortage of ammunition.
This shortage, according to President Biden, is a direct consequence of U.S. Congress's failure to act, marking Russia's first significant military advancement in recent months.
In a recent communication, the White House disclosed that President Biden had a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, 17 February. This discussion aimed to reaffirm the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine as the second anniversary of Russia’s aggressive invasion approaches. President Biden emphasized the urgent necessity for the U.S. Congress to approve the supplemental funding bill for national security, which is crucial for replenishing the Ukrainian military's ammunition stocks.
During this critical dialogue, President Biden also reassured of the strong bipartisan backing within the U.S. government and the American populace for Ukraine's fight to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Moreover, he highlighted the importance of imposing significant penalties on Russia to hold it accountable for its continuous aggressive actions.
This development comes in the wake of the announcement by Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, regarding the strategic withdrawal of Ukrainian units from Avdiivka in the face of overwhelming challenges. On the same day, President Zelenskyy, who was attending the Munich Security Conference, shared insights from his conversation with President Biden.
He expressed gratitude for the full support from the U.S. president and conveyed optimism that the U.S. Congress would make a judicious decision regarding the supplemental funding, underscoring the critical support needed on the ground in Ukraine amidst ongoing hostilities.
