The leading US general in Europe informed Congress on Wednesday, 10 April, that without continued US assistance, Ukraine faces the imminent risk of running out of artillery shells and air defense interceptors, potentially leading to a significant defeat.
General Christopher Cavoli, the commander of European Command, stressed the dire weapon shortages to the House Armed Services Committee, noting that Russia currently outmatches Ukraine in artillery five to one, a gap that may widen to ten to one in the near future.
“If one side can shoot and the other side can’t shoot back, the side that can’t shoot back loses. So the stakes are very high,” Cavoli stated, as reported by Euractiv.
The Looming Threat of Silence
“They’re really dependent this year on us, Mr. Chairman. And without our support, they will not be able to prevail,” he emphasized.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has declined to schedule a vote on a bill proposing an additional $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the White House is actively seeking alternative methods to deliver support to Kyiv amidst its ongoing conflict with Russian forces.
Frustration is growing among some lawmakers over the stalled funding for Ukraine, despite its approval by the Senate.
During the session, Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin of Michigan urged Johnson to take decisive action, even at the risk of his position, stating, “That’s what leadership is.”
The Toll of Escalation
Recent Russian airstrikes targeted a clinic and a pharmacy in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, resulting in at least three fatalities. The assaults on Kharkiv and its vicinity have intensified, with strikes increasingly impacting civilian and energy infrastructure.
The Biden administration has expressed concerns over the dwindling funding for Ukraine. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last month highlighted the existential threat to Ukraine's survival and aimed to assure allies of the US's dedication to supporting Kyiv.
The scarcity of funds is already affecting the situation in Ukraine, where Russian advancements continue, and Ukrainian forces are stretched thin.
As President Biden works to secure a substantial aid package for Ukraine amidst other foreign policy challenges, European support becomes increasingly crucial. However, US officials assert that European aid alone will not suffice.
On Tuesday, the Biden administration announced the transfer of thousands of infantry weapons and over 500,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine, previously seized from an Iranian shipment intended for Houthi forces in Yemen.
