Image Credits - Bloomberg.com
On Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he was confident Congress would renew war aid, expressing concerns about potential territorial losses to Russian advances without U.S. support.
Biden, speaking to reporters in Delaware after church, disclosed his conversation with Zelensky, emphasizing his belief in securing the necessary funding. He criticised the possible failure of U.S. lawmakers to approve new military aid to Kyiv as “absurd” and “unethical,” pledging to advocate for providing the required ammunition to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces completed their withdrawal from Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine on the same day, conceding control to Russian forces that outnumbered and outgunned them.
Avdiivka, a frontline city since 2014 and under heavy assault since October 2023, saw Ukrainian forces yielding territory to the advancing Russian troops. This retreat underscores the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces in the ongoing conflict. It highlights the urgency of international support, as emphasised by President Biden’s commitment to securing aid for Ukraine.
Military experts primarily attribute Ukraine’s failure to retain the city to a shortage of ammunition, which has been worsened by delays in U.S. funding. As Ukrainian forces withdraw to more secure positions, they are preparing for an intensified Russian offensive aimed at advancing further into Ukrainian territory. This strategic manoeuvre underscores the critical need for adequate military support, with a focus on securing ammunition supplies to bolster Ukraine’s defences against ongoing Russian aggression.
