U.S. aid to Ukraine is running low and will soon expire, the White House warned, stressing that it has just enough pre-authorized funding for one more aid package this year before the administration needs to get Congressional approval again.
That task has become increasingly difficult as a growing number of Republicans block Ukraine aid, demanding that Biden put more focus and resources toward domestic issues like securing America’s southern border.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy nonetheless told a press conference Tuesday afternoon he was confident the U.S. would “not let us down” and more aid would come “very soon.” He also expressed optimism the European Union would approve the 50 billion-euro ($54 billion) financing package that was blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban last week.
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Ukraine’s top general earlier in the day issued what appears to be clear criticism of Zelenskyy over difficulties in recruiting new soldiers.
Meanwhile, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russian-led military alliance of post-Soviet countries, announced plans to carry out seven drills in 2024, Russian state outlet Tass reported.
On Monday, the EU approved its 12th package of sanctions on Russia, and Russian President Vladimir Putin registered his candidacy for his country’s 2024 elections.