In a critical move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged with US Congress members yesterday, striving to secure crucial funding amidst warnings from the White House of depleting resources allocated for Ukraine by year’s end.
This initiative follows the inability of previous White House warnings to alter the opposing stances within Congress, prompting Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to invite Zelensky for a persuasive talk with the lawmakers.
Adding to the diplomatic efforts, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, visited the Capitol on the same day.
He aimed to sway the opinions of Senate and House members who oppose the funding, at a time when Ukraine acknowledges the failure of its counter-offensive launched in June.
Meanwhile, Russian forces intensify their assault on the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka from two new fronts.
The Ukrainian President’s office director emphasized the high risk of Ukraine losing its war with Russia if the discussed American aid is delayed.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan from the White House echoed these concerns. Sullivan warned that halting US assistance to Kyiv would enable Russian President Vladimir Putin to claim victory in the conflict.
He stressed the importance of Congress’s decision, stating, “Congress must decide whether to continue supporting the fight for freedom in Ukraine or ignore the lessons of history and allow Putin to triumph. The choice is that simple.”
On the ground, intense exchanges of fire continued, impacting Kherson in the southern front and the Crimean Peninsula.
Moscow announced yesterday that its Sukhoi-25 aircraft launched an attack on a Ukrainian armed forces support point near Krasni.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported its air defense systems destroyed or intercepted 41 Ukrainian drones overnight, targeting the Sea of Azov and Crimea.
