The significant advance of the Russian army in Ukraine is a direct result of insufficient military aid to Kyiv from the United States. John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the US National Security Council, said this at a briefing.
According to him, Russia has intensified its air attacks on Ukraine, using cruise and ballistic missiles and drones. Russian President Vladimir Putin is "throwing a hell of a lot of metal into the air" to force Ukrainians to return fire and defend themselves, Kirby said.
"He's trying to wear them down because he knows that the United States can't send a significant amount of support and aid to Ukraine right now. So he's certainly taking advantage of what's going on on Capitol Hill. And the dysfunction of our own system on Capitol Hill certainly gives him an opportunity to take a more favorable position for his military," the US presidential administration official said.
Kirby noted that after Ukraine's defense forces withdrew from Avdiivka in Donetsk region, Russians took control of several settlements to the west of the city.
"He's pushing forward against Ukrainian defense lines, defense lines that are increasingly difficult for them to defend and hold because they don't have the support of the United States," he added, calling on Congress to pass a national security bill that would fund military assistance to Kyiv.
