US support vital for Ukraine's victory over Russia even if provided as loan, Zelenskyy tells PBS

Without American support, Ukraine will have no chance of winning, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with PBS NewsHour on April 15.

"I can tell you, frankly, without this support, we will have no chance of winning," he said.

“You need to be much stronger than your enemy. Today, our artillery shell ratio is 1-10. Can we hold our ground? No”

"In any case, with these statistics, they will be pushing us back every day," the Ukrainian leader said.

"How can we destroy those?" added Zelenskyy.

“There is a specific weapon that we need to advance. There's a specific weapon to defend the skies. This plan exists. Besides, all the partners have it in their hands.”

Read also: Kyiv lukewarm on getting US military aid via loans — report

When asked whether Ukraine would agree to the U.S. loan offer, the president replied affirmatively because "it doesn't matter for us for today."

When Zelenskyy last spoke with a team of congressmen, they already offered to provide Ukraine with a loan.

"We wanted another way to get this money last year, but, for today, it doesn't matter," the head of state added.

“We need to survive, and we need to defend our people, and that's why your decision, the ball is on your field. Yes, please, just make a decision.”

U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that Washington should provide Ukraine with assistance structured as a loan during a visit to Kyiv on March 18.

Read also: 'They should have already done it' - UA Foreign Minister won't get his hopes up on U.S. aid bill

Politico, citing a source close to the President's Office, reported on March 20 that Kyiv was "somewhat offended" by Graham's proposal.

The struggle for U.S. aid

Republicans in the United States have been blocking the Ukraine aid bill since October 2023, initially tying it to U.S. migration policy.

The U.S. Senate passed a bill providing $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with $60 billion allocated to Ukraine on Feb. 13.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the Senate proposal and refused to submit it for consideration.

The speakers of 23 parliaments and the head of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, called on Johnson on Feb. 28 to bring the bill to the floor. The next day, he said that the House of Representatives would not consider the issue of allocating aid to Ukraine before the U.S. government receives funding.

He said he would bring the aid extension to a vote “in a timely manner,” noting the urgent need for aid to Ukraine, Johnson promised after a meeting with President Joe Biden on Feb. 28.

Read also: Macron: Europe ready with $53 billion aid package for Ukraine if US falters

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $1.2 trillion funding package for government agencies on March 22, while the Senate passed the same package on March 23, leading President Biden to sign it and call on the House to pass a bill supporting Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

The Biden administration was still negotiating new aid for Ukraine with Speaker Johnson as of April 5, who mentioned important amendments to the aid bill on April 1.

Unless the United States provides Ukraine with a new military aid package, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will “destroy everything and kill a lot of people”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on April 10.

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine