Without US aid, Ukraine could lose war by year's end — CIA
If the United States does not approve assistance to Ukraine now, Kyiv may lose the war by the end of 2024, said CIA Director William Burns, Politico reported on April 18.
Read also: U.S. House Intelligence Committee urges House to approve Ukraine aid bill immediately
Speaking at an event at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Burns urged lawmakers to pass the supplemental that would dedicate billions to Ukraine’s war efforts.
“With the boost that would come from military assistance, both practically and psychologically, Ukrainians are entirely capable of holding their own through 2024 and puncturing [Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin’s arrogant view that time is on his side,” he said.
However, if it does not pass through Congress, "the picture is a lot more dire," Burns said.
"There is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement," he said.
Blocking the Ukraine funding bill in the U.S.
Republicans have been blocking the Ukraine aid bill since October 2023, initially citing the need to bolster U.S. immigration policy.
The U.S. Senate passed a bill on Feb. 13 providing $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with $60 billion allocated to Ukraine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the Senate proposal and refused to submit it for consideration.
Read also: Lacking support from the US, Ukraine has spent $4 billion from its budget on armaments & ammunition
He said he would bring the aid extension to a vote “in a timely manner,” noting the urgent need for aid to Ukraine after a meeting with President Joe Biden on Feb. 28.
Biden emphasized the "urgent need" to assist Ukraine during the meeting with congressional leaders from both parties.
Speakers of 23 parliaments and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola appealed to Johnson on Feb. 28 to consider the bill.
The next day, he announced that the House of Representatives would not take up the issue of providing aid to Ukraine until the U.S. government receives funding.
Johnson advised Republicans to prepare a proposal to at least partially convert military aid for Ukraine into a loan, Politico reported on March 19,
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 Ukraine aid bill would be brought to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives immediately after the Easter recess, which lasts in the States until April 9, Republican Congressman Don Bacon said on March 31.
Read also: Ukraine needs $42 billion in foreign aid this year — IMF
Johnson announced on April 1 that the Ukraine Aid bill would include significant new provisions, such as providing aid as loans, instead of grants.
Johnson introduced four separate bills regarding funding for U.S. aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other national security priorities on April 15.
The House of Representatives website published the text of a bill on military aid for Ukraine on April 17, including $60 billion and ATACMS missiles.
Johnson announced on the same day that he would bring the bill on funding for Ukraine to a vote on April 20.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
