CIA Director William Burns has warned that without additional US military aid, Ukraine could potentially lose the war with Russia by the end of the year. Burns emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that time is running out to help Ukraine. He described a scenario where failure to approve billions of dollars in supplemental assistance from Congress could result in dire consequences for Ukraine.
Burns highlighted the fact that there is a real risk of Ukrainian forces losing on the battlefield by the end of 2024 or allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to dictate the terms of a political settlement. He explained that Ukrainian forces are not lacking in will but are quickly running out of ammunition. Burns pointed to specific examples, such as Ukrainian brigades being limited to firing only a small number of artillery rounds and mortar shells per day before the fall of Avdiivka in February.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on four foreign aid bills, including a $60.8 billion package for Ukraine. Burns emphasized that with military assistance, Ukrainians are capable of holding their own through 2024 and challenging Putin’s belief that time is on his side. He warned that without the additional support, more instances like the fall of Avdiivka could occur in the future.
The CIA director highlighted that increased firepower would allow the Ukrainian military to conduct deeper strikes against targets in Crimea and Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. He also expressed concerns shared by European leaders and some US lawmakers that if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, his ambitions may extend to seizing territory beyond the former Soviet state. Burns emphasized the need to prevent Putin from expanding his territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine.
In conclusion, Burns stressed the importance of providing Ukraine with the necessary military aid in order to prevent a potential loss to Russia by the end of the year. He urged Congress to approve the supplemental assistance package to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and enable them to continue resisting Russian aggression. Burns emphasized that time is of the essence and that without swift action, the consequences could be severe for Ukraine and the region as a whole. The CIA director’s warning serves as a call to action to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and maintain regional stability.
