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File photo: General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, attends a press conference after the Allied Military Committee meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, January 19, 2023. Photo by Johanna Jan. 19, 2023. Geron/Reuters
WASHINGTON (AP) – The top commander of U.S. forces in Europe said Wednesday that if Congress doesn’t quickly find a way to approve the shipment of additional ammunition and weapons to Kiev, Ukraine will likely be 10 times more vulnerable to Russia within weeks. He told Congress that he would be overwhelmed by 1.
The testimony from Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command, and Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, comes as Congress enters a pivotal week before voting on aid to Ukraine. There is no guarantee that funding will improve. time.
Ukraine is rationing military supplies as Congress delays passing an additional $60 billion bill.
“They are now losing 5-1 to the Russian side, which means the Russian side is firing five times as many shells at Ukraine as the Ukrainian side can counterattack. It’s going to be one against one,” Cavoli said. “We’re not talking months. We’re not talking hypotheticals.”
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Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to find a way forward for a bill that would fund new military production by U.S. companies so the Pentagon could rush more munitions to Ukraine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to bring it to a vote in the Commons, but he faces concerns from MPs who have cited domestic needs such as border security.
The speaker is also facing threats to her leadership role from far-right forces, including Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is calling for her removal over the issue.
While political battles continue on Capitol Hill, the dire battlefield situation in Ukraine is worsening.
Cavoli told lawmakers that the influx of American 155mm artillery shells has been a lifeline in this conflict. “The biggest killer on the battlefield is artillery, in most conflicts, but definitely in this one. And if Ukraine runs out, they will run out because we cut off supplies. ,” Cavoli said.
Russia’s own missile production is increasing and it can launch a major attack every few days. If Ukraine’s air defense reserves are depleted, “if we are not able to defend against attacks without the provision of interceptors by the United States, these attacks will completely devastate the Ukrainian economy, civil society and even the military,” Kavoly said. said.
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“The ability to defend the terrain and airspace we currently hold will rapidly decline without replenishment,” Cavoli said.
If Kiev falls, it could endanger Ukraine’s Baltic NATO neighbors and drag U.S. forces into a protracted European war.
“Members of the House of Commons continue to actively discuss options for the way forward,” Johnson said at a press conference in Parliament House on Wednesday.
“This is a very complex issue at a very complex time. The clock is ticking and everyone here feels the urgency, but what we need is to come to an agreement on it. Yes, and that’s what we’re working on,” Johnson said. He said.
Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin urged the vote.
“Speaker Johnson has a choice, and I acknowledge that it’s a complicated choice. I also acknowledge that that choice puts him at risk of losing his job,” Slotkin said.
Associated Press broadcaster Sagar Meghani contributed from Washington, D.C.
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File photo: General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, attends a press conference after the Allied Military Committee meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, January 19, 2023. Photo by Johanna Jan. 19, 2023. Geron/Reuters
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