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WASHINGTON (AP) – The top commander of U.S. forces in Europe told Congress Wednesday: ukraine If Congress doesn’t find a solution, it will be outnumbered 10 to 1 by Russia within weeks. Approve to send further Ammunition and weapons will soon be transported to Kiev.
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. That means the Russian military is firing five times as many shells at the Ukrainians as the Ukrainians can counterattack. That’s several weeks. It will be 10-1 very soon,” Cavoli said. “We’re not talking months. We’re not talking what-ifs.”
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 cite domestic needs as the reason. border security.
Also suitable for speakers Threats to his leadership role Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is calling for his ouster over the issue, spoke out on the far right.
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. That’s the case in most conflicts, but certainly in this one. And if Ukraine runs out, because we cut off supplies, Ukraine will run out — we supplies most of it,” 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.
“The ability to defend the terrain and airspace we currently hold will rapidly decline without replenishment,” Cavoli said.
U.S. military leaders issued a similar dire warning to the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee later in the day, saying the lack of additional funding is a serious problem for both Ukraine and the U.S. military.
“The side that can’t shoot back loses. And at this point Ukraine is really starting to feel the need to shoot back. So I’m very concerned,” said Secretary of the Army Christine Worms. “A few months ago we saw Ukraine lose some of its territory. And I think there is a real danger that Russia could make a breakthrough somewhere along the front.”
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George added that the funding is needed to send long-range weapons and air defense systems to Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure and front-line troops.
At the same time, Worms and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said the Army will not have sufficient funding or training funds to bring troops currently serving in Europe home unless Congress soon approves a replacement plan. He said it would be.us units
“We don’t have the transportation money to redeploy them,” Worms said, referring to Army units deployed across Europe. “We don’t have the transportation costs to send troops to backfill.”
She and George said they also need funding to continue sending troops to the National Training Center. Worms said training rotations could be reduced in number or scaled back in size to avoid canceling them completely.
“But it’s those hard choices that we’re considering. If the supplement doesn’t come through,” she 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.
Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin urged the vote.
“Chairman Johnson has a choice. I know it’s a complicated choice, and I accept that it puts him at risk of losing his job,” Slotkin said. Ta.
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Associated Press broadcaster Sagar Meghani contributed from Washington, D.C.
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