White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan renewed his urging on Sunday for House Republicans to bundle aid to Kiev, insisting that “Ukraine can of course win” a war against Russia. .
Sullivan said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that at the beginning of the war, most analysts expected Ukraine to quickly fall into Russian hands. Saturday marked the second anniversary of the start of the bloody conflict.
Sullivan said of the Russian dictator, “You have to understand that, in fact, Ukraine has succeeded in many ways in thwarting President Vladimir Putin’s fundamental objective of conquering Ukraine.” Told.
Earlier this month, Ukraine suffered a heavy blow when it was forced to retreat from the eastern city of Avdiivka, marking one of Russia’s biggest battlefield victories in recent months.
“The Ukraine didn’t have enough ammunition to defend the town,” Sullivan claimed. “Ukraine is still capable if we provide the necessary means and resources to win this war.”
Congress has been paralyzed for months over whether to extend aid to Ukraine again. President Biden asked Congress to replenish the aid in August, but months of fighting have continued since then.
Republicans are demanding that new aid to Kiev be combined with increased U.S. border security.
But even a proposed $118 billion deal for aid to Ukraine, Israel and America’s Indo-Pacific allies, coupled with border security reforms, died in the Senate earlier this month.
A few days later, the Senate passed a $95 billion aid package with about $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, but House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) refused to take it up on the floor, leaving it in limbo. became.
“This ultimately comes down to a simple decision by one man, Speaker Johnson. If there is a debate on this in the House, it will pass on a bipartisan basis,” Sullivan said.
“If he doesn’t [put it up for a vote]”The United States would then not have the resources necessary to give Ukraine the necessary tools and capabilities,” the Biden official said.
However, if Prime Minister Boris Johnson brings his Ukraine aid package to a vote, there is a risk that Republican hardliners will force a motion to expel him, as some have already threatened.
At least one Democrat — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (New Jersey) — hopes to sidestep hardliners by insulating Johnson from any efforts to oust him. Johnson’s predecessor, Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), was fired in October over tough spending.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is already busy trying to avoid another partial government shutdown on March 1. Conservative hardliners are furious with Prime Minister Boris Johnson over key spending figures meant to keep the government’s lights on.
Mr Biden said last week that he may meet with Mr Johnson to resolve their differences. He had accused the White House of rejecting numerous requests for talks.
Meanwhile, Ukrainians are keeping an eye on Washington.
“There is no lack of courage or courage on the part of the Ukrainians right now. There is a lack of bullets,” Sullivan said on “Fox News Sunday.”
The House is scheduled to reconvene after a brief recess this week.
Asked about concerns that Russia would interfere in the 2024 election, Sullivan insisted there was reason to be concerned.
“I can’t talk about the evidence today, but of course I can’t say there’s concern. There’s history here,” he said.
Sullivan also commented on Israel’s plans to carry out a military operation in the southern Palestinian town of Rafah, along the Egyptian border.
Given the large number of Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, Israel’s plans for a ground invasion have sparked fierce opposition from Egypt and other neighbors in the region.
Sullivan said he had not seen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to evacuate the town before carrying out war operations.
“We do not believe that large-scale military operations should proceed in Rafah unless there is a clear and viable plan to protect civilians, move them to safety, and provide them with food, clothing, and shelter. We have made it clear that This was announced by a White House aide.
“I’ve never seen a plan like that.”
He declined to say whether Biden would withhold military aid from Israel if the Jewish state moves forward with an invasion of Rafah without a clear refugee evacuation plan.
