Zelensky rallies for international aid, warning of ‘artificial deficit’ of weapons

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for additional international aid and warned allies that an “artificial shortage” of weapons risks giving Russia more room to attack.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, an annual gathering of security and foreign policy officials, President Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine is approaching the second anniversary of defending itself against Russian attack.

He said a lack of ammunition supplies and a shortage of personnel were making it difficult for the troops to operate. According to the Associated Press, Zelenskyy emphasized the military’s ability to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The Ukrainians have proven that they can force Russia to leave,” he said. “We can take back the land, but Putin may also lose. This has already happened many times on the battlefield.”

“Our actions… are limited only by our strength,” President Zelenskiy said.

He noted that the Ukrainian military withdrew troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka because it was concerned about protecting “the lives and health of our soldiers” and moving to more advantageous positions. The Ukrainian leader added that the Ukrainian military especially needs support from artillery and long-range strike capabilities.

“We are just waiting for the missing weapons,” he said.

The party leaders’ pleas continue as a $60 billion aid package, which has been under consideration in Congress for months, remains stalled. The foreign aid package was finally passed by the Senate earlier this week without a hitch, but it faces a hurdle in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louis.) has said he won’t approve the bill. Says.

The White House criticized Prime Minister Johnson for allowing the House of Commons to adjourn without voting on the aid package.

But House Republicans say the foreign aid bill must be combined with money for border security. A bipartisan group of moderates in the House of Representatives announced a new bill on Friday that would tie the two together, even though a similar bill failed to pass in the Senate earlier this month.

The Associated Press contributed.