2024-04-18 23:46:24
(CNN)– CIA Director William Burns warned Thursday that Ukraine might lose the war with Russia at the end of the year if the United States does not send more troops. Military support Kyiv.
Burns’ statement is one of the strongest warnings yet from the U.S. administration regarding the risks Ukraine faces, as Congress debates whether to approve a long-awaited aid package for kyiv.
Just a month ago, Burns warned during testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee that if Congress did not act to approve additional support, which has long been hampered by opposition from members of the Republican Party of the Chamber, “Ukraine will likely lose significant ground in 2024.”
But William Burns warned Thursday, in statements at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, that Ukraine “may be forced to surrender completely” and said: “With the boost that will come from military aid, I believe that Ukrainians are practically and psychologically fully capable of resisting until 2024.”
He added: “Without help, the situation would be much more dangerous. “There is a very real danger that the Ukrainians will be lost on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or at least put (Russian President Vladimir) Putin in a position where he can dictate the terms of a political settlement.” he pointed out, Burns said Ukraine was in dire need of munitions.
This warning comes at a time when Joe Biden’s administration is trying to push the House of Representatives to pass the long-stalled aid plan.
The aid legislation also includes aid to Israel, and as a result, House Speaker Mike Johnson has been under pressure to move the package forward following the Iranian attack on Israel over the weekend.
In an attempt to satisfy the divided wings of the Republican Party, some for and some once morest aid to Ukraine, he split the legislation into separate bills and the aid to Ukraine portion is expected to come up for a vote on Saturday evening.
Burns did not provide further details Thursday on how he defines the word “loss,” and a source close to Western intelligence told CNN that if the package was not passed, officials believed it was unlikely that Russia would invade Ukraine, but Russian forces might gain significant control. additional territory, then freezes fighting via a de facto ceasefire, similar to what happened following Moscow annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in 2014. This would be considered a “loss.”
CNN previously reported that Ukraine’s shortage of ammunition and military equipment had disastrous consequences during the fighting.
1713493079
#intelligence #director #warns #Ukraine #surrender #Russia #matter
