Ukraine summons U.S. diplomat, warns that aid delays could embolden Russia
Ukraine summons U.S. diplomat, warns that aid delays could embolden Russia
Ukraine summoned the deputy chief of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday, warning that any delay in American military assistance would embolden Russia, according to the Ukrainian foreign ministry.
This came a day after the White House announced it was pausing certain key weapons deliveries to Ukraine that had been pledged by the previous U.S. administration to support its fight against Russia’s invasion.
“John Ginkel was invited to the Ukrainian foreign ministry… The Ukrainian side emphasized that any hesitation or delay in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities would only serve to encourage the aggressor to prolong the war,” the ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin welcomed the development, claiming that limiting the supply of weapons to Kyiv would help bring the conflict to a quicker end.
“In any case, the fewer the number of weapons that are delivered to Ukraine, the closer the end of the special military operation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to a question by AFP, using Russia’s term for its more than three-year offensive.
The aid cuts come at a perilous moment for Ukraine, which has endured weeks of intense Russian bombardment and has been ceding ground to Moscow’s army on the front line.
US media reported that Patriot air defence systems and artillery were among the items being held back, both of which Kyiv says it desperately needs.
A senior Ukrainian military official told AFP that Kyiv would face significant challenges defending against Russian attacks without U.S. ammunition.
“We are heavily reliant on American weapons supplies. Although Europe is making strong efforts, it will be difficult for us to hold the line without U.S. ammunition,” the official stated.
