Ukraine’s War With Russia at Risk as U.S. Military Aid Hangs in the Balance of Congressional Vote

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak warned that if the United States postpones military aid to Ukraine, there is a “big risk” the country could lose its war with Russia. Speaking at the U.S. Institute for Peace during a visit to Washington, Yermak said failure by Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine could make it “impossible” to liberate more territory captured by Russia and “give the big risk to lose this war.”

The Office of Management and Budget has warned that without additional aid, Ukraine’s budget will run out this month. In response, Senate Democrats are moving ahead with a vote this week on President Biden’s request for $106 billion in emergency funding, including billions in foreign aid.

Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat from Colorado, said “Sometimes a failed cloture vote is just a failed cloture vote, and tomorrow we are going to fail to pass it.” The vote is expected to fail, absent a last-minute deal on border funding that has so far eluded lawmakers.

Yermak urged Congress to act quickly on the aid package, saying “That is why it is extremely critically important that this support will be voted and will be voted as soon as possible.” He warned that without the aid, Ukraine could be in the same position it is in now.

The vote on the aid package is expected to take place this week. It remains to be seen if Congress will approve the aid package and if it will be enough to prevent Ukraine from losing its war with Russia.