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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: "If Congress doesn't help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war."

Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa

Given the difficult situation of his army in the east of the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of a defeat for his country. With a view to the lack of further military aid from the USA, Zelensky said at a video conference organized by United24, a government fundraising initiative: "If Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war." Meanwhile, the military continued to struggle near the city of Chasiv Yar in distress.

“Without the support of Congress, it will be difficult for us to win or even survive as a country,” emphasized Zelensky in his speech, which was broadcast on online networks. Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, is suffering from a shortage of ammunition at the front due to the delays.

First meeting after spring break

Zelensky also reiterated his warning that if his country were defeated, “other states would be attacked.”

The US has been Kiev's main military supporter since the Russian invasion in February 2022. But since last year, Republicans in Congress have been blocking a new Ukraine aid package worth $60 billion (around 55 billion euros) under pressure from former US President Donald Trump, who wants to run for re-election in November. The US Congress meets on Monday for its first session after the spring break.

On the battlefield, the Ukrainian army says it is under massive pressure from Russian invasion troops. The situation near the city of Chasiv Yar, which has been hotly contested for weeks, is "quite difficult and tense," said the spokesman for the 26th Artillery Brigade, Oleh Kalashnikov, on Ukrainian television on Sunday.

According to brigade spokesman Kalashnikov, the army around Chassiv Yar has so far managed to push back all Russian attacks and Moscow's troops are "in retreat." The Russian enemy is trying to attack the surrounding towns of Bohdanivka and Ivanivske directly and at the same time carry out offensive actions between these two towns.

Chasiv Yar, located in the Donetsk region, appears to be the next big target for Moscow's army. The strategically important small town is located a few kilometers west of Bakhmut, which Russia captured last May after months of fierce fighting.

muk/AFP