United States President Joe Biden has assured President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the $60 billion support in Ukraine’s war with Russia.
The development is coming amidst Zelenskyy’s appeal for support as a commitment to his country’s war with Vladimir Putin continues to wane off.
Although the US’ support is yet to receive final vote from Congress, President Biden has confidently told Zelenskyy that the support would be approved.
The Ukraine president had earlier called for more weaponry urgently to prevent a “catastrophic” situation in Europe.
The United States has attributed Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Avdiivka war to a lack of congressional backing.
The capture of Avdiivka, which serves as a gateway to the eastern Donetsk regional capital, is Russia’s first significant victory since they took control of the neighboring Bakhmut in May.
“Ukraine’s military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction,” a White House statement said.
After months of political haggling, the US Senate earlier this week authorised a $95 billion (£75 billion) package of international aid, of which $60 billion is for Ukraine.
The proposal is however still under fierce debate in the House of Representatives due to disagreements among Republican members.
“Look, the Ukrainian people have fought so bravely and heroically, they’ve put so much on the line and the idea that now, when they’re running out of ammunition, we’d walk away – I find it absurd,” President Biden told reporters after his call with President Zelenskyy on Saturday.
“I find it unethical, I find it just contrary to everything we are as a country”, he lamented. “So I’m going to fight until we get them the ammunition they need and the capacity they need to defend themselves.”
The Ukrainian president also appealed to US lawmakers to approve the financial aid.
“I am glad that I can count on the full support of the American president,” he said in a Telegram post.