Zelensky: Aid delays making life for Ukrainian troops ‘extremely difficult’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky argued delays in military aid make the situation “extremely difficult” on the front lines in Ukraine’s war with Russia.

“The situation is extremely difficult in several parts of the front line, where Russian troops have amassed maximum reserves,” Zelensky said Monday in his nightly address, reporting on his visit to a command post in the Kupiansk sector of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine.

Russians “are taking advantage of the delays in aid to Ukraine,” he added.

Zelensky outlined specific needs and “very tangible issues” that Ukrainian troops face, including a “deficit of artillery” and a need for front-line air defense and longer-range weapons.

“We are working with our partners as hard as possible to resume and extend support. I would like to thank all Ukrainians, all our companies and partners who have already set up production of weapons, shells, drones and electronic warfare — new production that is ramping up,” he said.

“Of course, we still cannot meet all the needs on our own, but every month adds to Ukraine’s strength and capabilities,” the Ukrainian president continued. “I thank everyone who works for this.”

His warning comes as U.S. aid for Ukraine remains stalled in Congress, despite warnings from officials about the dire situation in the region.

The Senate last Tuesday passed a $95 billion emergency defense spending bill, including $60 billion for Ukraine, in a 70-29 vote that got the support of nearly half of the Republican conference.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), however, said he would not put the bill on the floor for a vote, demanding hard-line conservative border policies to be included, and the House now has left for a recess without taking action on Ukraine — which President Biden has criticized the House GOP for repeatedly.

“It’s about time they step up — don’t you think? — instead of going on a two-week vacation,” Biden said Friday. “Two weeks they’re walking away. Two weeks. What are they thinking? My God, this is bizarre.”

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal echoed Zelensky’s call Tuesday, warning of the need for long-range missiles and other ammunition in his country’s war against Russia, The Associated Press reported.

“Unfortunately, now they prevail in the air, and unfortunately this leads to some consequences from the front line, but I should say that we have no refuses from our partners to supply military equipment to Ukraine,” Shmyhal said of Russia, speaking at a news conference the day after he attended a conference in Tokyo on reconstructing Ukraine.