Sullivan in Ukraine in secret trip amid US aid deadlock
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Sullivan's visit coincides with Ukraine's forces facing major setbacks, including losing the city of Avdiivka.
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US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2023. (AFP)
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan undertook a covert journey to Ukraine on Wednesday to reaffirm US support for the country amid a stalemate in Congress over additional funding for the war effort.
Sullivan's visit coincided with Ukraine's forces facing setbacks, including retreating from the city of Avdiivka and confronting Russian advancements.
Kiev is grappling with persistent shortages of ammunition and troops, while US House lawmakers deliberate on a Senate aid package of $60 billion for Ukraine. Despite pressure, House Speaker Mike Johnson has resisted calls for a vote on the measure, prompting the White House to search for alternative means to provide weaponry and equipment to Ukraine.
“You should believe in the United States,” Sullivan told journalists in a briefing at Ukraine’s presidential office in Kiev. “We are confident we will get this done. We will get this aid to Ukraine.”
While on his journey, Sullivan reportedly aims to bolster support for a war effort that President Biden had envisioned campaigning on. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have cautioned that morale is diminishing as the war enters its third year.
“He’s there to underscore our commitment to Ukraine and to reaffirm that we’re committed to sticking with them for the long haul,” as per a US official who requested anonymity to discuss Sullivan's trip during wartime.
A group of Republicans in Congress have delayed additional funding for Ukraine, criticizing the administration for not outlining a clear strategy for victory and arguing that the billions of dollars already spent have only resulted in a stalemate. However, this argument overlooks the fact that without assistance from the United States and other Western nations, Russia could have likely captured Kiev and overthrown President Volodymyr Zelensky's government in early 2022.
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The White House maintains that despite significant territorial and personnel losses, Ukraine remains independent, a status that has enabled it to attain candidate status for the European Union, thanks to ongoing Western support for its frontline troops.
On Wednesday, Sullivan underscored the importance of Ukraine transitioning into a flourishing and prosperous democracy post-war.
“We are going to work every day to make that happen,” he said. “There’s a critical military dimension to that, meaning providing the necessary support, supplies and weapons.”
“We will get a strong bipartisan vote in the House for an assistance package for Ukraine, and we will get that money out the door as we should, so I don’t think we need to speak today about Plan B,” Sullivan said in Kiev. “The timing has already taken too long … We are working to get it done as soon as possible.”
Sullivan aims to emphasize that Russia's war in Ukraine has “been a complete blunder” for President Vladimir Putin, claimed the official familiar with his plans while in Kiev. “Ukraine is far surpassing what many predicted and we need to stick with them,” the official added.
On Wednesday, Sullivan reiterated that point by stating, “Russia has already failed in this war.”
The visit will reportedly provide Sullivan with an opportunity to engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and deliberate on Ukraine's future direction, as stated by the official.
Sullivan addressed reporters on Wednesday alongside Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's top aide and head of the presidential office. Sullivan's endeavor to uplift morale comes in the aftermath of a meeting held in Germany on Tuesday among Ukraine's military supporters.
During the meeting, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cautioned that Ukraine's existence was at risk and emphasized that ongoing US aid was a matter of "honor" for Washington.
“Ukraine won’t back down, and neither will the United States,” said Austin.
“So our message today is clear: The United States will not let Ukraine fail. This coalition will not let Ukraine fail. And the free world will not let Ukraine fail,” he further stressed.
Instead of receiving new funding from Congress, the Pentagon reportedly introduced a $300 million aid package. This package comprises Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, 155-millimeter artillery rounds, 105-millimeter artillery rounds, anti-armor systems, and various other munitions and equipment. This announcement marked the first of its kind in several weeks and was made feasible by unexpected savings from Defense Department contracts aimed at replenishing arms previously donated to Kiev.
On Wednesday, Sullivan mentioned that Washington is expediting the delivery of supplies to Ukraine. However, he refrained from confirming whether a shipment of long-range ATACMS missiles, supplied by the United States, had already arrived in the country.
Read more: Congress 'looting from its army' to support Ukraine: UnHerd
