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Military operation in Ukraine

Kiev official says Ukraine approaching 'critical moment'

According to Andrey Yermak, Ukrainian forces "still critically need additional air defense systems" and Patriot surface-to-air missiles

MOSCOW, April 5. /TASS/. Ukraine is approaching a critical moment amid ammunition shortages and US discussions of another military aid package, Andrey Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, said.

"I very much hope that it [a Ukraine aid package bill] is passed this month because Ukraine is approaching a critical moment," he told Politico.

According to Yermak, Ukrainian forces "still critically need additional air defense systems" and Patriot surface-to-air missiles.

"But once again, the problem for us is of the time," the Kiev official noted. "I'd like to emphasize that it's a critical moment now. It's very important the package is approved this month," he added.

Earlier, the administration of US President Joe Biden sent a request to Congress for additional budgetary appropriations in the 2024 US fiscal year, which began on October 1. Biden’s priority, above all, is to provide aid to Israel and Ukraine, as well as to counteract China and Russia in the Asia-Pacific region. Overall, the Democrats, led by the Biden White House, would like to allocate a total combined aid package worth about $106 bln. The fate of the funding request and alternative bills remains unclear at this point. A number of Republicans in the House and Senate spoke out against further financial aid for Kiev.

The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly pointed to the ammunition shortages that the country’s army is facing. Kiev has asked its allies to increase and step up weapons supplies. Ukraine’s Western partners, however, admit that they are unable to meet all of Kiev’s needs for ammunition.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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