European Union leaders have agreed to boost military assistance to Ukraine in the face of a sustained onslaught by Russian forces, even as United States lawmakers remain deadlocked on the passage of a new aid package for Kyiv.
However, the EU leaders failed to reach an agreement on a permanent and far more ambitious programme of financing the Ukrainian military just as Moscow announced plans to boost the size of its forces on Ukrainian territory.
"The leaders stressed that the EU and its member states should speed up and intensify the delivery of all the necessary military assistance... for Ukraine, which will enable the provision of one million rounds of artillery ammunition," reads a March 21 communique issued after a summit in Brussels.
Ukraine is facing an acute ammunition shortage, primarily caused by the failure of the US Congress to approve further funding for military assistance.
President Joe Biden's US$60 billion (S$81 billion) aid package has been held up in the House of Representatives for months by stiff opposition from Republican lawmakers, egged on by Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate in this year's presidential election.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan continues to claim that his administration will somehow get the military aid deal approved. "We are confident we will get this done. We will get this aid to Ukraine," he told a press conference in Kyiv on March 20, at the end of his latest visit to Ukraine.
Esta historia es de la edición March 23, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 23, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
HARD-EARNED WIN FOR MAX
Verstappen pushes flat out’ to hold off Norris at Imola for fifth victory of season
FLYING NEMO THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Pacific Vampire toothless at 3rd start, bubble burst by 281 shot
Generative Al falling short of promise to transform businesses
Enterprises underestimated what they needed, and overrated its business impact: Observers
China’s housing crash could set back millions of promising careers
HONG KONG - Ms Ivy Zhang figured she had it made.
Ever looked yourself up on a chatbot? Meta AI accused me of a workplace scandal
It has been more than a year since ChatGPT launched into the mainstream, but chatbots have not stopped lying.
600 among 25,000 who eraduated from polysabove age of 40
MOE hopes to see greater training participation in this age group after SkillsFuture top-up
Few early adopters seek repositioning of ERP 2.0 units to driver's footwell
Fleet operators say they have no plans to relocate units, citing absence of driver complaints
Plans to redevelop Bedok Stadium being studied
Public feedback invited with more diverse community, sport offerings on the agenda
Israeli opposition leader Gantz threatens to quit war Cabinet
He wants Netanyahu to offer plan to bring back hostages, end Hamas’ rule in Gaza
French forces act to take control of key road in New Caledonia
Territory has been convulsed by violence since May 13; factors include economic woes