Ukraine’s economy minister says GDP grew by almost 5% this year, Reuters has reported.
In an interview with RIA state news agency and the Rossiya 24 TV channel, Lavrov said some in the west were suggesting Moscow should discuss peace in Ukraine because the United States and its allies had failed to defeat Russian forces in Ukraine.
He added he believed there were signs the west was changing its tactics and strategy on Ukraine.
Lavrov said: The west is really changing its tactics – maybe even thinking about clarifying the strategy. Because if the ‘strategic defeat of Russia’ is a strategy, forgive the tautology, then this strategy failed miserably.
There are some approaches, some whispers: why don’t you [Russia] meet with someone in Europe who would be ready to talk, talk about Ukraine without Ukraine itself.”
US Congress urged to 'act swiftly' on aid to Ukraine
The US Congress should “act swiftly” to renew the flow of aid to Ukraine, the state department has said, after the White House announced what it said was the last remaining package of weapons available under the existing authorization.
“It is imperative that Congress act swiftly, as soon as possible, to advance our national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future,” the State Department said in a statement, adding that the year’s final package included air-defense and artillery munitions.
- The US president, Joe Biden, has made backing Ukraine a priority and US weapons and financial assistance have been crucial in helping the pro-western country battle against a far larger attacking Russian force.
- However, rightwing Republicans have led a push to halt the effort, refusing to authorize new budget outlays if the Democrats don’t first agree to sweeping, tough new measures against illegal migration over the US southern border.
- Democrats in the Senate, where they hold a narrow majority, tried to push Republicans in December for a last-minute deal, but with little progress the two parties left for the end-of-year holidays.
Congress reconvenes on 8 January. . .
- But since the Pentagon has no money to replenish inventory sent to Kyiv, the department will have to “rigorously assess” any future aid and its implications on the U.S. military’s ability to protect America, Garn said.
- This is the 54th tranche of military aid taken from department shelves and sent to Ukraine, and it is similar in size and contents to many of the other recent packages.
- “Once those funds are obligated, we will have exhausted the funding available for us to provide security assistance to Ukraine,” said Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary.
- “We would, again, continue to urge the passage of the supplemental that we’ve submitted. ... It is imperative that we have the funds needed to ensure that they get the most urgent battlefield capabilities that they require.”
- And a day earlier, Ukrainian warplanes damaged a Russian ship moored in the Black Sea off Crimea as soldiers on both sides are struggling to make much progress along the front lines.
The weapons, worth up to $250 million, include an array of air munitions and other missiles, artillery, anti-armor systems, ammunition, demolition and medical equipment and parts.
- The aid, provided through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, will be pulled from Pentagon stockpiles.
As a result, Garn said Wednesday, “Without the supplemental funding, there will be a shortfall in replenishing U.S. military stocks, affecting American military readiness.”
UKRAINE
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A Ukrainian serviceman holds a MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems) "Stinger" anti-aircraft weapon as they scan for possible air targets, onboard a Maritime Guard of the State Border Service of Ukraine boat as it patrols in the northwestern part of the Black Sea on December 18, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This boat is part of Kyiv's strategy aimed at keeping the Russian military fleet away from the Ukrainian coast, with the key mission of securing the corridor set up since August between Ukrainian ports in the Odessa region and the Bosphorus Strait, after Moscow slammed the door on an international grain agreement. (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov / AFP)
The $250 million final package includes air defense
and artillery munitions, among other things,
the State Department said.
The year's final package includes air defense and artillery munitions, the State Department said in a statement.
It added that Congress, where Republicans are split on supporting Ukraine, should “act swiftly” to renew the flow.
President Joe Biden has made backing Ukraine a priority and US weapons and financial assistance have been crucial in helping the pro-Western country battle against a far larger attacking Russian force.
However, far-right Republicans have led a push to halt the effort, refusing to authorize new budget outlays if the Democrats don't first agree to sweeping, tough new measures against illegal migration over the US southern border.
- “air-defense munitions,
- other air-defense system components,
- additional ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems,
- 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition,
- anti-armor munitions, and
- over 15 million rounds of ammunition,” the State Department said.
“It is imperative that Congress act swiftly, as soon as possible, to advance our national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future,” it said.
‘Each of Their Strikes Will Face Retaliation’– War in Ukraine Update for Dec 28
“We're going to need Congress to act without delay,” he said.
- Democrats in the Senate, where they hold a narrow majority, tried to push Republicans in December for a last-minute deal, but with little progress.
- Congress reconvenes on Jan. 8.
- Even then, a deal would have to be approved in the House of Representatives where Republicans – dominated by a far-right faction – hold their own narrow majority.
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U.S. announces $250m military aid package to ukraine before congressional authorization
US announces $ 250 mn military aid package for Ukraine, “the last until Congress authorizes additional funds”
Euromaidan Press (RSS)
- “The latest round of assistance marks the 54th drawdown of military equipment for Ukraine from DOD inventories since August 2021,” the Pentagon reported.
- According to the report, the capabilities in this package include:— — — — — — — — — — DOD notes that the package comes during ongoing negotiations in US...
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