War in Ukraine. CIA chief: Ukraine may lose this year if it does not receive weapons from the US

The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) warned that if the US does not transfer weapons to Ukraine, it may lose the war with Russia before the end of 2024, and at least – he added – Putin “may be in a situation where he will be able to dictate the terms of a political agreement.” “.

– I think that with the support that American military aid would bring – both in practical and psychological terms – the Ukrainians will be able to maintain their positions in 2024. Without this additional aid, however, the picture of the war is much more dire, Burns warned on Thursday during a speech at the George Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. The statement of the head of the CIA was quoted by CNN.

In Burns' assessment, the risk that Ukraine could lose the war without American support is “very real.”

The head of the intelligence agency did not specify what a Ukrainian defeat would be, but it can be assumed that it would mean Russia taking over vast territories of Ukraine and then effectively “freezing” the conflict on the current front line – similarly to the Russian annexation of Crimea and its seizure by Russia. large parts of Donbas in 2014 – we read on CNN.

– The Ukrainians were overwhelmed, but it was not due to a lack of courage or determination on their part. I'm afraid that without additional US help we will see in the future more Avdiivka – admitted Burns.

US President Joe Biden supported a package of three support bills on Wednesday Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific, introduced by Republicans in the House of Representatives. He appealed to both houses of Congress to quickly proceed with these projects and announced that he would sign them immediately. Washington would allocate $60.8 billion to support Ukraine.

– Without the help of the United States, and especially without the Congress deciding to provide us with military support, it will be difficult for Ukraine not only to win the war, but even to survive as a country – admitted the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, on April 7 during a video conference with ambassadors of countries belonging to the United24 platform. It was the most alarmist and pessimistic statement by the Ukrainian leader since February 2022, i.e. the beginning of Russian aggression.