On February 14th, the US warned of ammunition shortages on the Ukrainian front lines. In other news, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) estimated that 18 out of 31 member states would meet their defense spending targets this year.
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| There are increasing reports of Ukrainian troops being cut in food rations and running out of ammunition on the front lines. (Source: AFP) |
Speaking at a White House press conference, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the Ukrainian military was beginning to run out of ammunition, and he also mentioned the freeze on Washington's aid package to Kyiv due to obstruction by Republicans in the House of Representatives.
Therefore, Sullivan urged the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives to follow the Senate's lead and quickly pass a multi-billion dollar aid package for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Mr. Sullivan emphasized: “We cannot wait any longer. Every day is more harm to the Ukrainian people and to the national security interests of the United States. The risks are increasing. The cost of inaction is also increasing. We are receiving more and more reports of Ukrainian troops being cut in rations, or even running out of ammunition on the front lines.”
At the same time, the US National Security Advisor also emphasized that both US allies and adversaries are "closely monitoring this development."
Earlier, on February 13, US President Joe Biden delivered a televised speech urging Republican members of the House of Representatives to pass a bill on aid for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on February 14, Ukraine's new army commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, also acknowledged the extremely difficult situation on the front lines due to delays in US military aid.
In other news, speaking to reporters ahead of the NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels on February 14, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced new estimates showing that the number of member states meeting the 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) defense spending target is expected to increase from 11 in 2023 to 18 in 2024. This means that 18 out of 31 NATO member states will meet their defense spending target this year.
According to Stoltenberg, this is a record number and a sixfold increase compared to 2014 when only three members met this defense spending target.
The NATO Secretary General stated that European allies and Canada will add more than $600 billion to defense spending since setting a target of 2% of GDP on defense a decade ago. Stoltenberg said that amid the escalating conflict in Ukraine, European and Canadian members increased their spending by an unprecedented 11% last year.
Commenting on this information, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller affirmed the importance of increasing the number of members meeting military spending targets. He urged other nations to take the necessary steps toward this goal.
According to the plan, NATO defense ministers will meet in Brussels on February 15th to discuss strengthening Europe's defense capabilities. Besides defense spending, support for Ukraine will also be on the agenda.
(according to DPA, AFP)
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