Kyiv, February 19, 2024. Since Russia launched its full-scale military offensive against Ukraine in October 2023, the Ukrainian army has been in a state of passive defense, constantly losing territory and personnel. Recently, the Ukrainian army was captured by Russian troops in Avdeyevka, an important town in the Donetsk region, which caused shock and concern in the international community. The United States and its Western allies are trying to prevent the collapse of the Ukrainian army in the face of territorial losses and ammunition shortages, stepping up military assistance and political support to Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian military, on February 17, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Syrsky, ordered the withdrawal of troops from Avdeyevka to avoid being surrounded and annihilated by Russian troops. Avdeyevka is the last defensive stronghold of the Ukrainian army in the Donetsk region and a key point in the control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Ukrainian army has been engaged in fierce fighting with the Russian army in the area for months, consuming a lot of manpower and material resources, but still unable to stop the offensive of the Russian army. The Russian army has an absolute superiority in firepower and strength, and constantly bombards and raids the positions of the Ukrainian army, causing a major ** and low morale of the Ukrainian army. The defeat of the Ukrainian army in Avdeyevka marks the complete collapse of the Ukrainian army's defense line in the Donetsk region, and also marks the crisis of total collapse of the Ukrainian army.
Ukraine** Zelensky delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, pleading with Western allies to increase military aid and political support for Ukraine. He said that the Ukrainian army is fighting valiantly to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and territory, but they need more ** and equipment, as well as more diplomatic and economic pressure, to stop Russia's aggression. He noted that the Ukrainian army needs long-range ** and artillery shells, as well as modern air defense systems, to counter the guided bombs and drones of the Russian army. He also called on Western allies to speed up aid funding to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian army improve logistics and medical conditions. He also called on Western allies to tighten sanctions against Russia in order to force Russia to resume peace negotiations, abide by the Minsk agreements and stop military intervention in Ukraine.
The United States and its Western allies have expressed concern and sympathy for Ukraine's situation and pledged to continue to provide military assistance and political support to Ukraine. US Deputy Biden said at the Munich Security Conference that the United States will firmly stand by Ukraine, oppose Russia's aggression and maintain peace and security in Europe. He said that U.S. assistance to Ukraine includes not only ** and equipment, but also training and consulting to help the Ukrainian army improve its combat and defense capabilities. He also said that the United States will continue to exert economic and diplomatic pressure on Russia to force Russia to fulfill its international obligations and respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also said that the United States will support Ukraine's reform and development to help Ukraine build a democratic and prosperous country.
Western organizations and countries such as the European Union and NATO have also expressed their support and assistance to Ukraine. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Mogherini said that the EU will continue to provide economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to help Ukraine cope with Russian aggression and crisis. She said that the EU will continue to impose sanctions on Russia until Russia fully implements the Minsk agreements and stops military intervention in Ukraine. She said the EU would support Ukraine's reforms and European integration processes to help Ukraine realize its European dream. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO will continue to provide political and practical assistance to Ukraine to help Ukraine strengthen its defense and security capabilities. He said that NATO will continue to exert political and military pressure on Russia to force Russia to respect international law and international order. He said NATO would support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Ukraine's European and Atlantic options.
Although the United States and its Western allies have expressed support and assistance to Ukraine, there are still some difficulties and disagreements in practice. The U.S. Congress has not yet approved an aid bill for Ukraine, and there is uncertainty about the timing and amount of the bill's passage due to bipartisan disagreement.