The administration’s backing could risk further alienating some House conservatives who have come out against the measure.
The White House has warned for months that Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory was compromised without more U.S. aid. But a bleak first-person evaluation provided last week by Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the top U.S. commander in Europe and NATO, ratcheted concerns within the administration to new levels.
“All signs are blinking red right now, and I think the White House is really concerned about where things are headed,” said one foreign policy expert in touch with the White House, granted anonymity to provide a candid assessment.
Biden has repeatedly stressed the need for the House to approve aid to Ukraine by the end of the week, amid fears that the nation is running out of munitions needed for its air defense ahead of a potential major Russian offensive early on in the summer.
In particular, one worry expressed by Ukrainians in recent days is that Russia will take advantage of the country’s flagging air defense to target energy infrastructure — crippling the power grid, grinding its defense industry to a halt and tanking the overall economy.
Read the full story in Politico.
