Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, today, on March 28, held a conversation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, General Charles Brown, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It is noted that Brown has been closely monitoring the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
"During the conversation, the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the coming months were discussed," the statement said.
The question of necessary assistance from the United States to Ukraine was also discussed, including strengthening defense against Russian missile and bomb attacks, the development of fortifications, and strategic issues for the perspective of 2024.
"Strengthening the Ukrainian military is a long-term strategic interest not only of the United States but also NATO partners and allies," General Brown stated.
Problems with US financial assistance for Ukraine
Following the failure of the vote on Joe Biden's $106 billion bill to aid Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, a new bill was drafted in early February of this year to provide assistance to the three countries totaling $96 billion, but without provisions for the comprehensive defense of the southern border of the United States with Mexico. More than $60 billion is allocated for Ukraine's needs in this bill.
On February 13th, the Senate approved this document. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson deliberately refuses to bring the bill to a vote, delaying the provision of military assistance to Ukraine.
Instead, Johnson has begun discussing a compromise version of the bill with congressmen. In this version, Ukraine is proposed to receive much less funding - only $47.69 billion. Additionally, Johnson hinted that the House of Representatives is willing to unblock assistance to Ukraine, but it will not be provided by the US for free, but rather through a loan or financing program.
For more information on how former US President Donald Trump is blocking assistance to Ukraine and why Biden's administration is struggling to find a solution, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.
