CIA Director William Burns warned of the consequences in the absence of U.S. assistance, warning that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could find themselves in a bad position on the battlefield.
According to him, this would allow Putin to dictate the terms of conflict resolution. The Wall Street Journal reports.
Also, the CIA director noted that the AFU has the resources to hold its ground and strike Russian air and sea forces.
Celeste Wallander, the US assistant secretary of defense, is also confident that the new arms deliveries will have an impact on the course of hostilities. There is a prioritized action plan in place, she said, and the arms shipments were only awaiting funding.
Wallander emphasized that the strengthening of the AFU had become a necessity and noted that the new U.S. assistance would complicate the occupants' attacks. She noted that the U.S. experience in delivering large amounts of military equipment will help speed up deliveries.
The aid may have another, less obvious, but potentially important impact, the journalists said. It could boost the morale of Ukrainians. In recent weeks, the AFU has used improvised methods of attack, targeting Russian armored vehicles and troops with UAVs equipped with explosive devices.
The increased ammunition will allow Ukraine to more effectively use artillery, which is more destructive and able to deter the enemy at greater distances where it poses less of a threat to infantry.
