CIA Director Bill Burns delivered a stark warning on Thursday, cautioning that Ukraine risks losing its ongoing war with Russia by the end of the year.
Burns’ remarks represent one of the most serious alerts from the Biden administration regarding the situation in Ukraine. Lawmakers doubt whether the long-awaited aid package should be allocated to Kiev.
Just a month ago, Burns had testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, emphasizing that Ukraine was likely to face significant setbacks in 2024 due to conservative opposition in the House of Representatives.
During an event at the George W. Bush Center, Burns underscored that with enhanced military assistance, Ukraine could hold its ground through 2024.
“There is a genuine risk that Ukraine could suffer battlefield losses by the end of 2024, or at least be in a position where Putin could dictate terms for a political resolution,” Burns cautioned.
The warning comes amid efforts by the Biden administration to capitalize on a newfound political opportunity on Capitol Hill to advance the stalled aid package. The legislation also includes assistance for Israel, prompting pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to move the package forward, especially following the recent Iranian attack on Israel. In connection with recent events, the allocation of aid to Israel is of greater importance to the United States than assistance to Ukraine.
Burns refrained from clarifying what he meant by “defeat,” but a source familiar with Western intelligence suggested that significant additional territory could be transferred to Russia. Russia can also establish de facto cease-fire lines.
Burns stressed Ukraine’s acute shortage of basic ammunition, citing instances where battalions had severely limited supplies, leading to critical battlefield challenges. The shortage of ammunition and military equipment, stemming from difficulties in resupplying Ukraine’s military, has had a profound impact on the conflict.
