Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns

What happened

The top U.S. commander in Europe, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, told a House panel Wednesday that Ukraine is at serious risk of losing its country to Russia unless the U.S. resumes providing Kyiv with two critical tools: artillery shells and interceptor missiles.

Who said what

Ukraine is "now being outshot by the Russian side five to one," and "that will immediately go to 10 to one in a matter of weeks," Cavoli said. "The side that can't shoot back loses."

The commentary

"If Kyiv falls, it could imperil Ukraine's Baltic NATO member neighbors and potentially drag U.S. troops into a prolonged European war," The Associated Press said. Cavoli's warning was the latest "sobering assessment" of the dangers of House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) six-month blockade of $60 billion for Ukraine, The New York Times said.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

What next?

Johnson said lawmakers are "actively" discussing "a path forward" on Ukraine aid. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said she knows Johnson is "at risk of losing his job" from hard-right Republicans if he brings it up for a vote, "but that's what leadership is — it's the big boy pants and making tough choices."