Zelenskyy Says War in Israel Slowed Down Supply of Artillery Shells to Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the shift in focus to the war between Israel and Hamas has slowed down the supply of artillery shells to Ukraine. This undermines the war effort, as the counter-offensive against Russia "grinds to a standstill", Bloomberg writes.

According to the president, the Israeli military needs 155 mm shells, which are also needed to be supplied to Ukraine to repel Russian aggression.

The newspaper notes that the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East has raised questions about the ability of allies to remain focused on supporting Ukraine, where a months-long counter-offensive has failed to regain occupied territories. Low temperatures are now invading the war-torn country.

"Our supplies have been reduced. This is life, and this is normal, because everyone is fighting for survival, and we also have to protect ourselves," Zelensky told reporters.

He assured allies that Ukraine's military was preparing for winter fighting. This week, a delegation from Kyiv visited Washington, where the House of Representatives passed a funding bill without aid for Ukraine.

"Now I am focused on getting help from the West. Their focus is shifting because of the Middle East and other reasons. Without support, we will move backwards," Zelenskyy said.

US authorities have signalled that arms deliveries are being disrupted, citing funding delays. This month, the Pentagon said the funding cuts meant limiting military assistance to Kyiv. President Joe Biden's administration has called on Congress to approve a $61.4 billion request for Ukraine.

Biden and European Union leaders have pledged to continue their support with weapons and financial assistance. But the counter-offensive against Russian troops that began in the summer has not brought significant progress, Bloomberg writes.

As you know, the Pentagon has called on the US Congress to approve aid to Ukraine and Israel as soon as possible.

And US President Joe Biden signed a bill to temporarily fund the government to avoid a shutdown, but without additional aid to Ukraine and Israel and other expenditures.

As previously reported by The Gaze, the seventeenth meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in the Ramstein format will take place on 22 November.

The US Secretary of Defence has invited defence ministers and chiefs of general staff from around 50 countries to the meeting to discuss ongoing military support for Ukraine in the short and long term.