U.S. and NATO officials Wednesday reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine’s continued battle against Russia as top humanitarian leaders denounced a wave of missile attacks Ukraine’s president said killed at least five people.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking at NATO headquarters, sounded confident despite the dramatic collapse, Tuesday, of a U.S. Senate deal to fund Ukraine's defense and buttress the southern border of the United States.
In remarks delivered before the bill cratered, U.S. President Joe Biden said the lapse in U.S. support is "just what Putin wants."
But Sullivan said he is hopeful.
"Even in the last 24 hours, you've seen a significant number of Republicans come out and say that no matter what else happens, we need to move forward a package of support for Ukraine," he said. "As President Biden said yesterday, history will record any failure to deliver the type of assistance that's contained in the package that was put forward this week."
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan addresses a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Feb. 7, 2024.
And, he stressed, as have other administration officials: If Washington does not deliver, there is no Plan B.
"At the end of the day, there is no alternative to the United States stepping up to the plate and providing a level of resources that allow Ukraine to have the artillery, the air defense systems and the other capabilities they need," Sullivan said in Brussels. "And time is of the essence in this regard. So we're going to stay focused on that and we believe that we still can and will deliver it."
Those hopeful words come after what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as "another massive Russian air attack against our country,"
"Six regions came under enemy fire," he said on social media. "All of our services are currently working to eliminate the consequences of this terror."
Later in his nightly address, Zelenskyy vowed to “retaliate against Russia” for every missile and drone it launches, while also saying Ukraine will work to bolster its air defenses.
Attacks disrupt essential services
The United Nations' resident coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, said on Wednesday she was "deeply disturbed" by the attacks.
"The attacks have led to a distressing number of civilian casualties and have massively disrupted essential services, including electricity, water and gas supplies, especially in Mykolaiv City and Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, when they are much needed this cold winter," she said in a statement.
"Millions of people rely on these services for heating, cooking and transportation. They are critically important to ensure health and education facilities are functional," she said. "Ukrainians should live without fear of attacks disrupting their lives."
Firefighters help a woman from a building damaged during a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 7, 2024.
Ukraine's military detailed a large wave of Russian attacks that included 20 drones, 36 cruise missiles, five S-300 guided missiles and three ballistic missiles.
The Ukrainian air force said the country's air defenses destroyed 15 of the 20 drones and 29 of the 44 missiles.
Zelenskyy said the Russian attack killed one person in Mykolaiv and destroyed dozens of houses in the city. The city hosts one of the nation's most important Black Sea ports.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram a high-rise building was struck, killing at least four people and injuring more than 30 others.
Local residents react outside a building damaged by a missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 7, 2024.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who is visiting Kyiv, posted on X that he was starting Wednesday in a shelter amid the air alarms.
"This is the daily reality of the brave Ukrainian people, since Russia launched its illegal aggression," Borrell said.
After talks with Zelenskyy, Borrell said the Ukrainian leader “asked for additional ammunition, drones and air defense systems.”
Borrell said his top priority is mobilizing EU military aid for Ukraine.
Russia’s military reported destroying two waves of Ukrainian aerial attacks that included 12 missiles and drones targeting the Belgorod region.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said two people were injured and several apartment buildings were damaged.
Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters