Ukraine risks defeat by Russia unless US Congress approves aid, Zelensky warns

Ukraine will lose the war against Russia if its armed forces are not supported by the United States, President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned in a damning speech regarding the current state of the conflict.

The Ukrainian President also predicted that if his country fell, other countries would be at risk, and urged the US Congress to approve more military aid for Ukraine.

"If the Congress doesn't help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war," Mr Zelensky said during a video meeting with Ukrainian fundraising group United24.

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"If Ukraine loses this war, other countries will be attacked. This is a fact," he said.

"We understand when the Russians could start counteroffensive actions… it is critical to receive the necessary weaponry being in low supply.

"Without this money, we cannot obtain such volumes.

"And I still believe that we will be able to achieve a positive vote from the US Congress."

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is visiting Washington DC, where he will discuss the situation in Ukraine.

He will urge the United States to provide additional funding for the country, giving the Ukrainians "the tools they need to win its war".

Lord Cameron will call on Congress to provide the extra $60bn (£47.5bn) in supplementary funding that has so far been blocked by the Republicans.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, more than $184bn (£145bn) has been committed by European countries, with £12bn being donated by the UK.

In addition, nearly $74bn (£59bn) was committed by the US Congress, although President Joe Biden's latest package has stalled.

Lord Cameron said: "US support for Ukraine has massively degraded the military capacity of a common adversary.

"Russia has lost half of its pre-invasion land combat power and a quarter of its original Black Sea fleet, while creating jobs at home and strengthening the Western alliance and Nato.

"Success for Ukraine and failure for Putin are vital for American and European security.

"This will show that borders matter, that aggression doesn't pay and that countries like Ukraine are free to choose their own future.

"The alternative would only encourage Putin in further attempts to re-draw European borders by force, and would be heard clearly in Beijing, Tehran and North Korea."