Russia’s war in Ukraine

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a warning Sunday about the need to supply more aid to Ukraine and vowed not to “abandon” the European ally.

Speaking after returning from a trip to Ukraine, Schumer said this year is a “crucial moment in the history of the world,” adding that a Ukrainian loss to Russia would also be “devastating in consequences for the US.”

“This is a turning point, an inflection point as to the United States’ ability to project itself — our strengths, our powers, our abilities — in the world,” he said. “When we went there, we told the Ukrainian people: America will not abandon you.”

Key areas of need: The Senate leader addressed some key areas where Ukraine needed more supplies, including artillery shells, more weapons to disrupt Russian supply networks, and more anti-aircraft weaponry.

Schumer provided a few examples of ways that Ukraine is struggling to wage its war, including that he met a Ukrainian drone operator who was able to identify Russian artillery, but no longer had the ammunition to destroy it.

Schumer also said Russian forces could fire their artillery much longer than Ukrainian artillery could fire back.

“The Russians can stand further back, hit the Ukrainians, and the Ukrainians can’t hit them back,” he said.

Remember: US House Speaker Mike Johnson is under increasing pressure to bring Ukraine aid up for a vote, after Schumer and the Senate passed a package that would provide over $60 billion in assistance. He has so far resisted calls to do so, however, at risk of a likely revolt from members of his own party.