In a stark warning, CIA Director Bill Burns expressed concern that Ukraine could potentially "lose" the war against Russia by the end of the year if the United States does not provide more military assistance. The comments by Burns highlight the urgency of the situation and mark one of the strongest statements to date from the Biden administration regarding the critical nature of supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

Burns had previously cautioned in a testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee that without additional support, Ukraine is likely to face significant losses in 2024. However, during an appearance at the George W. Bush Center, he emphasized that, with adequate military assistance, Ukraine has the capability to withstand Russian aggression until 2024.

The dire consequences of a lack of supplemental assistance were highlighted by Burns, who warned that there is a real risk of Ukraine losing on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or being forced to accept Putin's terms in a political settlement. The CIA Director did not provide specific details about the definition of "lose," but sources familiar with Western intelligence suggested that even if Ukraine is not overran entirely, a significant loss of territory and a de facto ceasefire could still be deemed as a loss.

The Biden administration is currently aiming to seize a political opportunity on Capitol Hill to push for the passage of a long-pending aid package for Ukraine. The legislation, which also includes aid for Israel, has been divided into separate bills to appease the divided factions within the GOP. The Ukraine aid portion is expected to face a vote on Saturday night.

Burns shed light on the dire situation faced by Ukraine's military, emphasizing the urgent need for basic ammunition. He highlighted the plight of two battalions, each with over 2,000 soldiers, that had a mere 15 artillery rounds and 42 mortar rounds respectively. These insufficient supplies have had a devastating impact on the battlefield, as evidenced by the recent loss of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka to Russian advances.

The shortage of ammunition and military equipment faced by Ukraine, compounded by the struggles of the US and its allies in resupplying the country's military, has resulted in an increasingly dire situation on the ground.

As Congress debates the aid package, the urgency of providing Ukraine with the necessary support to counter Russian aggression becomes increasingly apparent. The outcome of the vote on Saturday night will be closely watched to determine the level of support that the US is willing to provide to its ally in this critical conflict.