In a tumultuous time for Ukraine, President Biden's supporters, along with former U.S. officials, are expressing frustration and confusion over the White House's strategies towards the country. There are growing divisions within the administration regarding how to balance politics with long-term support for Kyiv.

The White House recently rejected proposals that would give NATO and Western allies a greater leadership role in the ongoing conflict. This comes amidst a delay in U.S. aid to fight against Russian troops, which has been stalled for months in Congress.

Former U.S. ambassador to NATO, Ivo Daalder, acknowledged the disagreement within the U.S. government, stating that he could not predict the outcome. The coming weeks could prove decisive, as House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to bring a new Ukraine aid package to the floor. However, it remains unclear how robust the package will be and whether Johnson can navigate opposition from fellow Republicans.

If the aid package fails to meet Democratic demands or falls short, President Biden may face mounting pressure to embrace a less U.S.-centric coalition to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Daalder, along with former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Karen Donfried, proposed in an article in Foreign Affairs that NATO should take over the U.S.-led Ramstein group, responsible for coordinating weapons deliveries to Kyiv. They also called for greater clarity and concrete actions regarding Ukraine's potential accession to NATO.

The situation for Ukraine is desperate, with U.S. military officials revealing that Ukrainians have been rationing artillery due to a lack of American support. The Russians have been successful in inflicting long-term damage to Ukrainian energy infrastructure, partly because Kyiv is running out of U.S.-supplied air defenses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pleading with partners to honor their commitments, emphasizing the daily pressure Ukrainian soldiers face on the frontline.

Donfried and Daalder are urging Congress to promptly deliver Biden's requested aid for Ukraine while pressuring the administration to secure Ukraine's future. This includes clarifying the language surrounding Ukraine's potential NATO membership and considering supplying Kyiv with weapons that are currently off the table.

Although the United Kingdom and France have already sent long-range missiles to Ukraine, the Biden administration has maintained opposition to sending its ATACMS missiles, citing concerns over triggering escalation from Moscow. Donfried argues that the time is right for the administration to lean further forward and join other allies in supporting Ukraine.

While the White House's path forward on Ukraine remains unclear, confusion has heightened anxiety among Kyiv and its supporters. The administration's criticism of Ukraine for targeting Russian oil refineries has added to the perplexity. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander have both raised concerns over hitting Russian oil refineries, impacting oil prices and defining them as legitimate military targets.

The White House's stance on Ukraine presents a complex challenge, as political considerations clash with the urgent need to support Kyiv in its struggle against Russian aggression. The next steps taken by the Biden administration will be closely watched, with the hope that they will provide clarity and concrete actions to alleviate the mounting tensions in Ukraine.