The White House is preparing for new challenges caused by the appearance of the majority of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives, promising to limit funding for Kyiv, as well as the onset of winter in Ukraine and the corresponding changes on the front. POLITICO writes about this.

While Ukraine's success in repelling a brutal Russian invasion continues on both sides of the Atlantic. In the tenth month of hostilities, Ukraine continues to hold out, but as temperatures drop in Eastern Europe, there are new tests for the Biden administration both at home and abroad..

The White House has been talking non-publicly about slowing down funding for Ukraine by Congress for several months.. However, the administration is trying to secure the help Ukraine needs to get through the winter, despite Russian attacks on the power grid that have plunged much of the country into darkness and left millions of war-weary residents without heat and light..

The administration is now relying on the passage by Congress of significant funding for Ukraine, which is included in the general spending bill now being discussed..

The White House is relying on some allies: moderate Republicans in the House of Representatives, who have spoken out in favor of supporting funding, as well as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has steadfastly supported aid to Kyiv.. The administration and Pentagon leaders have been quietly rapprochement with members of the Republican Party in recent weeks to keep that momentum going despite pressure from some of the faction's far-right wing..

“We want to make sure that they are able to defend themselves and overcome what is the most ugly aggression that has taken place since the Second World War on a global scale by Putin. There's a lot at stake,"

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, keen to muster enough support to become Speaker, said in October that Ukraine would no longer receive a " And while he has since retracted his words, McCarthy may be influenced by some lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, who vowed "

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However, money is not the only thing the administration will send to Ukraine..

The Pentagon has stepped up preparations to arm Kyiv, finalizing plans to transfer the Patriot missile defense system, which should significantly increase Ukraine's ability to defend against attacks from the sky, including missiles and attack drones..

The Ministry of Defense is also considering sending other weapons, such as systems that will turn unguided airborne munitions into smart bombs, as well as explosives that will greatly expand Ukraine's strike radius.. Also, according to officials, discussions are underway to intensify the training of the Ukrainian military at the US base in Germany..

Biden has no plans to visit Kyiv, mainly due to security risks, several White House officials say.. However, last week he had another conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who urged his American counterpart to continue delivering air defense systems..

There is growing concern in the capitals of both countries about what lies ahead in the next phase of the war..

The Ukrainian counter-offensive, launched successfully in late summer, stalled on both the southern and eastern fronts, allowing Russian troops to dig in.. Cold weather slowed down the fighting, which escalated into World War I-style trench warfare.. This week, military officials warned that recent movements of Russian troops and tanks could signal a new massive attack in the coming weeks, possibly even towards Kyiv..

His war machine forced to slow down, Putin moved to long-range strikes and drones to destroy half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing regular power outages for millions of Ukrainians. With the onset of severe cold, many of them may decide to leave Ukraine, seeking refuge in neighboring countries and putting even more strain on their economies..

So far, Biden has received high marks for resurrecting NATO and holding the transatlantic alliance against Putin.. Representatives of the White House have so far been pleasantly surprised by the unity of Europe. However, they understand that over the next few difficult months, Biden's job will become more difficult..

Although the Western Alliance continues to side with Kyiv, it is under strain due to the energy crisis and fears of a recession..

Biden urged Western leaders to pledge to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes,” but another wave of Ukrainian refugees would further test the continent’s resources. Europe's energy crisis has resulted in massive cuts, and Europe, with inflation at 11 percent, could be on the brink of recession.

Overseas from fighting, the United States has a stronger economy, which means more patience. Biden has repeatedly said he will not pressure Zelensky to conclude an agreement to end the war, and the Ukrainian president has promised not to negotiate with Putin until all the lands seized by Russia are returned..

But with no end in sight to the war, Zelenskiy's mood is starting to irritate European leaders.. White House officials believe Biden will need to persuade European leaders to stay the course, primarily because of the intensifying attacks on civilians..

“With the onset of winter, Russia is again trying to instill fear in the hearts of the Ukrainian people and make their lives as unbearable as possible.. However, we will be relentless in helping Ukraine defend itself,” John Kirby, National Security Council strategic communications coordinator, said Friday..

For Putin, Kyiv remains that coveted prize, the capture of which will make him feel like a winner in his global war against the West.. And in order to achieve this goal, he is ready to fight for at least a few years, despite the losses. Will there be a second offensive of Russian troops on Kyiv? Read about the plans of the Russian leadership and the place of Lukashenka and Belarus in them in the article by Vladimir Kravchenko “Putin wants Kyiv again: will there be an offensive from Belarus?