The chief of staff of the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Tuesday that the postponement of US aid to Kiev to be debated in Congress would create a “great risk” for Ukraine to lose the war with Russia.

Andriy Yermak’s remarks were among the most direct yet from a senior Kiev official as uncertainty looms over the future of vital US and European Union aid packages as Ukraine’s war with Russia rages on without visible end.

“If the aid that is now being discussed in Congress is simply postponed … there is a great danger that we will find ourselves in the same positions as we are now,” he told the audience in English.

“And of course, it makes this very high possibility impossible for the release to continue and creates the great risk of losing this war.”

White House officials said yesterday that the United States has little time to approve funding to help Ukraine continue its war against Russia.

US President Joe Biden’s administration asked Congress in October for nearly $106 billion to fund ambitious plans for Ukraine, Israel and US border security, but Republicans who control a slim majority of the House of Representatives rejected the package .

US officials hope they can still approve a major package.

Germak singled out the threat as a problem that there will no longer be direct budgetary support.

“Of course, without this immediate fiscal support, it will be difficult to stay … in the same positions and for people to really survive … during the situation where the war will continue,” he said.

“That is why it is extremely critical that this support is voted on and voted on as soon as possible.”

Germak made the remarks during his second visit to Washington in a few weeks. He said he intended to press lawmakers and administration officials on the critical importance of getting the new aid package passed by Congress.