Putin decided to press further, so we will press as well - Wendy Sherman

In the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak held a briefing for the delegation of the United States of America headed by the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. It is devoted to Ukraine's opposition to the full-scale invasion of Russia, the press service of the President of Ukraine informs.

The briefing was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrenergo National Energy Company Volodymyr Kudrytskyi and representatives of the military command.

During the briefing, the representatives of the Ukrainian intelligence and commanders of the operational areas informed the U.S. delegation about the current situation at the front and the needs of the defense forces.

They also heard reports on the work of air defense on repulsing the missile attacks of the aggressor state and the consequences of missile attacks during the New Year holidays and on January 14. Separately, the participants considered the restoration of damaged energy facilities and measures taken to protect them from Russian air attacks.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal noted that key challenges related to Russia's aggression had been discussed with the delegation of high-ranking U.S. officials headed by Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.

We focused on the support of people affected by the war, the restoration of energy after the shelling and financial support.

Wendy Sherman also talked to journalists, the Ukrinform reported.

She informed that her delegation together with Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Colin Kahl and Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer had arrived in Ukraine today after visiting Germany and Poland.

"Above all, we wanted to look at the situation independently and hear from President Zelenskyy, other high-ranking officials, and Ukrainian citizens on the ground what Ukraine needs now, what is needed to ensure security and protection, what will be the best support for the energy industry and humanitarian needs," Sherman said.

The U.S. Under Secretary of State also announced that the possible declaration of martial law and further mobilization in Russia was also a topic of discussion.

In addition, the Under Secretary of State noted that the U.S., NATO and partners remain united and are delivering on their pledges of assistance. In particular, Sherman recalled the allocation of more than $25 billion in security assistance and the adoption of another $45 billion aid package by the US Congress in December.

"Putin decided to press further, so we will press as well," the US official concluded.

She also claims the United States is convinced that Putin can’t cope with the rapid training and equipping of 500 thousand mobilized, but Washington is focused on tactics to counter this.

"The mobilization of 500,000 is an incredible thing. You are, of course, interested in whether it will be possible to prepare and provide the necessary number of people under such conditions. I suspect that if Putin mobilizes such a number of troops, neither of these things will happen," she said.

Sherman noted that the U.S. delegation discussed this at meetings in Kyiv, in particular, the tactics used by Putin and how the U.S. can support Ukraine in countering this.