Russia

• President Biden said Wednesday that he was worried about the prospect of Congress authorizing more Ukraine aid after Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was removed as speaker of the House. AWC
• Ukrainian officials are “freaking out” over the uncertainty about new Ukraine aid being passed through Congress, a Ukrainian member of parliament told POLITICO. AWC
• The Pentagon announced Wednesday that it had transferred a shipment of ammunition typically used in rifles to Ukraine that it claims was seized from Iran last year. AWC
• The Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday said that air defenses downed 31 Ukrainian drones over three Russian oblasts that border Ukraine, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk. AWC
• The head of NATO’s Military Committee is urging the alliance to increase arms production, warning the “bottom of the barrel” of NATO’s stockpiles is now visible due to the massive amounts of weapons and ammunition that have been shipped to Ukraine. AWC
• A German newspaper reported that Berlin has no near-term plans to send Kiev Taurus Cruise Missiles. The rejection follows a string of admissions by Western countries that their ability to arm Ukraine is nearing an end. The Institute 

Egypt 

• Senator Ben Cardin informed the Start Department that he would like to withhold over $200 million in military aid earmarked for Egypt over concerns about Cairo’s human rights abuses. The potential suspension comes after the former chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez, was indicted on charges that included accepting bribes to aid the Egyptian government. The Institute