Ukraine war: Zelensky urges US to help it defeat Russia
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In a bold speech to US senators on his first overseas trip since Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that his country is “alive and kicking” and will never capitulate.
According to Mr. Zelensky, US military assistance to Ukraine was an investment in future security, not a charitable act.
His appeal comes amid indications that Republican lawmakers in Congress will scrutinise US support more closely.
President Joe Biden, though, promised to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” A new $2 billion (£1.7 billion) aid package and an additional $45 billion were offered by Mr. Biden.
At a joint press conference, Mr. Biden assured reporters that maintaining the unity of the international coalition was not a concern.
The US president said he felt “quite good” about the unity of support for Ukraine, amid worries that some allies may be feeling the pressure of the conflict’s cost and interruption to the global food and energy supply.
The US, which is by far Ukraine’s most significant friend, has already pledged $50 billion (£41 billion) in humanitarian, financial, and security aid.
Republicans, who will control the House of Representatives in January, have issued a warning that they would not give Ukraine a “blank check.”
In actuality, Republican support for ongoing aid has been dwindling. Just over half of Republican voters backed aid to Ukraine in a study taken in November, down from 80% in March.
However, Mr. Zelensky, who flew from the Polish city of Rzeszow on a US Air Force flight, declared that “despite changes in the Congress,” he thought there would be bipartisan support for his nation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Putin asserted that he didn’t think his nation was too responsible for the conflict in Ukraine and added that both nations were “sharing a sorrow.”
The US military calculates that at least 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Additionally, there have been an estimated 40,000 civilian fatalities. 7.8 million refugees from Ukraine have been registered by the UN in countries all around Europe, including Russia. The number excludes those who were compelled to leave their homes but are still in Ukraine, nevertheless.