Weapons, guns and more guns. On his first trip out of Ukraine, Zelensky bring back gifts for Christmas, with an agreement already made, the one on the further US military aid to Ukraine. A 1,85 billion dollar package that includes the sending of the first ones Patriot missiles (Phased Array TRacking to Intercept Of Target), considered the flagship of the defense Use: the long-range missile system that will serve to strengthen the shield against the Russian bombing. But in his visit to the US Zelensky also receives ammo and kits that allow you to make “smart” bombs already in possession of Kiev through systems to strike with precision.
During his visit to the US, announced as a surprise,Zelensky's goal is clear: to convince the new Republican majority in the House not to oppose the proposals for more military funding and humanitarian aid worth 45 billion dollars under discussion for 2023. The Republicans, who will inherit control of the House as of January 3, 2023, have already made it known that they are against offering "blank checks" to Ukraine.
Zelensky's historic visit to the US and Putin's statements
La visit dthe Zelenskys negli Use change the narrative texture of the war and while the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, admits for the first time that “thespecial military operation”, which would allow the forces of Moscow one "quick" victory in Ukraine, it actually presents pitfalls and difficulties. And now the little overgrown country owns the better technologies and more powerful to answer theRussian aggression, but above all it demonstrates the strong support of the West for Ukraine. A cohesive and compact West. “I've never seen the NATO and the EU more united than that”, underlined the American president. “We all know what's at stake here, it's been since World War II that a European country hasn't been attacked,” he added. The Ukrainian leader "is open to pursuing a just peace", while "we know that Putin has no intention of putting an end to this cruel war".
But also in the face to face between Zelensky e Biden it is always the weapons that speak. The days of war are now more than 300: too many. Just as there are too many deaths from this absurd war wanted by Putin. No truce, no peace on the horizon. Instead, Russia is amassing troops and weapons for a new major winter offensive in Ukraine. And while Zelensky is in the United States, the Russian president returns to talk about nuclear. "Our nuclear forces - said the head of the Kremlin - are the main guarantee of Russia's sovereignty". However, the direct response to the Ukrainian leader's visit to the United States comes from the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, according to whom the growing supplies of arms to Ukraine from the USA can only "aggravate" the ten months of conflict.
Zelensky to the US Congress: "Yours is not charity, but an investment"
On the "front line of tyranny," he argued Zelensky during his speech to the Congress, American support "is crucial not only to participate in this battle, but to get to the tipping point and win on the battlefield."
“The world is too interconnected and interdependent for anyone to stand apart and at the same time feel safe when this battle continues,” he added. “Our two nations are allies in this battle and next year will be a turning point, I know — the point where Ukrainian courage and American determination must secure the future of our common freedom, the freedom of the people who fight for their values".
"Your money is not charity," he told Congress. "It's a investment in global security and democracy that we manage in the most responsible way”. Zelensky also called on lawmakers to tighten up the sanctions against Russia.
Despite the disparity of resources, the Ukrainian leader said that "theUkraine he holds his line and will never give up”, but next to gratitude Zelensky he launched an appeal, causing laughter in the classroom when he said: “We have artillery, yes. Thank you. We have it. It's enough? Honestly, not really."
“I hope my words of respect and gratitude resonate in all American hearts,” he continued, adding: “Against all odds and negative scenarios, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and well”.
Zelensky in the US: "Victory only victory"
In his speech, Zelensky recalled American history, referring to the Battle of the Bulge, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Battle of Saratoga. Just like "the brave American soldiers who held their lines" and fought against Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany in 1944, Ukrainian soldiers "are doing the same with Putin's forces this Christmas," Zelensky said. “In Ukraine we will also celebrate it by candlelight, and not out of romance. We don't have electricity and many don't have water. But we're not complaining. The light of our faith will illuminate Christmas”. Because what millions of Ukrainians are wishing for right now is "victory, only victory".
Zelensky at the White House: "There can be no just peace"
In their meeting, the two presidents displayed a united front about their approach to warfare. “I believe… that we share the same vision and that a free, independent, prosperous and secure Ukraine is the vision of both. We want this war to end,” he said Biden. “We understand in our bones that Ukraine's struggle is part of something much bigger,” continued the American president, adding that Zelensky demonstrated his “strong stand against aggression in the face of the imperial appetites of the autocrats” and stated that the United States is at Ukraine's side in maintaining "the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity".
Both Biden and Zelensky they addressed the Russians during the press conference, with the Ukrainian president repeatedly calling Russian forces “terrorists” and Biden stressing the importance of being “clear” about Russia's actions.
“Russia is using thewinter like a weapon, freezing people, starving them, cutting them off from each other,” he said Biden. The war, he added, “could end today if Putin had a modicum of dignity and did the right thing and retired. But that won't happen."
But the two leaders, it seems, still have different perspectives on their approach to pursuing the medium-high pace with Russia.
Biden said at the press conference that Zelensky he was open to pursuing a “just peace.” Later, when asked by a reporter to share his idea of a fair way to end the war, the Ukrainian leader replied: “For me, as president, a just peace è without compromises as regards the sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity of my country, retribution for all damages inflicted by Russian aggression. There can be no just peace in the war that has been imposed on us by these… inhumans, I would say”, he concluded.
Moscow's response: "The US is war by proxy"
La response from Moscow he does not arrive late and accuses the United States of being "the real protagonists of the war". For Putin the objectives of the "special operation" in Ukraine, albeit "extremely difficult", "will be achieved" and "security will be guaranteed in all Russian territories". The Russian president, speaking to the Defense Ministry Council, then underlined the need to expand theRussian arsenal of advanced strike weapons, while ordering to increase the combat capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Moscow will soon deploy ICBMs Sarmat, the flagship of Russia's new military programs. Finally, he explained again Putin, the new hypersonic cruise missile Zircon will be included in the Moscow fleet in early January.
Also change the age range for the military service, which from 18 to 27 years old and will instead be brought in the 21-30 range. In particular, recruitment in the western districts of Russia will be strengthened, due to the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO.
But the Kremlin does not stop there in its response to Zelensky's visit to the US. Moscow will establish some naval bases a Mariupol and Berdyansk, both occupied Ukrainian cities, as explained by Seghiei Shoigu, the Russian defense minister. “The ports of Berdiansk and Mariupol are fully functional. We plan to establish bases for naval support vessels, emergency rescue services and ship repair units." For his part, Putin also reassured Shoigu that there will be no limit to the financing of the armed forces: "The country, the government, will give everything the army asks for".
