Title: Ukrainian President confidenf the US will provide aid in the fight against Russia
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence on Tuesday that the United States will uphold its promise to provide billions of dollars in further aid for Kyiv to continue its fight against Russia. Zelenskyy bluntly dismissed any notion the country might lose the war, despite the ongoing conflict with Russia.
During an end-of-year news conference in Kyiv, Zelenskyy also rejected the suggestion that Moscow’s forces have emerged victorious after largely repelling Ukraine’s counteroffensive and intensifying its military production. He stated, “Russia failed to achieve any of its goals” this year, while acknowledging that Ukraine still faces challenges after exhausting Western military hardware in its unsuccessful counteroffensive.
The delay in Congress approving a deal to send $61 billion to Ukraine, and the near depletion of funds at the U.S. Defense Department for aiding Kyiv, have raised concerns. However, Zelenskyy remained unwavering, saying, “I am confident that the U.S. will not let us down and that what we have agreed with the U.S. will be fulfilled.”
Western support remains crucial for Ukraine’s fight against Russia, but Zelenskyy was less optimistic about Ukraine’s NATO prospects. He acknowledged that despite plans to mobilize up to 500,000 more troops, it is “a very sensitive matter” and will require careful consideration due to the associated costs and logistics.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on Ukraine, with the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights confirming over 10,000 civilian deaths since the full-scale invasion, including more than 560 children. The toll on Ukraine’s economy was also evident, with a significant drop in exports due to the blockade of seaports and attacks on export transport logistics by Russia.
Zelenskyy’s positive outlook contrasts with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent statement, in which he claimed the Kremlin is well positioned for the coming year in terms of the conflict in Ukraine. However, Zelenskyy insisted that Moscow had failed in its efforts to occupy more of Ukraine since the full-scale invasion started on February 24, 2022.
The situation in Ukraine remains precarious, and the international community continues to closely monitor developments in the conflict.