President Volodymyr Zelenskiy started his first day in Washington on December 11 with a plea to U.S. navy leaders for added assist to his beleaguered nation, telling them that ”we can’t quit” the battle in opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
”Putin should lose. We all know what to do. You possibly can rely on Ukraine, and we hope simply as a lot to have the ability to rely on you,” Zelenskiy informed a gathering on the Nationwide Protection College in Washington.
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In his introduction of the Ukrainian chief, U.S. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin promised ”unshakable” assist for Kyiv and warned that Putin nonetheless had hopes of successful his struggle in opposition to in Ukraine, regardless of the Kremlin’s heavy losses within the battle that start in February 2022.
”Regardless of his crimes and regardless of his isolation, Putin nonetheless believes that he can outlast Ukraine and that he can outlast America. However he’s unsuitable,” Austin mentioned as the group of navy leaders and college students applauded.
”America’s commitments should be honored,” he added because the U.S. administration of President Joe Biden struggles to persuade many opposition Republicans of the necessity to proceed to help Kyiv.
Zelenskiy mentioned that ”if there’s anybody impressed by unresolved points on Capitol Hill, it is simply Putin and his secret clique. Ukrainians haven’t given up and will not quit.”
Zelenskiy arrived in Washington on December 11 after a go to to Argentina as he continues to make his case for continued assist as Ukraine braces for a second troublesome winter of struggle with invading Russian forces.
Biden invited Zelenskiy to Washington to reaffirm his administration’s backing of Kyiv amid a dispute with Republicans in Congress who’re blocking tens of billions of {dollars} in much-needed navy and financial assist for the embattled nation.
As Zelenskiy prepares to make the case for deblocking the help bundle in the USA, Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba on December 11 arrived in Brussels, the place an EU summit on December 15 will resolve whether or not to launch membership negotiations with Kyiv and likewise give it 50 billion euros ($53.8 billion) in financial assist.
Biden will obtain Zelenskiy on the White Home on December 12, spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned, and the Ukrainian chief will even tackle U.S. senators and meet with the brand new Republican speaker of the Home of Representatives, Mike Johnson.
“As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes in opposition to Ukraine, the leaders will focus on Ukraine’s pressing wants and the important significance of the USA’ continued assist at this crucial second,” Jean-Pierre mentioned.
Zelenskiy’s workplace mentioned the Ukrainian chief would maintain a ”collection of conferences and discussions” specializing in protection cooperation between Washington and Kyiv, ”notably by means of joint initiatives on the manufacturing of weapons and air protection programs, in addition to the coordination of efforts between our nations within the coming 12 months.”
Zelenskiy can also be scheduled to satisfy with Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgiva on December 11 because the group’s govt board prepares to launch extra funds from the Ukraine’s $15.6 billion mortgage bundle.
Zelenskiy’s go to comes after he canceled a video tackle to U.S. senators on December 5 as debate heated up on Biden’s practically $106 billion request for funding for the wars in Ukraine and Israel.
The Biden administration requested Congress in October to cross the help bundle, which might cowl not solely assist for Ukraine and Israel but additionally border safety, however the Republican-controlled Home rejected the request.
The deliberate Washington go to would comply with Zelenskiy’s first journey to Latin America, the place he thanked regional leaders on December 10 for his or her assist of his nation in its battle in opposition to the full-scale Russian invasion and the “battle for freedom and democracy.”
Whereas in Argentina for the inauguration of latest President Javier Milei, Zelenskiy met briefly with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in a bid to resolve variations over Ukraine’s bid for European Union membership.
Orban has maintained shut ties with Putin and his nationalist authorities has argued in opposition to EU sanctions on Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Orban final week reportedly despatched a letter to European Council President Charles Michel to demand that Ukraine’s membership within the bloc be taken off the agenda at an EU summit subsequent week.
Regardless of Zelenskiy’s quick assembly with Orban in Argentina, Hungarian Overseas Minister’s Peter Szijjarto on December 11 mentioned Budapest wouldn’t give in to ”blackmail” and won’t change its place.
”We proceed to make our choices in accordance with European and nationwide pursuits and don’t permit any form of stress, regardless of who or the place it comes from, or whether or not it is blackmail or guarantees,” Szijjarto mentioned on Fb.
Kuleba on December 11 warned of ”devastating” repercussions for Ukraine and the EU if the bloc doesn’t agree on green-lighting the beginning of admission talks with Ukraine.
”I can’t think about, I do not even wish to speak in regards to the devastating penalties that may happen shall the (European) Council fail to make this determination,” Kuleba mentioned forward of the EU overseas ministers’ assembly in Brussels.
Kuleba mentioned that Kyiv was “nonetheless struggling to know these harsh statements from Hungary” and added that Ukraine applied all of the systemic judicial and training reforms that the bloc required for the beginning of accession talks.
”We did our homework,” Kuleba mentioned. ”We count on the European Union to do its homework.”