The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, He completed his first overseas trip since the Russian invasion began 10 months ago, returning home after making a moving appeal to US lawmakers for more military aid to help turn the tide of battle.
The reality he returns to after his heroic welcome in Washington, where he was greeted amid ovations and the president’s promise Joe Biden to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes”, is a freezing winter and the prospect of the war reaching a costly stalemate.
On Wednesday, he sought to bring the sounds and smells of the battlefront to congressional decision-makers, who he says have the ability to hasten victory Ukraine and end the war.
“Every inch of that land is drenched in blood; roaring cannons are ringing every hour,” he said, referring to Bakhmut in the country’s east, where his army is holding out in one of the bloodiest campaigns of the war.
“Russian tactics are primitive. They burn and destroy everything in sight.”
Whether his appeal changed anyone on Capitol Hill wasn’t immediately apparent.
Passage of the US spending bill with nearly $50 billion in aid for Ukraine stalled Wednesday night as senators went to bed without voting.
Some Republican lawmakers have had their say opposition to send more money abroad.
Zelenskyy brings home at least one significant boost from the US:
An additional $1.8 billion in military aid was announced Wednesday that includes a Patriot missile battery, one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world.
The Patriots will help boost Ukraine’s ability to counter missiles and drones that Russia launches at the country’s energy infrastructure, aggravating the suffering of the civilian population as temperatures drop during the winter.
“If yours patriots stop the Russian terror against our cities, they will allow Ukrainian patriots to do their best to defend our freedom,” he said in his speech.
“When Russia cannot reach our cities with its artillery, it tries to destroy them with rocket attacks.”
The journey, a risky tactic coordinated with stealth, was also a projection of strength and confidence amid the daily sound of anti-aircraft sirens from Russian attacks and constant power outages.
Ukrainian officials applauded their president’s speech and expressed hope that he could do some good.
“Every word was charged with Ukraine’s overwhelming energy and spirit,” the country’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter.
“May he inspire millions in the United States and around the world to protect what we all hold dear: freedom.”
c.2022 The New York Times Company
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.