Zelenskiy optimistically urges Ukrainians to seize the initiative to determine the war’s outcome
On Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the people of Ukraine to take the initiative to secure international support and help shape the course of the country’s 22-month-old war against Russia.
After speaking with prominent figures in politics and business at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskiy has returned home and called on the West to increase pressure on the Kremlin to impose sanctions and to support Kyiv.
The Ukrainian leader has expressed confidence that aid from Washington, which has been delayed by infighting in the U.S. Congress, will soon be forthcoming, several months after a counteroffensive that has yielded limited results.
Additionally, there have been hold-ups in receiving the aid that the European Union had promised.
“Ukraine needs an ambitious and proactive perspective so that the initiative lies within our country, not with the enemy so that the end of the war depends on Ukrainian actions,” Zelenskiy stated in his video address at night.
“Those with a particular viewpoint are supported by the world. And maintaining the initiative is the essential task to give us the chance to grow stronger.”
In February, the second anniversary of the Kremlin invasion approaches, and for several months the front lines have remained essentially unaltered.
Conflicts regarding the direction of the war between Zelenskiy and the head of the Ukrainian armed forces have plagued him.
In addition, despite intense public discussion, the parliament has not yet taken up a mobilization law to guarantee that the armed forces are adequately staffed.
In an attempt to convince Congress to release the funds and support the Ukraine war campaign, Zelenskiy traveled to Washington last month.
However, Congress’ opposition Republicans have refused to consider any legislation unless it is linked to an overhaul of border security measures, which has caused the package that President Joe Biden proposed to stall.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson, a Republican, stated on Wednesday that his meeting with Senate Democrats and Biden was “productive.”
However, Johnson stated that Republicans continued to insist that taking new steps to fortify the border between the United States and Mexico should be their top priority.
SUMMARY
- President Zelenskiy urges Ukraine to secure international support for its 22-month war against Russia.
- He calls on the West to increase pressure on the Kremlin to impose sanctions and support Kyiv.
- Zelenskiy expresses confidence in the forthcoming aid from Washington, which has been delayed due to infighting in the U.S. Congress.
- He emphasizes the importance of maintaining the initiative within Ukraine, not with the enemy.
- Despite intense public discussion, the parliament has not yet taken up a mobilization law to ensure adequate armed force staffing.
- Zelenskiy’s recent trip to Washington aimed to convince Congress to release funds and support the Ukraine war campaign.
- However, opposition Republicans in Congress have refused to consider legislation linked to border security measures, stalling President Joe Biden’s proposed package.
