Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked US political leaders on Sunday for approving an aid package for Ukraine over the weekend, saying the newfound aid would give the country a chance to “win” as a country. defends himself From Russia.
“I think that this support will really strengthen the armed forces, and if Ukraine really gets the weapons system that we really need, thousands of soldiers, we will have a chance to win,” Zelensky said. he said through an interpreter on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”
Home on Saturday passed the bill Weeks after the Senate allocated $60.8 billion in aid to Ukraine passed a large bill Aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, plus funding for increased border security. Speaker Mike Johnson chose not to put down this package of aid for the three countries, instead passing three separate aid bills.
The House bills are expected to pass the Senate this week, something Zelensky specifically called for.
“We really have to push it to the bottom line. We have to be approved by the Senate,” he said.
“Then we want to help get everything in place as quickly as possible so that we can get the funding for the soldiers on the front lines as soon as possible – not in another six months – to go forward,” he said.
In a statement after the House passed the bills, President Joe Biden said: “I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so that I can sign it into law so that we can send weapons and equipment to Ukraine for their immediate response.” he needs a battlefield.”
Zelenskyy spoke about those urgent needs on Sunday, telling moderator Kristen Welker: “We need long-range weapons so that we don’t lose people on the front lines, because we have casualties because we can’t reach that far. Our weapons do not have such a long range.”
“We need it [that] and air defense. These are our priorities now,” he added.
Asked whether the aid would help Ukraine win the war or simply prolong it, Zelensky told Welker: “It depends on when our weapons are deployed. As you said, Kristen, if we get it in half a year — well, we’ve stalled the process for half a year, and we’ve had losses in a couple of ways. Losses in men and equipment.”
“Now we have a chance to stabilize the situation and pass the initiative, and therefore we really need to have weapons systems,” Zelensky added. “Giving the U.S. a concrete timeline for the war depends on how soon they get that help. There are many variables, many factors.”
Zelensky also answered final report Former President Donald Trump said if elected he would pressure Ukraine to cede part of its territory to Russia in exchange for an end to the war, saying, “Rumors and various rumors, I don’t believe it.”
He also doubted that Putin would ever agree to and abide by such a settlement, telling Welker, “You can never trust Putin.”
“The strategy to end the war should not be based on the words of Putin or some people around him, but on something very concrete, something very tangible, which is independent and democratic in Ukraine.
“I’m sure everyone is interested in that,” he added. “All political leaders, they are also interested in Ukraine being independent, sovereign and democratic. This is interesting for both Republicans and Democrats.”
There is Zelensky for weeks stated that there is an urgent need For weapons and supplies to continue to defend Ukraine against Russian attacks.
During the months when US aid to Ukraine was cut off, Ukraine’s military supplies ran out and the army was forced to retreat from an important eastern city — Avdiivka – in February.
Earlier this month Russia fired five artillery shells for every shell fired by Ukrainian forces, General Christopher Cavoli, commander of the European Command, told NBC News. He warned that without more aid, inequality could rise in the near future.
On Sunday, Zelensky pushed back on complaints that the United States has spent too much on war and will continue to do so, telling Welker: “[Americans] first of all, they protect freedom and democracy in all of Europe”.
“The US Army does not have to fight to protect NATO countries now. Ukrainians do it. All that the civilized world provides is ammunition, and I think it’s a good decision.”