Zelensky’s visit to U.S. has more questions than answers
2022.12.23 00:23
Zelensky’s visit to U.S. has more questions than answers
Budrigannews.com – Vladimir Zelenskiy’s surprise trip to Washington this week was clearly a success for him: He goes back to Europe with new military and financial commitments from the United States, as well as bipartisan support for the war between Ukraine and Russia.
However, the visit also leaves a lot of important questions unanswered, such as how the United States’ support for the military might change, whether Congressional support for the war will last, and, most importantly, how the war will end.
Zelenskiy spoke to a joint session of the U.S. Congress and met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House. He was greeted by members of Congress with cheers and multiple standing ovations.
Biden made the announcement that the United States would contribute an additional $1.85 billion to military assistance, which would include the Patriot missile defense system.
The visit came as Ukraine keeps on experiencing close constant Russian air assaults on its power network during a harshly cool winter, which Kyiv says are pointed toward breaking its regular citizens’ will to stand up to.
Air defenses, particularly the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, which is highly effective against aircraft as well as ballistic and cruise missiles, have been at the top of Zelinskiy’s wish list for military hardware.
While Biden has consented to supply one of the frameworks, U.S. authorities say that a solitary Loyalist battery will not the redirect the conflict.
Ukraine has pleaded for additional advanced weapons, but the United States and its allies have been unwilling to provide them. These include cutting-edge battle tanks and long-range missiles known as ATACMS, which have a range of 300 kilometers (186 miles) and are capable of striking targets both inside and outside of Russia.
Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, stated, “The aim of the United States – to both support Ukraine while ensuring the U.S. and NATO don’t get pulled into a broader war – will continue to preclude the shipment of the kind of weaponry Zelenskiy really wants.”
Biden said on Wednesday that Ukraine is “not looking for a third world war” when a reporter asked about ATACMS during Zelensiky’s visit.
Russia has said that giving long-range rockets to Ukraine would cross a “red line”.
Zelenskiy, on the other hand, stated that he and Biden know precisely how Ukraine’s defense capabilities can be enhanced in the coming months, though he declined to provide specifics at this time.
On the condition of anonymity, two American officials stated that air defense systems continue to be the primary focus of the United States.
The officials added that Kyiv would need to acquire additional air defense systems from the United States and other western nations and improve their integration.
The United States’ support for Ukraine has received remarkably broad political support. However, as the war nears its 300th day, the right-wing of the Republican Party is becoming increasingly critical.
A few hours prior to Zelenskiy’s visit to Washington, Republican Representative Andy Biggs posted on Twitter, “No more blank checks to Ukraine.”
In addition to the $50 billion that the United States has already provided to Ukraine this year, Congress is preparing to vote on $44.9 billion in additional military and economic assistance. Endorsement is viewed as probable.
However, once Republicans gain control of the House of Representatives on January 3, any new spending will be scrutinized.
The majority of the new House majority, according to an anonymous senior Republican congressional aide, support military aid for Ukraine.
However, the aide added that they will demand clearer explanations from the Biden administration as well as increased monitoring of the manner in which Ukraine utilizes U.S. hardware.
The adviser stated, “The administration is not doing a good job communicating to Congress” regarding Ukraine strategy. “Republicans need to have a better understanding of why they are saying no to some weapons and yes to others,” as one Republican put it.
At last, Zelenskiy’s visit added little lucidity to the subject of how the conflict will end.
According to the president of Ukraine, Biden has agreed to his “10-point peace plan.” This plan calls for, among other things, the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory and the establishment of a special tribunal to investigate Russian war crimes, both of which Russia has categorically rejected.
Zelenskiy stated on Wednesday, “For me, as the President, ‘just peace’ is the payback for all the damages inflicted by Russian aggression. It is no compromises as to the sovereignty, freedom, and territorial integrity of my country.”
In the past, Zelenskiy stated that winning means regaining Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014.
In October, the wealthy countries of the Group of Seven (G7) gave Ukraine’s peace plan a lot of support. They said that “territorial integrity” was needed, but they didn’t talk about Crimea.
However, on Wednesday, the Kremlin stated that peace talks with Kiev were unlikely.
More Russia wants peace in Ukraine-Putin
Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, made a similar pessimistic statement earlier in the week.
He told reporters on Monday, “I do believe that the military confrontation will continue, and I think we’ll have still to wait for a moment when serious negotiations for peace will be possible.” They are not visible to me on the immediate horizon.
