On December 21, Zelensky visited the US, marking his first trip abroad since Russia launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine on February 24…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced his hope for a quick implementation of agreements with the US reached during his visit to Washington last week.
In his night video address to the nation, the President said on Monday: “Today I held an extended meeting on the results of my visit to the US and the implementation of the agreements. We will not waste time.
“We will quickly implement everything that was agreed upon in Washington. As much as possible.”
On December 21, Zelensky visited the US, marking his first trip abroad since Russia launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
During the visit, US President Joe Biden pledged to his Ukrainian counterpart to offer military aid, mentioning in particular the Patriot surface-to-air missile battery he just approved for the war-torn nation in a new tranche of security assistance totaling $1.85 billion.
The weapons package approved by Biden, according to a list from the Pentagon, also included “precision aerial munitions”.
According to US media reports, they might be the so-called “Joint Direct Attack Munitions,” which would transform the unguided “dumb” bombs into “smart” bombs by the addition of fins and a precision guidance system.
Also last week, the House Appropriations Committee released the “Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023”, which will provide Ukraine with $45 billion in emergency assistance.
It is contained in a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through fiscal year 2023.
That $45 billion sum represents the biggest infusion of Washington’s aid to Kiev, surpassing even the White House’s request made to Congress last month to ask for a $37 billion appropriation aimed at helping Ukraine in the ongoing war.
Zelenskyy called the tens of billions of dollars in US assistance provided over the past year vital to Ukraine’s efforts to beat back Russia and appealed for even more in the future…reports Asian Lite News
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy told cheering U.S. legislators during a defiant wartime visit to the nation’s capital on Wednesday that against all odds his country still stands, thanking Americans for helping to fund the war effort with money that is “not charity,” but an “investment” in global security and democracy.
The whirlwind stop in Washington — his first known trip outside his country since Russia invaded in February — was aimed at reinvigorating support for his country in the U.S. and around the world at a time when there is concern that allies are growing weary of the costly war and its disruption to global food and energy supplies.
Zelenskyy called the tens of billions of dollars in U.S. military and economic assistance provided over the past year vital to Ukraine’s efforts to beat back Russia and appealed for even more in the future.
“Your money is not charity,” he sought to reassure both those in the room and those watching at home. “It’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
Just before his arrival, the U.S. announced a new $1.8 billion military aid package, including for the first time Patriot surface-to-air missiles. And Congress planned to vote this week on a fresh spending package that includes about $45 billion in additional emergency assistance to Ukraine.
The speech to Congress came after President Joe Biden hosted Zelenskyy in the Oval Office for strategy consultations, saying the U.S. and Ukraine would maintain their “united defense” as Russia wages a “brutal assault on Ukraine’s right to exist as a nation.” Biden pledged to help bring about a “just peace.”
Zelenskyy told Biden that he had wanted to visit sooner and his visit now demonstrates that the “situation is under control, because of your support.”
Tonight, the fourth night of Hanukkah, we honor the timeless miracle of a small band of warriors fighting for their values against a much larger foe.
That story of resilience reminds me of Ukraine. Even in the darkest days of the year – light will always prevail. pic.twitter.com/4Xqavk1zMA
The highly sensitive trip came after 10 months of a brutal war that has seen tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and devastation for Ukrainian civilians.
Zelenskyy traveled to Washington aboard a U.S. Air Force jet. The visit had been long sought by both sides, but the right conditions only came together in the last 10 days, U.S. officials said, after high-level discussions about the security both of Zelenskyy and of his people while he was outside of Ukraine. Zelenskyy spent less than 10 hours in Washington before beginning the journey back to Ukraine.
In his remarks to lawmakers, Zelenskky harked back to U.S. victories in the Battle of the Bulge, a turning point against Nazi Germany in World War II, and the Revolutionary War Battle of Saratoga, an American victory that helped draw France’s aid for U.S. independence. The Ukrainian leader predicted that next year would be a “turning point” in the conflict, “when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom — the freedom of people who stand for their values.”
Zelenskyy received thunderous applause from members of Congress and presented lawmakers with a Ukrainian flag autographed by front-line troops in Bakhmut, in Ukraine’s contested Donetsk province. The flag was displayed behind him on the rostrum by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris. Pelosi, in turn, presented Zelenskyy with an American flag that had flown over the Capitol that day, and Zelenskyy pumped it up and down as he exited the chamber.
Declaring in his speech that Ukraine “will never surrender,” Zelenskyy warned that the stakes of the conflict were greater than just the fate of his nation — that democracy worldwide is being tested.
“This battle cannot be ignored, hoping that the ocean or something else will provide protection,” he said, speaking in English for what he had billed as a “speech to Americans.”
Earlier, in a joint news conference with Biden, Zelenskyy was pressed on how Ukraine would try to bring an end to the conflict. He rejected Biden’s framing of finding a “just peace,” saying, “For me as a president, ‘just peace’ is no compromises.” He said the war would end once Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity were restored, and Russia had paid back Ukraine for all the damage inflicted by its forces.
“There can’t be any ‘just peace’ in the war that was imposed on us,” he added.
Biden, for his part, said Russia was “trying to use winter as a weapon, but Ukrainian people continue to inspire the world.” During the news conference, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin had “no intention of stopping this cruel war.”
The two leaders appeared to share a warm rapport, laughing at each other’s comments and patting each other on the back throughout the visit, though Zelenskyy made clear he will continue to press Biden and other Western leaders for ever more support.
He said that after the Patriot system was up and running, “we will send another signal to President Biden that we would like to get more Patriots.”
“We are in the war,” Zelenskyy added with a smile, as Biden chuckled at the direct request. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
Biden told Zelenskyy that it was “important for the American people, and for the world, to hear directly from you, Mr. President, about Ukraine’s fight, and the need to continue to stand together through 2023.”
Zelenskyy had headed to Washington after making a daring and dangerous trip Tuesday to what he called the hottest spot on the 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) front line of the war, the city of Bakhmut.
Poland’s private broadcaster, TVN24, said Zelenskyy crossed into Poland early Wednesday on his way to Washington. The station showed footage of what appeared to be Zelenskyy arriving at a train station and being escorted to a motorcade of American SUVs. TVN24 said the video, partially blurred for security reasons, was shot in Przemysl, a Polish border town that has been the arrival point for many refugees fleeing the war.
Officials, citing security concerns, were cagey about Zelenskyy’s travel plans, but a U.S. official confirmed that Zelenskyy arrived on a U.S. Air Force jet that landed at Joint Base Andrews, just outside the capital, from the Polish city of Rzeszow.
Biden told Zelenskyy, who wore a combat-green sweatshirt and boots, that ”it’s an honor to be by your side.”
U.S. and Ukrainian officials have made clear they do not envision an imminent resolution to the war and are preparing for fighting to continue for some time. The latest infusion of U.S. money would be the biggest yet — and exceed Biden’s $37 billion request.
Since October 10, Russia has carried out eight waves of air strikes against Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union (EU) to assist Kiev in purchasing gas and electricity needed to run through the cold season, the presidential press service reported.
“I urge you to continue doing everything so that we can maintain the energy supply for Ukrainians,” Zelensky said while speaking at a meeting of the European Council via a video link.
Ukraine needs the EU support in buying two billion cubic meters of gas that would be used to compensate for the damage caused by Russian strikes at other types of energy generation, Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying.
Besides, Ukraine is interested in importing electricity from the EU worth 800 million euros ($849 million), he added.
Since October 10, Russia has carried out eight waves of air strikes against Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.
According to the Ukrainian government, about half of the country’s energy facilities have been damaged due to the attacks which has resulted in widespread electricity outage amid freezing winter temperature.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine.(photo:Facebook)
Zelenskyy called on United Nations Security Council to support Ukraine’s ‘peace formula.’…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday was named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year,” The Hill reported.
Zelenskyy was chosen from a shortlist of ten people or groups earlier this week for the title by Time magazine. Since late February when The war between Russia and Ukraine started, Zelenskyy has led Ukraine as it has fought to fend off a full-scale Russian invasion of the nation, making Ukraine a leader on the international scene, The Hill reported.
The Ukrainian President also presided over a string of wins in the conflict that have mostly prevented Russia from making progress and allowed Ukraine to recapture land it had lost.
Earlier in November, the Ukrainian masses celebrated the liberation of Kherson city after Ukrainian forces swept into the regional capital and Russian troops retreated to the east.
Russian attacks in Ukraine have damaged about 32,000 civilian targets and more than 700 critical infrastructure facilities since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, according to CNN.
“As one would expect of the terrorists, Russians target civilian targets. To date, about 32,000 such targets have been damaged by Russian missiles and shells. These are primarily private houses or civilian apartment buildings,” Yevhenii Yenin, a Ukrainian diplomat, said in an interview with Ukrainian media recently.
“Only 3 per cent of recorded attacks have been on military facilities..As of now, more than 700 critical infrastructure facilities — airfields, bridges, oil depots, electricity substations, etc — all of these got hit,” Yenin said.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy called on United Nations Security Council to support Ukraine’s ‘peace formula.’
In a recent virtual address to the UNSC (United Nations Security Council), Zelenskyy emphasised that there must be no place in the world for terror. “It’s time to endorse the Ukrainian Peace Formula, I reiterate. There must be no room for horror in the world at all!,” Zelenskyy said. (ANI)
Russia and its proxies have controlled parts of Donetsk since 2014….reports Asian Lite News
Marking the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited troops in the eastern Donetsk region, which Russia claims as its own after a sham referendum, and presented the soldiers with state awards.
“I am honored to be with you here in Donbas today. Allow me to congratulate you on your holiday and the great holiday of our entire state – the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I wish you strength to heroically defend our state, as you are doing now,” Zelensky was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the President’s Office on Tuesday.
“I want to thank your parents for raising you like this, your wives and husbands, your children, all those who support you every day,” he said and also “those warriors who, unfortunately, remained on the battlefield, but did not leave Ukraine”.
Zelensky visits troops in Donetsk. (Photo Source: www.president.gov.ua)
According to the President, the “most difficult direction is in the east of Ukraine today, where our entire state is being protected”.
“I believe that we will meet in our Ukrainian Donetsk, Luhansk, and I am sure that we will also meet in Crimea,” he added.
The difficult area, particularly around the town of Bakhmut, is now the main focus of fierce fighting after Ukraine’s forces retook Kherson in the south last month.
Russia and its proxies have controlled parts of Donetsk since 2014.
After travelling to Donetsk, Zelensky’s next stop was Kharkiv where he visited injured servicemen in a hospital.
In the evening, the President addressed members of the armed forces at the Mariinsky Palace in Kiev.
“I am thankful to the warriors of our army and all formations of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. I am thankful to the parents of our warriors who raised the winners. I am thankful to all the doctors and nurses who save the wounded. I am thankful to everyone who strengthens the defence and provides Ukrainian warriors with everything they need,” he said in his address.
The President pointed out that the Armed Force have been defending Ukraine from Russian aggression for eight years and 286 days, and that thousands of Ukrainians have given their lives for victory and freedom.
All those gathered there observed a minute of silence in memory of those killed on the battlefield.
Tuesday’s development comes a day after massive Russian missile strikes that again targeted critical civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
These strikes were the eighth since October 10.
The country is now seeing snow and sub-zero temperatures in many regions, and millions are without electricity and running water, raising fears people may die of hypothermia.
Most likely, the Ukrainian leader will join the summit in the online format..reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join the G20 upcoming summit in Indonesia’s Bali, Ukrainian state media reported, citing the presidential spokesman Sergii Nykyforov.
“In some format, of course, Volodymyr Zelensky will take part in the G20 summit,” Nykyforov said on Tuesday.
Most likely, the Ukrainian leader will join the summit in the online format, the Spokesman added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.
The 17th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit, which is scheduled for November 15-16, will focus on the theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.(photo: https://www.instagram.com/zelenskiy_official/)
“It’s tense, let’s put it that way,” Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed head of Ukraine’s Kherson region, said on state television…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday signed a decree formally announcing the “impossible” prospect of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian President still left the door open for negotiations with Russia, but that will not be conducted with Putin as its President.
The decree came after Vladimir Putin announced four occupied Ukrainian regions as part of Russia on Friday. He made that announcement after an overwhelming majority of the four regions reportedly “chose” to become part of Russia in a referendum. The referendum was rejected by Kyiv and West, who called it a sham conducted at gunpoint.
“He (Putin) does not know what dignity and honesty are. Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another president of Russia,” Zelensky said on Friday.
Ukrainian forces now seem to be focusing on pushing the Russian Army out of these annexed areas. They have broken through the Russian defenses in the important southern Kherson area and are now rapidly attacking towards the east, seizing back more and more territories annexed by Russia.
“It’s tense, let’s put it that way,” Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed head of Ukraine’s Kherson region, said on state television.
“Where the Kakhovka (reservoir) is, there is a settlement called Dudchany it is in this area that there is a breakthrough and there are settlements taken by Ukrainian troops,” he said.
Ukraine’s counter-offensive against Russia has been surprising to many defense experts who predicted the fall of Ukraine within days of the Russian invasion. Ukraine has taken back more than 4000 square miles of territories from Russia including Izium and Kupiansk, two strategically important towns in the northeast that served as logistical hubs for Russian forces.
According to the New York Times, American and British intelligence officials were directly involved in the planning of the Ukrainian counter-offensive. US intelligence agencies also provided Ukraine with information on Russia’s weak defense links.
Britain has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion on February 24…reports Asian Lite News
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday he hoped Britain’s new Conservative leader Liz Truss would help Kyiv “thwart” Russia.
Truss has been confirmed as Britain’s new Conservative leader, taking over from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, one of Zelensky’s greatest backers.
Zelensky said in his daily address that he was “looking forward to the start of cooperation” with Truss.
“I believe that together we will be able to do more to protect our peoples and to thwart all Russian destructive efforts,” Zelensky said.
“We in Ukraine know her well — she has always been on the bright side of European politics,” Ukraine’s president said, adding that “the main thing is to preserve our unity”.
Britain has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion on February 24.
London has funnelled military hardware, funding and training resources to Kyiv’s embattled forces, now waging battles in the nation’s south and east.
Zelensky last month awarded Johnson the “Order of Liberty” — a Ukrainian honour given to those who buttress the country’s sovereignty — during his third visit to Ukraine since the war began.
Is the West goading Zelensky to launch a new offensive against Russia in Ukraine?.(photo:IN)
Ukraine’s state nuclear agency Enerhoatom has warned against an increasing risk of fire and radiation due to the shelling of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised the country’s military for successfully mounting counter-attacks against Russian forces in the country, while also stressing the vital role played by Western weaponry in the conflict.
“In the past week, the Ukrainian army had achieved powerful results in destroying the logistics of the Russian army,” Zelensky said in his Saturday night video address, dpa news agency reported.
“Every strike on the enemy’s ammunition depots, on their command posts, on accumulations of Russian equipment saves the lives of all of us, the lives of Ukrainian military and civilians,” Zelensky added.
Expressing gratitude to Ukraine’s Western partners for their arms deliveries, Zelensky made a point of thanking the United States in particular, following Washington’s recent announcement that it would be supplying Kiev with a further $550 million of weapons.
Nonetheless, the president also called on Ukraine’s allies to supply the country with further military aid.
Ukrainian energy agency warns of risk at Zaporizhzhya nuke plant
Ukraine’s state nuclear agency Enerhoatom has warned against an increasing risk of fire and radiation due to the shelling of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.
“The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is operating at risk of violating the norms of radiation and fire protection,” the agency said on Telegram, following an attack on the site on Saturday.
Shelling the previous day damaged a nitrogen plant and an auxiliary part of the power plant, dpa news agency quoted Enerhoatom as saying.
“There remains a risk of hydrogen leaking and radioactive particles dispersing, and the risk of fire is also high.”
Ukrainian power plant personnel are trying to maintain safety levels despite these conditions but the threat due to the occupation of the power plant by Russian troops, however, remains high.
The plant may have been mined by Russian troops, according to a report by The Insider which is critical of the Kremlin.
A video allegedly shot at the beginning of the week showed Russian military trucks driving onto the factory site and unloading goods.
One of the trucks drove into the plant’s engine room.
The Insider said either the power plant itself or the area around it has been mined.
“The EU condemns Russia’s military activities around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is a serious and irresponsible breach of nuclear safety rules and another example of Russia’s failure to respect international norms,” said EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, demanding access for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the plant.
On March 4, the nuclear and thermal power stations were both captured by Russian forces.
The plant continues to be operated by Ukrainian staff, under Russian control.
Last week, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi expressed grave concerns about the physical integrity of the plant, whether all necessary repairs and maintenance were being done, and the security of nuclear material.
Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk announced the government will introduce mandatory evacuation of residents from the unoccupied areas of Donetsk…reports Asian Lite News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked civilians remaining in parts of eastern Donetsk, which is still under Kiev’s control, to evacuate as Russia has intensified fighting in the region.
In his nightly video address to the nation on Saturday, the President said: “There are hundreds of thousands of people, tens of thousands of children… Many people refuse to leave… But it really needs to be done. This decision will have to be made… And the sooner it is done, the more people leave Donetsk region, the fewer people the Russian army will be able to kill.
“The government has taken a decision to begin mandatory evacuation from Donetsk. It’s all been organised: full support, full assistance, both logistical and financial. We only need those people who have not yet made this decision to make this decision at last.
“We are not Russia. That is why every life is important for us. And we will use all available opportunities to save as many lives as possible and to limit Russian terror as much as possible.
“At this stage of the war, terror is the main weapon for Russia. And that is why the main task of every Ukrainian, every defender of freedom and humanity in the world is to do everything to isolate the terrorist state and to protect as many people as possible from Russian attacks.”
Earlier in the day, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk announced the government will introduce mandatory evacuation of residents from the unoccupied areas of Donetsk.
She added that if anyone refuses to leave, these people will be forced to sign a waiver form, that they understand all the consequences and are responsible for their life, reports Ukrayinska Pravda.
“There is absolutely no gas supply in Donetsk, we repaired all the gas pipelines that could be repaired, but, unfortunately, the enemy again and again destroys everything that would help keep people warm in winter. In short, there will be no heat in the Donetsk region in the winter.
“There are 52,000 children in Donetsk Oblast, they need to be evacuated, they cannot be exposed to mortal danger in the winter without heat, without light, without the possibility of heating,” the Deputy Prime Minister was quoted as saying.
The development comes as Moscow invited UN and Red Cross officials to investigate the deaths of 54 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in another part of Donetsk region held by Russian-backed separatists.
The troops were killed in unclear circumstances during an attack on a prison in Olenivka, with both sides blaming each other.
