December 22, 2022, 21:59 PM
December 22, 2022, 21:59 PM
It was not a simple trip abroad. In the midst of a new phase of escalation of the war in Ukraine, andUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky briefly and unexpectedly left his country. This is the first time he has done so since the war began, more than 300 days ago. During the conversation he had with his US counterpart, Joe Biden, in Washington, and then in front of the US Congress, he urged more help for his country. Political help, but above all military, so that Ukraine can continue to defend itself effectively against Russian aggression.
Having failed to make progress on the southern and eastern fronts, Russia is systematically destroying Ukraine’s power and water infrastructure, which means citizens will be left without electricity, heat or water this winter. And Russian cruise missiles, rockets and drones are impacting not only infrastructure, but also homes across the country. For Ukraine and its people, it is literally a matter of survival.
Zelensky conveys confidence
The Ukrainian president is under great pressure. He was clearly tense during his visit to Washington, but he conveyed confidence: “Ukraine has not fallen. She is alive,” and he can and will win this war with foreign help. His message was widely applauded in Congress. By the way, a signal of unity and determination was sent, above all, to Moscow: the US and its allies continue to support Ukraine. Russia will not be able to drive a wedge between Ukraine and its allies.
Ukraine is clear that the US is its main international support. Since the first day of the war, the United States, under the leadership of Joe Biden, has assumed the lead. Without this initiative, aid from other countries to Ukraine would undoubtedly have been much weaker, especially in terms of arms shipments. Major European countries, including Germany, have repeatedly hesitated on this issue, and continue to do so. Only when the United States takes the lead does others follow.
Signals to USA and Europe
But also in the United States, especially among Republicans, there are more and more figures who would like to put the money towards investing in their own country, instead of sending more aid to Ukraine. For example, to the “America First” movement. Joe Biden and his administration support Ukraine, but are also under pressure after the midterm elections in November. The US Congress will soon decide whether to grant a humanitarian and military aid package to Ukraine worth 42.3 billion euros. It is a good sign that Zelensky received so much applause after his speech at the Congress.
The Ukrainian president did not plead in Washington, but he is also clear that neither the United States, nor the Europeans or other supporters want to get directly involved militarily in the war. Biden openly commented on this issue at the press conference with Zelenski. Defensive weapons, missile launchers, ammunition and other equipment will be supplied as long as Ukraine needs them. However, the long-range offensive systems desired by kyiv, with which Ukraine could attack Russian military bases, are unlikely to be provided by Washington.
Increased air safety in Ukraine
Instead, Ukraine will see its defensive capabilities further strengthened. The US will give up a unit of its air defense system called the Patriot. It is understandable that kyiv wants more units, since a single Patriot system is not enough to protect a large city. However, aid is more than a symbolic act. It is one more step towards protecting the skies in Ukraine. USA thus joins other international support for air defense. Gepard tanks and Germany’s Iris T system, for example, are already saving lives in Ukraine.
What is absurd is the outcry from Moscow in reaction to Zelensky’s visit to Washington. The delivery of the Patriot system is not an escalation; it is a help so that Ukraine can defend itself. The German government should now also reconsider it. Berlin has promised a Patriot system for Poland, which Warsaw would have preferred to cede to Ukraine, but Germany didn’t want that.
Germany does not have many of these systems, but could provide Ukraine with some units, where they are sorely needed. Just as the United States is doing under Joe Biden, Berlin should also do even more to save lives in Ukraine.
