Ukraine’s Zelenskyy flies to US and wins more military support against Russian invasion

Zelenskyy presented Biden with an award that he said was handed to him by a “real hero” – a captain on the ground of a HIMARS rocket system that has been a game-changer on the field.

“He’s very brave and he said, give it to very brave president,” Zelenskyy said.

Lawmakers compared Zelenskyy’s trip to Winston Churchill’s Christmas-time appearance in the Capitol in 1941, days after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II.

“It is particularly poignant for me to be present when another heroic leader addresses the Congress in a time of war – and with democracy itself on the line,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a champion of Ukraine.

NEW MISSILE DEFENCE

As Zelenskyy arrived, the United States announced another US$1.85 billion from previously budgeted funds for Ukraine, including for the first time the advanced Patriot air defence system, which is capable of shooting down cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles.

Ukraine fears a rising onslaught of missiles and has faced a slew of attacks from drones, many bought by Russia from Iran, as Moscow pummels power plants and other civilian infrastructure just as the country shivers in the winter cold.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that new weapons deliveries would lead to an “aggravation of the conflict” and do not “bode well for Ukraine”.

Speaking with senior military officials during a televised address, President Vladimir Putin contended that Moscow was not to blame for the invasion and agreed with an assessment that Russia needed a larger army.

“The combat capabilities of our armed forces are increasing constantly,” Putin said, adding that Russia will also “improve the combat readiness of our nuclear triad.”

“What is happening is, of course, a tragedy – our shared tragedy. But it is not the result of our policy. It is the result of the policy of third countries,” he added.

“We don’t have any limits on funding. The country and the government is giving everything that the army asks for, everything,” Putin said.

Zelenskyy’s visit was quietly planned, beginning with a telephone call between Biden and Zelenskyy on Dec 11, followed by a formal invitation a week ago and confirmation of the visit on Sunday, US officials said.

He arrived in an official US government plane with flight-tracking sites showing he flew from Rzeszow, Poland, a town near the Ukrainian border that has become a hub for Western support.

Ukraine enjoys wide support in the United States but there has been criticism from several far-right Republicans who either oppose the aid or have voiced sympathy for Putin.

Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader, said before midterm elections that the new Congress would not give a “blank check” to Ukraine, a comment seen as seeking to mollify the right-wing flank of his party.

But Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, said he looked forward to seeing Zelenskyy and said that defeating Russia was in the US interest.

“The Ukrainian people are courageous and innocent and they deserve our help,” McConnell said on the Senate floor.

“President Zelenskyy is an inspiring leader, but the most basic reasons for continuing to help Ukraine degrade and defeat the Russian invaders are cold, hard, practical, American interests.”

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