Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his request for more U.S. assistance, stating that his country is not ready to defend against an expected large-scale Russian attack in the coming months.
Zelensky, in a conversation with CBS News that was released on Thursday, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces were able to resist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces during the winter, but mentioned that Russia’s troops and missile supplies damaged “some villages.”
“We didn’t have ammunition, artillery ammunition, and many other things,” he said, noting an attack from Russia is anticipated around the end of May or in June.
“And before that, we not only need to prepare, we not only need to stabilize the situation, because the partners are sometimes really happy that we have stabilized the situation,” Zelensky said, referring to the U.S. and Ukraine’s other backers. “No, I say we need help now.”
“Generally, after they attack with artillery and destroy the villages, they always attempted to occupy,” he added later. “We don’t know what will happen in the future. That's why we have to get ready.”
Zelensky told CBS News’s Charlie D’Agata that what Ukraine needs the most is the U.S.’s Patriot missile defense systems and more artillery.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba likewise called for the Patriot system — the most advanced air and missile defense system in the world. It is used by more than a dozen countries and can engage ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as enemy aircraft. “Billions of dollars remain in the U.S. Let's be honest, the money that is approved by the Congress, by the administration, in most cases, 80 percent of this money — well, at least more than 75 percent — remains in the U.S.,” Zelensky said. “This ammunition is coming to us, but the production is happening there, and the money stays in the U.S., and the taxes are staying in the U.S.”
Aid for Ukraine has been stuck in Congress for over a year due to strong disagreements among lawmakers. Congress has not approved a funding bill for the embattled nation since the end of 2022, when a Democratic majority passed its fourth aid package for the country.
The Senate passed
a $95 billion defense and foreign aid package last month that included $60 billion in aid for Kyiv. When sent to the House, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) opposed bringing it to the floor, as it lacked the border security measures demanded by House conservatives. Johnson said he would send the Senate a new funding package for Kyiv, noting it will likely look very different than the upper chamber’s version. The Speaker suggested the idea
of making the House’s foreign aid package a loan or lend-lease program to reduce the burden on U.S. taxpayers. Zelensky on Thursday said he spoke with Johnson
and briefed the House leader on Ukraine’s battlefield situation. “In this situation, quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital. We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor. he wrote in a post
on social media. The Ukrainian leader cautioned that the conflict might intensify in Europe, describing it as a battle “against democracy, against principles, against the entire world.” “The USA is assisting Ukraine and we appreciate their support, for this collective support, but the United States isn’t experiencing the war,” he stated. “However, it could spread to Europe and the United States of America swiftly.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky repeated his request for more U.S. assistance, stating his besieged nation is not ready to defend against an expected significant Russian attack in the coming months. Zelensky, in an interview with CBS News released Thursday, stated Ukrainian forces were able to repel Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces during the winter…
“The USA is helping Ukraine and we are grateful for their support, for this multilateral support, but the United States don’t have the war going on,” he said. “But it can come to Europe, and to the United States of America. It can come very quickly to Europe.”
