Ukrainian president warns that fate of Kyiv hangs on US Congress decision

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky warns US Congress that it must approve military assistance to repel Russia’s invasion of Kyiv

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a dire warning on Sunday, stating that Congress must approve military assistance before Kyiv can repel Russia’s invasion. Zelensky underlined how crucial assistance is, saying that without it, Ukraine would soon lose the war it is now engaged in with Moscow.

The Ukrainian leader’s request comes despite persistent resistance from Republicans in Congress, who have over the last several months prevented Kyiv from receiving significant military aid totaling tens of billions of dollars.

Zelensky emphasized the gravity of the situation when speaking via video conference organized by United24, a fundraising platform based in Kyiv. He said, “It is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war.” He underlined the enormous obstacle that, in the absence of assistance, Ukraine would have to face, suggesting that survival would get harder and harder.

Furthermore, Zelensky cautioned that if Kyiv were to give in, other countries would also experience similar attacks. He also warned of wider consequences should Ukraine weaken in its battle against Russian aggression.

Zelensky’s comments are quite serious because of the ongoing attacks that Ukrainian citizens in different areas are subjected to. Three people tragically died as a result of a recent Russian strike on the village of Gulyaipole in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, according to reports from Kyiv. According to the president of the area, Ivan Fedorov, “two men and a woman died under the rubble of their own private house, which was hit by a Russian shell.”

Sadly, there was more bloodshed in other places. According to Ukraine’s state emergency services, a lady died after an apartment building collapsed in the city of Kupiansk, which is situated in the northeastern Kharkiv area.

Separately, only one day after a prior attack took life in the city, Kharkiv officials reported more strikes on Sunday that left five civilians wounded.

In the meantime, Russia has said that many Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed close to its borders. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod, revealed that 15 drones had been shot down, underscoring the toll the fighting has had on civilian casualties. Tragically, in the town of Shagarovka, close to the Ukrainian border, a family of six was riding in a car when shrapnel from the captured drones struck, killing a small child.

Source: AFP