Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Figure: Photo of Zelensky IG (file photo)
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is not going well. After the withdrawal of Russian troops from northern Ukraine, it is widely believed that the Russian army will gather forces to increase its offensive in the east and south. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in an interview with the American media that how the war situation develops depends on whether the United States provides Ukraine with the much-needed military assistance.
In an interview with CBS TV, Zelensky pointed out that given the shift of the war to southern and eastern Ukraine, Ukraine’s fate will depend on whether the United States supports Ukraine in responding to Russia’s expected increase in military operations in these areas. “I have 100 percent confidence in our people and our army, but I am not sure that we will get everything (aid) that we need,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky also thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for the effective military aid to Ukraine so far, but he also noted that he had sent the U.S. side a special list of Ukrainian essential supplies “a long time ago.” . He pointed out that “that list” is in Biden’s hands, and bluntly said that history will judge Biden’s answer.
Evacuations of civilians continued as Russia rallied its forces to launch a new offensive in eastern Ukraine. Dozens of other mass graves were found near Kyiv after Russian troops withdrew from northern Ukraine. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said a total of 1,222 civilian bodies had been found around Kyiv. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the number of refugees in Ukraine who have fled to neighboring countries has reached 4.5 million.