Inside Zelenskyy's US tour: Pledging to de-occupy Bakhmut; lobbying McCarthy and Netanyahu

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Washington recently. He wanted support to take back the city of Bakhmut from Russia. Bakhmut was captured by Russia in May, and Ukraine has been trying hard to get it back.

Zelenskyy promised that they would free Bakhmut from Russian control. But there's a challenge. The weather in the fall and winter can make fighting difficult. Zelenskyy said his troops learned how to fight in such conditions last year. He's determined not to stop during the tough autumn and winter days.

Getting Bakhmut back would be a big win for Ukraine. They said they already took back two nearby villages from Russian forces.

In a meeting with some journalists, Zelenskyy mentioned that he thinks they can reclaim two more cities from Russia but didn't say which ones. This was his third trip to Washington since President Biden took office and his second visit to the White House since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Zelenskyy said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's army is having a tough time and is losing people and experienced soldiers. He believes Putin needs a break.

During his visit, Zelenskyy met with U.S. lawmakers, military leaders, and President Biden. He also spoke to the Ukrainian community and talked with prominent figures like Attorney General Merrick Garland, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Lindsey Graham.

The Biden administration asked for an additional $24 billion to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia, but some conservatives in the House of Representatives are holding up the aid. Zelenskyy's visit allowed him to discuss these concerns with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

The Pentagon had around $5 billion left to support Ukraine with military equipment and supplies. They announced an additional $325 million in security assistance during Zelenskyy's visit. Zelenskyy also asked for long-range missiles to improve Ukraine's military capabilities, especially before winter.

Zelenskyy talked about the toll the war has taken on Ukraine's people. He criticized Putin and said that world leaders, including himself, wish they could have stopped him.

Zelenskyy was an actor before becoming a wartime president. His ability to speak well has helped rally support for Ukraine.

During his visit, Zelenskyy also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He hoped to strengthen ties between Ukraine and Israel and discussed concerns about weapons falling into the wrong hands if Israel provides them to Ukraine. Zelenskyy thinks this partnership could be beneficial for both countries, especially given the situation with Iran. Please Share This Article

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