As the world's eyes increasingly turn to the Middle East, Zelensky and some of his allies in Europe are struggling against Kiev's painful decline into geopolitical irrelevance.
While the US and UK have struck Iranian-backed Houthi military targets in Yemen, potentially opening a whole new military can of worms, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited the Baltics to rally support for his noticeably weak war effort.
In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a press conference: Yes. We released the last package of available supplies that we had funding to support.
The situation in the war is deteriorating. The Russians have the upper hand, slowly gaining territory while applying relentless pressure at multiple points of the 600-mile front line.
Newsweek reported:
“Russian air strikes have been particularly devastating in recent weeks. On Monday [8]The Kyiv Post reported that Ukraine suffered one of…“Worst Days of the Entire War” after 60% of Russian air strikes were successful, including 33 out of 51 missile attacks.
⚡️Okay, okay, okay…Who's dodgy now?
It turns out that Volodymyr Zelensky himself, the President of Ukraine, received a summons from the military registration and enlistment office three times in 2014 and once in 2015 but has not appeared to this day. pic.twitter.com/KjouZ0F9Vb
– Simplicius Ѱ (@simpatico771) January 12, 2024
At a press conference in the Estonian capital Tallinn, Zelensky once again rejected a “ceasefire” with Russia, insisting that it would not lead to political dialogue and would only benefit Moscow.
He insisted that any pause would risk allowing Russia to regroup and boost its munitions supply.
Reuters reported:
He added: “A pause will not lead to an end to the war, nor will it lead to a political dialogue with Russia or anyone else… Thank God that all of this was decided in Ukraine and there will be no pause in Russia’s favor.” “
Later on his whirlwind tour, which actually visited Riga, the Latvian capital, he stated that Russia would launch an attack before the presidential elections in March.
“They want some small tactical victories before (the elections), and are preparing for something global or massive afterward,” Zelensky said. “The situation on the front is very complicated; we lack weapons,” he added.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are major supporters of Kiev, but they are relatively minor players in the larger European geopolitical landscape.
The embattled Ukrainian president has several tasks at hand: address allied fatigue; securing more financial and military aid; Securing accession to NATO and the European Union. None of these goals appear to be within reach at this moment.
“It will be difficult for Ukraine to survive unless it gets a late package of financial support from the European Union,” he told media in Tallinn. It was the package Banned by Hungary in December. “This support is very important for us,” Zelensky said.
One might wonder why the issue of a ceasefire was so urgent yesterday, after Russia showed every sign of wanting to resolve matters on the battlefield, with the ultimate goals in mind.
The issue remains puzzling until we notice the “buried leadership”: NATO Defense Minister calls for negotiations – a harsh blow for Zelensky.
Zelensky refused to comment on the Italian Defense Minister's statements on Wednesday that… It is time for diplomacy in conflict. “I have never had such negotiations with Italy at any level, so it is difficult for me to comment,” he said.
It is not a joke:
⚡️The obsessed coke addict now claims they have destroyed 26 Russian helicopters and 12 planes a day. pic.twitter.com/6dMSlNY3Rb– Simplicius Ѱ (@simpatico771) January 12, 2024
Other allies are stepping in: today (12) UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on a warpath, after the Yemen bombings, is already in Kiev to pledge continued support.
The Guardian reported:
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Ukraine on Friday to meet his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, as the UK announced it would provide more military aid to the country over the next year.
The UK has been one of Kiev's strongest supporters since the Russian invasion, and Sunak said Britain would boost its support in the next financial year to £2.5 billion, an increase of £200 million on the previous two years.
The additional funding would help Ukraine buy new military drones, including surveillance, long-range strike and naval drones, most of which are expected to be manufactured in Britain.
While the 3B+ support pledge is nothing to scoff at, it is dwarfed by “blocked” US and EU packages worth hundreds of billions.
“[…] Sunak said: “For two years, Ukraine has fought with great courage to repel the brutal Russian invasion. They are still fighting, steadfast in their determination to defend their homeland and defend the principles of freedom and democracy. And I am here today with one message: the UK, too, will not falter. We will stand to A side of Ukraine in its darkest hours and in better times to come.
Read more:
Ukraine will mobilize half a million new citizens for war in highly unpopular move – President Zelensky and General Zalozny blame 'hot potato' on each other
