KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Monday his upcoming visit to the United States for discussions regarding the potential provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine. This announcement follows a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated he might consider sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv. Zelenskyy's trip underscores the urgent need for robust military support amidst ongoing conflict with Russian forces.
During his visit, a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump is anticipated to occur as early as Friday. The Ukrainian president emphasized that critical topics for discussion will include enhancing Ukraine's air defense systems and long-range capabilities. Zelenskyy expressed the need to maintain pressure on Russia, especially in light of recent military developments.
Speaking at a meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, Zelenskyy highlighted the necessity for additional U.S. assistance in fortifying Ukraine's electricity and gas networks, which have been the targets of relentless bombardments by Russian forces. This visit to the U.S. follows what Zelenskyy described as a “very productive” phone call with Trump, who reiterated his commitment to support Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.
In the context of military aid, Trump’s warnings to Russia include the potential deployment of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, should Moscow fail to resolve its military actions quickly. The introduction of such missiles would significantly enhance Ukraine's capability to strike deeper into Russian territory, marking a major shift in military dynamics.
Moscow has reacted with extreme concern regarding the possibility of the U.S. supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that the provision of long-range missiles would critically harm relations between Moscow and Washington, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding military support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States adds to a broader delegation already present for preliminary discussions, led by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, particularly targeting power facilities as winter approaches. These assaults aim to degrade Ukraine's power grid and demoralize the civilian population. The latest attacks, reported by Ukraine's State Emergency Service, resulted in casualties, including one death in the Chernihiv region.
Kaja Kallas reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to applying sustained pressure on Moscow and expressed optimism regarding resolving objections to a new sanctions package against Russia, particularly overcoming challenges led by Hungary. Kallas emphasized that the needs for funding are enormous and underscored the importance of aiding Ukraine in its defense to avoid more significant financial expenditures later on reconstructing damaged infrastructure.
As discussions intensify in both the U.S. and the EU regarding how to best support Ukraine, the situation remains critical, with energy infrastructure and military assistance at the forefront of Western responses to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
