Devendra Kumar
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visibly shaken, delivered an emotional plea for help at the Munich Security Conference, urging Western nations to provide long-range weapons to counter Russian aggression. With his nation’s war effort facing significant challenges, Zelensky warned that the lack of such weapons is severely limiting Ukraine’s ability to fight back against Russian attacks. Emphasizing the importance of continued support, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the backing of Western nations and implored continued backing for the Ukrainian armed forces.
Zelensky’s comments come as Ukraine’s military chief announced the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, where they had been battling Russian forces for four months. Despite this setback, the Ukrainian leader remained optimistic, pointing to success in other areas, such as the sinking of a Russian ship by Soviet-led forces in the Black Sea. British Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron, a former prime minister, echoed Zelensky’s calls for continued support, urging US politicians to back a multibillion-dollar foreign aid package making its way through Congress.
Cameron expressed frustration that the bill has yet to gain sufficient support in the House of Representatives, where hardline Republicans aligned with Trump have been vocal in their opposition. Zelensky has invited Trump to witness the “real” war in Ukraine, a suggestion that has been met with skepticism by some critics. Trump’s previous administration had been criticized for its handling of the crisis in Ukraine, and some have questioned whether the former president would be willing to take action to support the country in its fight against Russia.
Despite these challenges, Cameron and other European leaders remain committed to supporting Ukraine, recognizing the significant implications of the conflict for global security. The UK, EU, and Washington have all been providing military, economic, and diplomatic support to Ukraine, and Cameron emphasized the need for continued cooperation to effectively counter Russian aggression. Cameron acknowledged that while the UK has been a major supporter of Ukraine, more needs to be done. He emphasized the need for the US Congress to provide sufficient funding to support Ukraine’s efforts, stating that if all three partners – the UK, EU, and US – were to align in their support, it would make a “real difference” in the war effort.