Volodymyr Zelensky to address Congress as Russian invasion intensifies on Kyiv outskirts
March 16, 2022, 10:04 am

Volodymyr Zelensky to address Congress as Russian invasion intensifies on Kyiv outskirts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky/Facebook page

The USA Today reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deliver a virtual address to Congress on Wednesday, where he is expected to urge for greater assistance as Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered its third week.

Zelenskyy, who suggested there was still some reason to be optimistic negotiations might yet yield an agreement with the Russian government, said Russia’s demands were becoming “more realistic.” The sides were expected to speak again later Wednesday.

He said in his video address to the nation: “Efforts are still needed, patience is needed,” adding that “Any war ends with an agreement.”

Zelenskyy to Johnson: "If we cannot enter NATO's 'open door', then we must work with communities available, communities that will help us. Like yours. And have some guarantees–reliable guarantees that will work for us. And also for you. I ask you: help yourself by helping us. You know we crucially need airplanes". He also indicated needs: the ban on Russia to use world ports, its complete disconnection from SWIFT, the recognition of Russia as terrorist state, embargo on any trade with Russia (File photo and text: Euromaidan Press)

According to a statement and images released by the Kyiv emergencies agency, Wednesday's virtual address comes after shrapnel from an artillery shell slammed into a 12-story apartment building in central Kyiv Wednesday morning, obliterating the top floor and igniting a fire.

The neighboring building was also damaged. The agency reported two victims, without elaborating.

NATO begins to draw up plans to reset military posture in eastern Europe

The head of the Kyiv region Oleksiy Kuleba said Wednesday, Russian forces have intensified fighting in Kyiv suburbs, notably around the town of Bucha in the northwest and the highway leading west toward Zhytomyr.

Source: usatoday

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.