Zelensky launches US visit with prayer for military aid

Ukraine's president, Voldymyr Zelensky, started the first day of his visit to Washington on December 11th with a prayer for the United States military leaders for additional aid to his besieged country, telling them that “we will not give up” in battle against invasion by Russia's president, Vladimir Putin.

“Putin must be lost. We know what to do. You can count on Ukraine, and we hope we can count on you”, Zelensky said during a meeting at the National Defence University in Washington.

US Secretary of State Lloyd Austin promised steadfast support to Kiev, and warned Putin still hopes in victory in the war against Ukraine, despite major Kremonlin losses in the conflict that began in February 2022.

With all crime and isolation, Putin still believes that he can defeat Ukraine and that he can defeat America. But he's wrong”, Austin said.

America's “dedications should be honoured”, he added, as US President Joe Biden's administration has difficulty convincing the republic's opposition to continue supporting Kiev.

Beden invited Zelensky to Washington to reconfirm his administration's support for Kiev at a time with the Republicans in Congress, who have blocked Ukraine's military and economic aid worth tens of billions of dollars.

He will welcome the Ukrainian leader to the White House on 12 December, spokeswoman Karina Jean-Pierre said.

Zelensky will also address American senators and meet with the new Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson.