Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi will be addressed United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, then met with President Biden and members of Congress in Washington, DC, in what will be his second trip to the United States since Russia launched an invasion of his homeland in early 2022.
As in his first visit, his message will be straightforward: Supporting Ukraine means supporting democracy, stability and peace. But with the war now in its second year, it must also address concerns about the potential length and scope of the conflict.
Before Zelensky’s visit, Yahoo News spoke with Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat and war veteran who represents a suburb south of Boston. Auchincloss, an ally of President Biden — who has steadfastly supported Ukraine, unlike former President Trump and some members of the Republican Party — has emerged as one of Washington’s most consistent and vocal advocates for Ukraine.
The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Read more on Yahoo News: Jake Auchincloss MP urges US to keep supporting Ukraine: ‘Sends message’
Auchincloss: Let us recall that Ukraine is launching this counter-offensive without adequate air power. No western army would send infantry into two, three lines of well fortified fortifications without direct air support. It would never happen. And we are asking Ukraine for that.
But even without air power, they broke through the first line of defense in the southeast. So it works, it’s just slower and harder than it needs to be.
Read more on Yahoo News: Deputy Defense Minister reports Ukrainian troops are now securing newly captured areas near Robotyne following recent advancesfrom the New Voice of Ukraine
Yahoo News: What do you say to Americans who argue, ‘Look, you know, I’m no fan of Vladimir Putin, but we gave Ukraine billions of dollars? We won’t let anyone down, but now we have to mind our own business and Ukraine has to defend itself.”
Auchincloss: That’s what Donald Trump says.
Ukraine is a battlefield. It is not only a battleground for the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine. It is a battleground for the West’s decision to stand up for freedom and democracy around the world. And that message is as important in Beijing as it is in the Kremlin, if not more so. I say this bluntly to every politician in Washington: “If you’re soft on Russia, you’re soft on China.
And MAGA is soft on Russia.
Read more on Yahoo News: The war in Ukraine is a warning to China about the risks of attacking Taiwanfrom the Interview
Yahoo News: What is your message to Zelensky?
Auchincloss: That the American people stand with him and with his cause, and that they should not allow Donald Trump’s dangerous and cowardly fixation on Vladimir Putin to deter them from continuing to fight on the front of the free world.
Read more on Yahoo News: Zelenskyy says US support for Ukraine is bigger than the war: “If Ukraine falls, Putin will definitely go further.” from The Hill
