Zelenskiy Seeks EU Support in Face of Rising Russian Threats
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to meet with European Union leaders in Brussels on December 19, aiming to secure additional support for Ukraine amidst heightened tensions with Russia and apprehensions about reduced U.S. backing once President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month.
The meeting occurs against a backdrop of ongoing Russian drone and missile strikes, which continue to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Ukrainian forces, despite their valor, are finding it increasingly difficult to fend off Russia's advances in eastern Ukraine.
Draft conclusions from the EU leaders' meeting, seen by Reuters, signify a staunch commitment to support Ukraine. "Russia must not prevail," the conclusions state, emphasizing the necessity that no decisions regarding Ukraine’s future be made without Kyiv's consent.
Prior to this meeting, Zelenskiy conferred with NATO chief Mark Rutte and several European leaders, creating contingency plans in the event that Trump fulfills his campaign promise to swiftly end the conflict, potentially at Ukraine's expense.
The discussions were aimed at securing robust security guarantees. Zelenskiy stressed the importance of these discussions in unified international support, stating, "It is very important to use these two days in Brussels to meet with all our partners and have the same, and very importantly not divided, the same common European position on how to secure Ukraine, how to strengthen our people and, of course, make our army stronger."
A critical focal point of these talks was the enhancement of Ukrainian air defense capabilities, especially with winter approaching. Zelenskiy is expected to once again appeal for more air-defense systems to protect against the relentless Russian aerial assaults on vital infrastructure. Rutte reaffirmed the need for Ukraine's allies to intensify their arms supplies, highlighting the urgency of equipping the nation to face its adversities.
On December 19, Russia launched an assault involving 85 drones against various Ukrainian regions, according to Ukraine's air force, which managed to shoot down 45. The attack marked a significant escalation, with drones targeting regions including Poltava, Sumy, and Kyiv. Additionally, Russian forces employed Iskander-M ballistic missiles and Kh-59 guided missiles during these strikes, causing damage to civilian properties in the Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk areas without reported casualties.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ukraine has responded to the escalating assaults with their own missile strikes. Reports indicate that Ukraine targeted a Russian oil refinery in Rostov, a site that has come under attack in recent months as part of its counter-offensive strategy. The exchange of fire and retaliatory measures underscores the ongoing conflict’s volatility and unpredictability.
The meeting in Brussels is therefore seen as a crucial juncture for Ukraine, navigating through a precarious landscape influenced by both internal strife and shifting international alliances. As Zelenskiy prepares to engage with EU leaders, the fate of Ukraine may hang in the balance, contingent on the responses of its allies in the days and weeks ahead.
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