Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky We will text The United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday, then he will meet with President Biden and members of Congress in Washington, D.C., in what will be his second trip to the United States since Russia launched an invasion of his homeland in early 2022.
As was the case during his first visit, his message will be clear and direct: supporting Ukraine means supporting democracy, stability and peace. But with the war now entering its second year, it also needs to 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 veteran who represents the South Boston suburbs. An ally of President Biden — who has steadfastly supported Ukraine, unlike former President Trump and some in the Republican Party — Auchincloss has emerged as one of Washington’s most consistent and articulate supporters of Ukraine.
The following conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Read more on Yahoo News: Rep. Jake Auchincloss urges US to continue supporting Ukraine: ‘It sends a message’
Auchincloss: Let’s remember that Ukraine is launching this counterattack without adequate air power. No Western army would send infantry into two or three lines of well-fortified trenches without close air support. It will never happen. This is what we ask Ukraine to do.
But even without air power, they had broken through the first line of defense in the southeast. So it’s doable, it’s just slower and more stringent than it needs to be.
Read more on Yahoo News: The Deputy Defense Minister reported that Ukrainian forces are now securing newly captured areas near Robotin following recent advancesfrom the New Voice of Ukraine
Yahoo News: What do you say to Americans who argue: “Listen, you know, I’m not a fan of Vladimir Putin, but we have given Ukraine billions of dollars.” “We are not appeasing anyone, but now we have to deal with our own shop, and Ukraine must defend itself.”
Auchincloss: Donald Trump says so.
Ukraine is the battlefield. It is not just a battleground for Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty. It is a battleground for the West’s decision to defend freedom and democracy around the world. This message is as important, if not more important, in Beijing than it is in the Kremlin. I say this publicly to every politician in Washington: “If you’re soft on Russia, you’re soft on China.”
MAGA is soft on Russia.
Read more on Yahoo News: The war in Ukraine is a warning to China of the dangers of attacking Taiwanfrom the conversation
Yahoo News: What is your message to Zelensky?
Auchincloss: That the American people stand with him and his cause, and that they should not allow Donald Trump’s dangerous and cowardly focus on Vladimir Putin to dissuade him from continuing to fight on the front lines of the free world.
Read more on Yahoo News: Zelensky says US support for Ukraine is bigger than war: ‘If Ukraine falls, Putin will certainly go further’ From the hill
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