Zelensky Thankful for US Military Aid, Requests More – Opinion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has re-emphasized his country’s need for more military material aid. These comments were made during a CNN interview on Sunday, April 17, with Jake Tapper.

Speaking through an interpreter, Zelensky responded to Biden’s decision on Wednesday, April 13th to provide $800M in military aid.

… I am happy that he’s helping us now. I feel that, right now, we’re having a cleaner dialogue. It’s been a dialogue that has had some twists and turns, and not just talk. It’s been very, very difficult, because there aren’t many countries that have really helped us.

The assistance from the United States, led by President Biden — and they are doing it again today — but there will never be enough. Enough isn’t possible. Today, there is an ongoing full-scale conflict. We still require a lot more than the current situation.

Unfortunately we don’t hold the same technical advantages as our adversaries, at least not in the same way. Our people are more powerful. That’s our main advantage, and we know our mission, our objective, what we’re fighting for. We’re defending our country. These families, as well as the children that were discussed earlier, know who we are and where they get their strength.

But for Biden’s confirmed $800 million in support, what’s most important is speed.

When asked about the Biden Administration’s continued insistence the aid is ultimately designed to place Ukraine in a better position for a negotiated peace, Zelensky referenced the horrific human rights violations and full-blown genocide committed by Russian troops as, for some odd reason, not being entirely conducive toward diplomatic solutions.

… (W)here is the compromise coming from the Russian Federation? Perhaps we can put an end to this conflict without giving up on any condition. We might be able to end the war without having to have any kind of dialogue with Russia or make compromises.

And you will understand daily, as I said before, what’s the price of all this? It’s people, the many people who have been killed. Who pays for this mess? It’s Ukraine, just us.

This is an extremely high cost for us. When there’s an opportunity for us to speak, we will. But to speak only a Russian ultimatum, it’s then a question about attitude towards us, not about whether the dialogue is good or bad. It’s impossible. It’s impossible.

But it’s not a fact that this would actually be the case, not at all. But it’s possible. It is possible. We must try. We want to liberate our country, take back what’s ours. We can fight the Russian Federation for 10 years to take what’s ours. This is a possible path.

You have to understand what you’re doing, know your strength, remember that you’re not fighting alone. And can you imagine you would fight one-on-one with a very large state, one that’s 28 times larger than us, in terms of territorial size and economy? Their army is also larger.

You cannot fight with your character. For one to fight, equipment must be available today and not only in two months. Some countries don’t offer any assistance. While they may send us millions, we might still lose our country.

That’s why one has to strike a balance, whether you want to or not. Your role is not limited to being a hero. People are heroes. Their lives must be protected at all costs. The conditions must be humane, if, in fact, that’s even possible. While we cannot abandon our territories, we can find some contact with Russia if they’re capable of it and we’re still available.

These are becoming less likely every day. You might think of Bucha or Borodyanka and Volnovakha. Izyum is Mariupol. No one likes to continue talking after all this. Our society doesn’t want us to continue talks. This is an awful tragedy.

The interview also contained a chuckle-inducing moment in which Tapper and Zelensky compared notes on how, even in war’s midst, teenage daughters steadfastly remain teenage daughters.

TAPPER – How is your wife and children doing? Is everything OK with them?

ZELENSKY: Normal. We are so grateful.

TAPPER: They’re OK?

ZELENSKY: Yes.

TAPPER – How old are you children?

ZELENSKY – My daughter is nearly 18 and my son, almost 9, is 9.

TAPPER: I have a 12-year-old boy …

ZELENSKY: Yes?

TAPPER: … and a 14-year-old girl. So, it’s very …

ZELENSKY: Girl? I’m a 14-year old girl.

TAPPER: Yes.

ZELENSKY: We understand.

TAPPER: Yes.

I call my daughter, and she’s like: “Can’t talk, dad. Very busy.”

(LAUGHTER)

ZELENSKY: It’s not now.

(LAUGHTER)

TAPPER: “I’m very busy.”

ZELENSKY: Yes, I know it’s — without knocking the door, I can’t speak with my own daughter.

After Zelensky asked if he had any Passover messages to send to the world as a Jew but not religious, the interview turned back to serious issues.

Because words can convey a lot, I think the message that is most significant to me is how we fight for freedom. These messages come from different sources.

Only a handful of people actually do what they say. Today I think Ukrainians show that their actions are a demonstration of the principle freedom they stand for. Principles are everywhere.

And if our people won’t be able to protect freedom in their own country, it will be a signal to all other countries that it is allowed, allowed to just come and stab, come and shoot, come and take other people’s land. My belief is that the actions of our people today are a sign to the entire world.

Zelensky also offered the following personal response when Zelensky asked him about his favorite legacy.

An individual who loved the best of life, loved his family, and loved his country.

I would like people to see me the way I am.

… I believe our people are genuine and unique. And I just can’t afford to be worse than them.

Sometimes, it feels like everything is too dangerous. It is clear that many of us go through the same thing. I can understand what basement dwellers, those who have lost children and soldiers are experiencing right now.

I know I must be the most strong person in this circumstance. That’s all. The most important thing is how my children view me. You must make them proud. This is the most important. For this, I will do anything.

An image from Bucha should make the arguments against and for Ukraine seem pale in comparison. The main media’s propaganda regarding Russia-Ukraine conflict is completely irrelevant. MSM can sometimes be right. Some people flee for their safety. Numerous people are fleeing for their lives, many of them Russian soldiers who have been injected with propaganda and hatred. The madman Vladimir Putin is behind this war. Ukraine needs all assistance, other than war (i.e. American military personnel), to prevent Russia from succeeding and refusing to end its aggression. Is Zelensky perfect? Yes, but not. You can’t have Putin as your alternate.