Zelensky, ‘broad diplomatic warfare’ ahead of ‘counterattack’
NYT “Concerns about reduced support ahead of the US presidential election”
Considering the possibility of a change in the US regime, the ‘greatest ally’
‘Consolidation of cooperation’ with Europe… the rise of Germany’s role
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks at his mobile phone in a car after a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, Germany, on May 14, 2009. Since the 13th, President Zelensky has waged extensive diplomatic warfare, visiting Italy, Germany, France and the United Kingdom in succession. AP Yonhap News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky waged a breathless diplomatic battle, visiting four European countries in succession over the past two nights and three days ahead of a “counterattack” for territorial recovery. This is primarily to obtain military support from allies ahead of the counterattack postponed to summer, but it is an analysis that it is a move to strengthen relations with European allies in preparation for a change in support from the United States, the largest ally, in the US presidential election next year. comes out
On the 13th (local time), President Zelensky visited Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, starting with Italy, and met with key figures such as heads of state and Pope Francis. The schedules in France and England were unexpected ‘surprise visits’. During this visit, he received arms support worth billions of dollars, including the largest military aid package worth 2.7 billion euros (approximately 3.94 trillion won) from Germany, as well as light tanks, armored vehicles and unmanned aerial systems from France and Britain, respectively. paid President Zelensky tweeted after his visit to France, “With every visit (to an ally) Ukraine’s defense and offensive capabilities are getting stronger.”
The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 15th that President Zelensky’s wide-ranging diplomacy “reflects the perception that US aid to Ukraine is likely to be under pressure in the future.” Citing Ukrainian and German officials, the newspaper said Zelensky was concerned that US President Joe Biden would not be able to lead international diplomatic support for Ukraine as the US presidential race is in full swing. . If the Republicans win next year’s US presidential election, they are considering a situation in which US leadership among Western allies will effectively collapse.
The United States is Ukraine’s largest arms donor. Earlier this year, while European allies, including Germany, were fighting over tank support, the U.S. decided to support its main battle tank, the Abrams, opening the way for heavy weapon support to Ukraine.
Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director of the Royal Combined Services Institute, a British security think tank, said, “As the US presidential election approaches, there is a growing prospect that the US promise will be shaken. It is leading to (President Zelensky’s) aspirations.”
According to Ukrainian and European officials, President Zelensky expects Europe to play a leading role in the diplomatic arena regarding the upcoming war in Ukraine. He said that he is wary of countries that have maintained close ties with Russia, such as China and Brazil, leading the establishment of a ‘peace plan’ or taking on the role of mediator.
Ukraine has been adamantly opposed to peace negotiations that would end the war while Russia occupied part of its territory. President Zelensky met with Pope Francis, who said he would play the role of a “mediator” between the two countries, and virtually rejected the Vatican’s mediation proposal, saying, “Please stand with Ukraine,” because he is extremely wary of starting peace negotiations without territorial recovery. do.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) speaks during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on June 14 (local time). Germany announced an additional military aid plan worth 2.7 billion euros to coincide with President Zelensky’s visit. EPA Yonhap News
The British Guardian analyzed in its column on the 15th that shed light on the changing role of Germany, which announced the largest amount of aid since the outbreak of the war, that “discussions in Europe, especially Germany, have become very important to Ukraine.” The Guardian said, “Zelensky sees China and France showing off diplomacy that does not match Ukraine’s position, and he is well aware that public opinion (against the war) in many countries is swaying.” The figure is coming into his field of vision.” It is said that former President Trump is concerned that his re-election success will change the US support stance.
President Zelensky said in a recent BBC interview that he hoped Ukraine would win this war before the US presidential election, saying, “Ukraine still has bipartisan support in the US Congress.” However, it is not a situation to be optimistic about. The New York Times reported that Republicans did not ask for additional financial aid for Ukraine after taking control of the House. On the same day, Politico, an American political magazine, reported that most of the Ukrainian support budget approved by the US Congress at the end of last year was exhausted, and that aid could be cut off this summer.
There are also voices calling for cuts in aid to Ukraine, led by hard-liners in the Republican Party. The Republican Party, which became the majority party in the House of Representatives in the November 8 midterm elections last year, has repeatedly expressed its intention to put a brake on the support of the Biden government, saying that there is no support in the form of a blank check in Ukraine. In February, a resolution was submitted to the House of Representatives, led by hard-line lawmakers, calling for an end to aid to Ukraine and a peace treaty.
The Guardian diagnosed that Germany’s role has become important for Ukraine in this situation. It is said that the view of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany, which prides itself on ‘reflection on the past’ and has been extremely reluctant to intervene in the war, has recently changed in the wake of the war in Ukraine. The newspaper said, “President Zelensky is well aware that there are only six to eight months left for a counteroffensive to expel Russia from Ukrainian territory.” I foresaw that it could be difficult.
#Zelensky #swept #nights #days #European #countries #reason #diplomatic #speed #battle #time
2023-05-16 07:10:00
