Ukraine needs urgent backing, says Biden
US President Joe Biden emphasized the critical need for support for Ukraine, following Russia’s recent aggressive attack. He highlighted that the latest offensive serves as a stark reminder of the urgency in backing the people of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
“This attack is outrageous and serves as yet another reminder of the urgency and importance of supporting the Ukrainian people in their defence against Russian aggression,” Biden stated.
Russia launched a significant assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, deploying almost 200 missiles and drones in a move described by Biden as “outrageous,” resulting in over a million people losing access to power.
“On this day, my message to the Ukrainian people is clear: the United States stands with you,” Biden added, as he seeks to solidify American support for Ukraine during his final weeks in office.
The mood in Washington anticipates a shift in policy under the incoming Trump administration, which is expected to take office in January. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine has received nearly $60 billion in military aid from the US.
Trump has indicated plans to bring a swift end to the conflict, proposing to mediate a ceasefire between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, critics express concerns that Trump may leverage U.S. military support to pressure Kyiv into unfavorable agreements, potentially involving the loss of occupied territory or restrictions on Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
Recently, Trump appointed retired General Keith Kellogg as his Ukraine envoy, who previously advocated for using U.S. military aid as leverage in negotiations.
In a related development, President Vladimir Putin threatened to target “decision-making centres” within Kyiv using new hypersonic missiles, following the missile barrage that crippled Ukraine’s energy grid. “We do not rule out the use of Oreshnik against military, military-industrial or decision-making centres, including in Kyiv,” Putin stated, reaffirming that any actions would prompt a response from Russia.
Putin appeared optimistic about Trump’s potential second term, referring to him as an “intelligent person” capable of finding a “solution,” although he did not clarify the nature of this “solution.”
In the aftermath of the missile assault, over half a million residents in the western Lviv region were left without electricity. Ukrainian President Zelensky urged allied nations to respond decisively to Russia’s “blackmail,” advocating for a firm stance against such threats.
“Any blackmail by Russia must be met with a firm response,” Zelensky declared in his daily address via social media.
The situation escalated further on Friday when Ukraine reported that Russia launched over a hundred drones overnight, leading to injuries for at least eight individuals amidst an ongoing wave of attacks against the country. This series of assaults includes a recent incident where around 90 missiles hit Ukraine, disrupting power to over a million people.
According to Ukraine’s air force, a total of 132 drones were deployed by Russia, with 88 successfully intercepted and 41 lost, presumably due to defensive countermeasures. The outcome for the remaining drones remains unspecified. Drones were targeted and destroyed across more than a dozen regions, including areas above the southern region of Odesa.
