Unusual
Not only is it highly unusual for a president from a country at war to address the US parliament, it is also the first time President Zelensky has left the country since the war broke out. “It also shows how special American support for Ukraine is,” Colijn says. “He’s doing this to ensure America continues to support us into the coming year, especially with advanced anti-aircraft systems.”
A $44 billion support package was ready, the question arises whether Ukraine will actually receive it now that the parliament will take on a more republican face from January. “It will be a discussion in the US, I think everything will be fine, I hope so, Zelensky’s speech has some power,” Colijn says.
From Bachmut to Washington
Colijn gets only positive reactions to Zelensky’s visit from the Ukrainian media. ‘He Came straight from Bachmoet, the hardest spot on the front line. Bachmoet and Washington are the two places where war for Ukraine is decided. Zelensky sends a certain signal to his people: I know what it is like at the front and I will make sure we can win that battle now.’
According to Colijn, it is also a signal for Europe. ‘People in Ukraine know that the US is always a good partner, that’s where most of the money comes from. You have to negotiate with Europe, which is a bit more complicated, but you can always count on the Americans. His departure from his country is also a trait that Ukraine has the situation under control; it is quite safe after three hundred days of war to travel to the United States.’
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