By KYIV. Nov 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the U.S. Congress to maintain military aid to Ukraine, telling lawmakers who are blocking a new aid package that the alternative is the risk of a possible Russian attack on one of the NATO countries, which would lead to the involvement of American soldiers, Bloomberg writes.
“If Russia will kill all of us, they will attack NATO countries and you will send your sons and daughters,” Zelenskyy said in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press to be broadcast Sunday. “And it will be – I’m sorry, but the price will be higher.”
Zelenskyy urged Congress “not to lose the will, not to lose this strong position and not to lose your democracy.”
The president restated his conviction that the fight to reverse Russian invasion and occupation of parts of Ukraine puts the country at the front line for western democracy, Europe and “our common values.” His scenario for the consequences of any Russian move on a NATO country alluded to the alliance’s collective defense clause, the publication reports.
Zelenskyy rebuffed suggestions that his military’s push to retake Russian-occupied territory is at a stalemate. He restated his stance that any peace talks would require a Russian withdrawal.
“Yeah, people are tired,” he told NBC. “But on the whole, our people are ready to defend, like in the first days.”
