'We have a chance to win' thanks to weapons provided in new US aid package

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday thanked U.S. political leaders who approved an aid package for Ukraine over the weekend, saying the newfound support would give the country a chance to “win” as a nation. . protect yourself From Russia.

President Zelensky said: “I think this support will really strengthen our military. I'm praying. If Ukraine really gets the weapons systems that it really needs and that thousands of soldiers need, then we will have a chance to win.” It will be done,” he said. He spoke through an interpreter on NBC News' “Meet the Press.”

saturday house passed the bill Weeks after Senate provides $60.8 billion in aid to Ukraine passed a huge bill In addition to aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, funding will also be provided to strengthen border security. Speaker Mike Johnson chose not to bring a package of aid to the three countries to the floor, opting instead to pass three separate aid bills.

The House bill is expected to pass the Senate this week, something Zelenskiy has particularly pushed for.

“We really need to get this to the finish line. We need Senate approval,” he said Sunday.

“And we want to move things forward as quickly as possible so that our front-line soldiers can get concrete support as soon as possible, not in the next six months, so they can move forward. ” he added.

President Joe Biden said in a statement after the House passed the bill: “I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk, sign it into law, and respond to the urgent needs of Ukraine.” We request that weapons and equipment be sent as soon as possible.” It's necessary on the battlefield. ”

President Zelenskiy spoke about these urgent needs on Sunday, telling host Kristen Welker: Our weapons are not very long range. ”

“We need [that] And air defense. These are our priorities at the moment,” he added.

Asked whether this aid would help Ukraine win the war or merely prolong the war, President Zelenskiy told Welker: “It depends on when we actually put weapons on the ground.” “There is,” he said. As you said, Kristen, if we can get it done within six months, well, we've been stuck in the process for six months and lost money in several directions. Human losses and equipment losses. ”

“Now we have a chance to stabilize the situation and take the initiative. That's why we need to actually have weapons systems,” Zelenskiy added. “Giving the United States a specific timetable for war, it all depends on how quickly they can get this aid. There are so many variables, so many factors.”

Mr. Zelensky also responded. recent reports He said former President Donald Trump, if elected, would pressure Ukraine to surrender some territory to Russia in exchange for an end to the war.

He also expressed doubts that Putin would agree to and abide by such a settlement, telling Welker, “You can never trust Putin.”

“The strategy to end the war should be based not on what President Putin says or what some people in his inner circle say, but on something very concrete, something very concrete in an independent and democratic Ukraine.” Stated.

“I'm sure everyone is interested in it,” he added. “Political leaders, we also have an interest in making Ukraine independent, recognizing its sovereignty and making it democratic. That's interesting for both Republicans and Democrats.”

For several weeks, Mr. Zelenskiy expressed an urgent need The purpose is to provide weapons and supplies to keep Ukraine safe from Russian attacks.

In the months since U.S. aid to Ukraine expired, Ukraine's military supplies were depleted and the military was forced to withdraw from one of its major cities in the east. Avdiivka – During February.

Early this month, Russia was firing five shells for every one Ukrainian military fired.Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of European Command, told NBC News. He warned that without further aid, inequality could widen in the near future.

On Sunday, President Zelenskiy pushed aside complaints that the United States has spent too much money on the war and will continue to have to do so, telling Welker:[Americans] First and foremost, we must protect freedom and democracy across Europe. ”

“The US military does not have to fight to protect NATO countries right now. The Ukrainians are doing that. And what the civilized world is providing is just ammunition, which I think is a good decision,” he said. Told.