Zelensky Praises U.S. Support for Ukraine in Meeting with Blinken and Sullivan

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, on Tuesday, January 16, held discussions with two senior officials of the Biden administration, Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan, on defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United States on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In a statement on the social media platform 'X', Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the parties placed 'special emphasis' on the importance of air defense and long-range capabilities for Ukraine. During this meeting, the Ukrainian President informed Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, and Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, about the battlefield situation, the plans for the current calendar year, and the tools needed by Kyiv to achieve those plans. Ukraine is striving to increase its domestic military production to ensure sustainable supply lines and reduce dependence on foreign partners. Ukraine's Western allies are facing shortages of certain weapons and cannot fully meet Ukraine's battlefield needs. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, the parties emphasized that increased defense cooperation and joint production would lead to Ukraine's self-sufficiency while reducing reliance on military and financial aid from the West. Antony Blinken previously told Zelensky, 'We are determined to maintain our support and will work closely with Congress to do so. I know that our European partners are doing the same. Our decision is that even as you succeed militarily against this Russian onslaught, we will also help you build a Ukraine for the future, one that can stand strong on its own militarily, economically, and democratically. You have a strong partner in the United States to help achieve that.' Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to Joe Biden, the U.S. administration, and bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress, stating that continued support is crucial for Ukraine and its people to confront the 'bloody aggression' from Russia. Jake Sullivan also emphasized continued U.S. and allied support for Ukraine until victory in the war and the defeat of Russia. Source: Reuters, U.S. Department of State.