Zelensky Urges Ukrainians to Take Initiative on War Path Against Russia

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, on Wednesday urged the people of his country to take the initiative in determining the course of the 22-month war against Russia and to garner global support. Zelensky made this request upon returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he met with several political and business leaders and called on the West to intensify sanctions against the Kremlin and increase support for Kyiv. A few months after Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia, which yielded limited results, Zelensky expressed confidence that U.S. aid to Ukraine, which has been delayed due to disagreements among U.S. congressional lawmakers, would soon be delivered. Additionally, promised EU aid to Ukraine has also been delayed. In his evening video address, he stated, 'Ukraine needs an ambitious and proactive vision so that the initiative is in our country and not in the hands of the enemy, and the end of the war should depend on Ukraine's actions.' He added, 'The world supports those who have a clear vision. This is a fundamental duty: to maintain the initiative so that we have the opportunity to strengthen ourselves.' Meanwhile, the U.S. President on Wednesday invited senior congressional leaders to the White House to emphasize Ukraine's security needs. After the meeting, which lasted over an hour, the Speaker of the House told reporters, 'We understand that there are concerns about the security and sovereignty of Ukraine, but the American people also have those same concerns about domestic security and border security.' A senior NATO official stated: Allies must be prepared for unexpected events in Ukraine. U.S. aid to Ukraine is at a standstill in Congress; Joe Biden invited lawmakers to the White House.