Ukraine updates: US aid delays fulfill Putin's 'dreams'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy started his visit to the US by meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown at the US National Defense University.

"We discussed global security challenges, frontline developments, and further US-Ukraine defense cooperation," Zelenskyy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In a speech to an audience of US officers at the National Defense University, he made an impassioned plea for continued US military support, warning that failure to help his country defeat the Russian invasion would fulfill the Kremlin's "dreams" of destroying democracy in Europe.

Zelenskyy, in an apparent reference to disputes in Congress over allocating aid, said it was "crucial that politics ... not betray the soldiers."

"Let me be frank with you, friends. If there's anyone inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill, it's just Putin and his sick clique," he added.

"We won't give up. We know what to do and you can count on Ukraine. And we hope just as much to be able to count on you," Zelenskyy said.

Austin, who introduced the Ukrainian president, said America's commitment to Ukraine is unshakeable and supporting the war is critical to ensuring the security of the US and its allies. "Despite his crimes and despite his isolation, Putin still believes that he can outlast Ukraine and that he can outlast America. But he is wrong," Austin said to applause.

"America's commitments must be honored. America's security must be defended. And America's word must be kept," he added.

Zelenskyy was due to meet Tuesday with President Joe Biden and congressional leaders from both parties, including Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.

The largest cargo crossing point between Ukraine and Poland reopened despite a monthlong blockade by Polish haulers, following a decision by local authorities who withdrew permission to protest.

Truck traffic at four border crossings has been paralyzed since November by Polish truckers demanding the reintroduction of entry permits to the European Union for their Ukrainian competitors.

But on Monday, the local authorities in Dorohusk announced they were canceling their consent for protests at the checkpoint, citing the toll the demonstrations were taking on other Polish companies.

Kyiv confirmed the Dorohusk crossing point between Ukraine and Poland had been reopened. "The blockade of the Yahodyn-Dorogusk (sic) checkpoint is over. Stable truck traffic has been restored since 2:00 pm (1200 GMT)," Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on social media.

"The blocking of the largest cargo crossing point lasted for more than a month," he said, adding that several trucks had already begun crossing from both sides of the border. 

The EU waived entry permits for Ukrainian haulers following Russia's invasion to ease the flow of goods in and out the war-torn country. But the Polish truckers say it led to "unfair competition" from Ukrainian firms and caused a slump in their earnings.

The protesters want the permit system reinstated and a simplification of procedures for the Polish trucks leaving Ukraine to return home.

Ukraine's Western supporters must send a clear signal that military aid for the country's battle against the ongoing Russian invasion will continue over the long-term, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. Scholz's remarks on Monday come days before a major EU summit.

"It is important, especially in this situation, that we signal to Ukraine together in Europe and far beyond that it can rely on our help," Scholz said at a joint press conference in Berlin with outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Scholz said such a signal would also send an important message of resolve to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The war in Ukraine will likely drag on for a long time, said Scholz: "That is why it is also important to formulate a long-term perspective, that we are prepared to support Ukraine for as long as necessary — and to the extent required."

Putin is counting on declining support from the West for Ukraine as part of his strategy in the invasion, Scholz said. "It would be an important message if we told him: 'Don't count on it, we are prepared to do what is necessary for as long as it takes." .

European leaders are set to decide during the summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday whether to open formal negotiations with Ukraine about joining the EU. However, Hungary has threatened to veto the decision, which must be made unanimously.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged EU states to decide in favor of opening accession talks with Kyiv as war-torn Ukraine is faced with dwindling support.

A decision against membership negotiations by EU leaders later this week would have "devastating consequences" and would be "highly demotivational" for the people of Ukraine, Kuleba said, as he arrived for a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels.

He stressed that Ukraine is well on track to fulfill the required criteria on fighting corruption and improving minority rights for taking the next hurdle on the lengthy road to membership.

"We also expect the European Union to make a decision that will appreciate the effort made by Ukraine," Kuleba said. EU leaders are required to decide unanimously.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who boasts about his ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has however threatened to stop enlargement talks. Orbán argues that a decision on enlargement talks would be premature as Ukraine currently has not yet fully met all requirements laid out last year to start discussions.

Britain said it would transfer two Royal Navy minehunter ships to the Ukrainian Navy, as it sets up a new maritime defense coalition alongside Norway to help strengthen Ukraine's sea operations.

Britain said the two Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels will enable Ukraine to better counter the threat from Russian sea mines, aiming to restore Ukraine's export routes via the Black Sea.

The transfer of the vessels was announced alongside the launch of the Maritime Capability Coalition set up by Britain and Norway to improve Ukraine's navy to make it more compatible with western allies and increase security in the Black Sea.

"This capability boost marks the beginning of a new dedicated effort by the UK, Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime capabilities over the long term," British Defense Minister Grant Shapps said in a statement.

Russian troops have begun a new massive offensive to take the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka as part of its efforts to strengthen its grip on the eastern Donbas region, the Ukrainian military says.

The town, just northwest of the city of Donetsk, is a key stronghold for Ukraine and is the site of an important coking plant.

"The enemy launched yesterday massive assault actions with the support of armored vehicles in Avdiivka and Mariinka directions," military spokesperson Oleksandr Stupun told a Ukrainian television broadcast.

The front lines in eastern Ukraine have barely moved in in recent weeks, but the fighting has been intense, Stupun said, adding that there had been 610 artillery shelling near Avdiivka in the past 24 hours alone.

The small town of Avdiivka now has only about 1,500 people left out of its pre-war population of some 32,000. Russia launched a renewed bid to capture Avdiivka more than two months ago and Moscow's forces have been inching forward on the flanks to try to cut supply lines.

The struggle is reminiscent of the battle to take another eastern city, Bakhmut, which Russian forces took in May after months of brutal urban combat.

Russia's presidential election next March will include the four Ukrainian regions that it annexed last year, Moscow said on Monday.

According to the state-rune Interfax news agency, Russia's Central Elections Commissions said that voting would go ahead in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, despite Russia not having full control over the regions.

Ukrainian previously said that any Russian vote in the four regions would be considered null and void and has threatened to prosecute any observers to travel there to monitor the voting.

With key opposition leaders jailed or exiled, Russian President Vladimir Putin faces no serious competition in the election and is expected to easily win.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says it would be "devastating" for both Ukraine and the European Union if EU leaders do not give the nod to his country for membership talks at a summit later this week.

"I cannot imagine, I don't even want to talk about the devastating consequences that will occur shall the [European] Council fail to make this decision," Kuleba said as he arrived in Brussels for a meeting with the bloc's foreign ministers.

"We also expect the European Union to make a decision that will appreciate the effort made by Ukraine," Kuleba said.

EU leaders are required to decide unanimously, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly said he is against opening talks.

Ukraine's air force said on Monday that it shot down eight Russian missiles headed for Kyiv on Monday. 

"The Russian invaders launched a missile attack on Kyiv region" at about 4:00 am local time (0200 GMT), Ukraine's air force said, adding that "air defense destroyed eight air targets that were flying in the direction of the capital."

The debris from the shot down weapons fell onto several districts, injuring four people and damaging a residential building, Ukrainian officials said.

"Medics provided them with help on the spot," said Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko in a statement on Telegram.

"Also, a missile fragment was found on the territory of a warehouse in Darnytskyi district. There was no fire or damage to the building," it added. 

US President Joe Biden invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, amid efforts from Republicans to stall military aid to Ukraine.

The White House in a statement on Sunday said the two leaders will discuss the "urgent needs" facing Ukraine. 

"Volodymyr Zelenskyy will focus on ensuring unity among the United States, Europe and the world in supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian terror and strengthening the international order based on rules and respect for the sovereignty of each nation," the Ukrainian president's office said in a statement.

Zelenskyy was also invited to address US senators on Tuesday in the Capitol, a Senate leadership aide told Reuters news agency on Sunday.

The government in Washington has said that the funds previously approved for Ukraine will be completely exhausted by the end of the year. 

However, the release of new US aid is currently being caught up in a domestic political row between Democrats and Republicans, as more and more Republicans express doubt about funding Ukraine's defense. 

dvv/wmr (AFP, dpa, Reuters)