After Zelensky’s successful visit to Washington, US president Joe Biden confirmed a $2 billion aid package to Ukraine. But American help won’t stop there.
Only 24 hours after his arrival in Washington, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is going to Poland for another diplomatic summit. There, he will meet with president Duda, a fierce Ukrainian supporter and Russian adversary.
Zelensky is not leaving the USA empty-handed. His speech at the Congress solidified American support to his country, which had started wavering in recent months. “The longer the war lasts,” Zelensky said next to Joe Biden, “the longer this aggression lasts, there will be more parents who live for the sake of vengeance, or revenge.”
President Biden pledged to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes”. Soon after Zelensky’s departure, he confirmed another package of $2 billion in preparation for a much bigger one in 2023. Next year, Biden should be able to approve a $45 billion package to be sent to Ukraine.
Today’s support measure will include the sale of Patriot missiles, an anti-air system that will defend Ukrainian cities against Russian attacks. Such missiles were much needed by the Ukrainian population, targeted by Russian air strikes on civilian targets.
These measures come amid a €18 billion European loan that will help the reconstruction of destroyed civilian infrastructure. Volodymyr Zelensky has successfully managed to solidify alliances against the Russian enemy.
A possible reconquest of Crimea
But American help to Kyiv will not stop there. The USA already sent several billion dollars in weapons to Ukraine, which were used to repel Russia from some occupied territories. The reason for the sweep reconquests that took place in recent months was precisely the ceaseless use of American HIMARS.
Now, Kyiv’s high command is probably planning another offensive, possibly retaking new ground in the south. One of the final objectives of this campaign could be the reconquest of Crimea, the peninsula invaded by Russia in 2014.
Crimea is not an easy target for Ukraine, unless they will be sufficiently equipped by their allies. A former American commander, Ben Hodges, called for sending ATACMS missiles to Ukraine expecting a possible assault to Crimea.
“If the Ukrainians now had ATACMS long-range missiles,” Hodges said, “they could bomb every Russian headquarters, every transport hub or ammunition depot in Crimea right now, and that would make the peninsula unsuitable for the presence of Russian military forces.”
Basically, it would be a similar tactic to that used for the reconquest of Kherson. Instead of a frontal assault, it would be a tactical bombing of strategic military targets that will make the Russian position untenable.
Indeed, were Russia to lose the entire south, their whole position in Ukraine would be untenable as well. Perhaps, if such a reconquest were to take place, it would truly mean nearing close to the end.
