Against Russian War Attacks, 50 Western Countries Help Ukraine
- Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP.
VIVA – The Russia-Ukraine war has been going on for 10 months since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a massive military operation on February 24, 2022. The Ukraine-Russia war has left thousands of soldiers and civilians from both sides dead, and triggered the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.
It is estimated that nearly 8 million Ukrainians were displaced and left their country because of the war. Millions of Ukrainians are also experiencing an energy crisis as Russia attacks energy sources, and the country's power grid. Ukrainian cities were left without electricity and heat during the winter.
Fifty western countries help Ukraine
Presiden Ukraina Volodymyr Zelensky bertemu dengan Presiden AS, Joe Biden.
- AP Photo/Patrick Semansky.
Ukraine has taken back some Russian-occupied territory but will need more help to drive Russia back to peace. Zelensky has repeatedly asked Western countries for help with weapons and air cover against Russia.
"I ask you to strengthen overall efforts to help financially with the creation of an air shield for Ukraine. Millions of people will be grateful to the Group of Seven for such assistance," he said in a video address to G7 leaders, on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, while warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin "still has room for further escalation".
On Sunday, November 20, 2022, Russia launched its most intense missile barrage since the war began. Russia launched 400 strikes in eastern Ukraine. The fiercest fighting, as ever, took place in the Donetsk region.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Russia's latest attacks had revealed its "hatred and cruelty" since invading Ukraine on February 24.
More than 50 Western countries met in Brussels and pledged more arms aid to Ukraine, especially air defense systems. EU leaders agreed to provide 18 billion euros in financing to Ukraine next year and punished Moscow with the ninth package of sanctions.
The newest, President of US, Joe Biden announced the fourth delivery of arms aid to Ukraine worth US$1.8 billion on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Biden and the US Congress pledged to Zelensky, who was visiting Washington, to help Ukraine pursue a just peace.
