Here is the situation as it looks on Thursday, December 22.
Diplomacy
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the US Congress that aid to Ukraine was an investment in democracy and “not charity.” He invoked the American battles against the Nazis in World War II to demand more support for his country’s war effort.
- Zelenskyy told lawmakers in the House of Representatives that he hoped they would continue to support Ukraine bipartisan — an important point as the Republicans will take over a majority in the House of Representatives on January 3.
- Zelenskyy’s surprise visit to Washington, DC, was his first trip abroad since Russia invaded his country 300 days ago.
- The United States announced $1.85 billion in additional military support for Ukraine, including the transfer of the Patriot missile system.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that more Western arms deliveries to Ukraine would “aggravate” the conflict.
conflict
Die
- Russian forces attacked targets in the Zaporizhia region and pushed to advance near the battered cities of Bakhmut and Avdiivka on the Eastern Front, the focal point of fighting in the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian military said on Wednesday evening.
- Putin has promised to give his military everything it needs to wage war and has backed a plan to increase the armed forces by more than 30 percent.
- Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo reported a “significant electricity shortage” and restrictions due to rocket and drone attacks.
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