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☆ Inside the White House’s monthslong push for Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Sullivan followed up four days later with a call to Johnson to highlight the measures in place to track aid in Ukraine. They spoke often with Johnson’s staff, including meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, Ricchetti and Goff spoke with Schumer and Jeffries and their staff almost daily to strategize on how to push Ukraine aid forward. Biden and Johnson spoke by phone the next day as the speaker briefed him on his plan to move the aid package forward. “We discussed the contents of the next US military aid package,” Zelensky said.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Johnson –, speakership, Biden, Johnson, Vladimir Putin, Jake Sullivan, Shalanda Young, Sullivan, Taiwan –, Hamas, Putin, ” Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, “, ”, Steve Ricchetti, Richetti, Shuwanza Goff, Ricchetti, Goff, Jeff Zients, Schumer, Jeffries, Young, McConnell, Michael McCaul, Intelligence Michael Turner, Bill Burns, Ukraine Bridget Brink, Chip Roy, Texas, Ralph Norman of, Biden’s, Anita Dunn, Jon, Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Donald Trump’s, Burns, ” Zelensky Organizations: Washington CNN, Ukraine, White House, GOP, Management, Senate, Biden, Russia, House Democratic, White, Capitol, House Foreign, Intelligence, CIA, Republican, The Defense Department, House Republicans, National Intelligence, Democratic, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Ricchetti, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Washington ,, Johnson’s

☆ ‘Our artillery is starving:’ Ukraine holds its breath as US set to approve $60bn of military aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Andy Carey | Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Ukraine aid bill, passed in the United States’ House of Representatives on Saturday, is now due to go to the Senate on Tuesday. At the top: artillery shells and air defense systems. “To win, we need ammunition… our artillery is starving,” an artillery reconnaissance commander with the 110th mechanized brigade, callsign “Teren,” told CNN after the vote on Saturday. While Ocheretyne itself is of no strategic value, it sits on a ridge, making it a desirable military target. “We need front-line air defense as much as we need protection for our cities and villages,” Zelensky said.

Persons: Joe Biden, ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, Teren, Velyka, Patrick Ryder, we’ve, Mark Warner, Chasiv Yar, Rob Lee, Russian Su, Anatolii Stepanov, ” Zelensky, Dmytro Kuleba, ” Kuleba, CNN’s Andy Carey, Victoria Butenko, Daria Tarasova, Svitlana Vlasova Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, United States ’, 110th, CNN, Ukraine’s Eastern Command, Pentagon, US Department of Defense, Senate Intelligence, CBS News, Sunday, –, Kremlin, Nazi, Getty, Patriot, Tactical Missile Systems, Warner, US, Ukrainian Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, United, Russian, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Germany, Poland, Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk, Chasiv, Nazi Germany, AFP

“Thank you, America!” Zelensky wrote on his Telegram on Saturday, shortly after the House of Representatives passed the long-delayed Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act by a vote of 311-112. The bill was part of a wider $95 billion package providing foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the House passed the Israel Security Supplemental with a vote of 366-58. Lawmakers wave Ukrainian flags after the House passed the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. “For people who want to defeat the enemy, this news is a great morale booster.”He went on: “To win, we need ammunition … we really need artillery shells because we have an artillery hunger.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Mahmoud Abbas, Joe Biden, “, Dmytro Kuleba, Vladimir Putin, ” Kuleba, Maria Zakharova, Dmytro Kurylovich, Bankir Organizations: CNN, Israel, Palestinian, Senate, Getty, Russian Foreign, 110th, National Guard, Artillery, “ Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Russia, Europe, United States, “, Taiwan, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Avdiivka, Russian

CNN —A Russian missile strike killed and injured more than 70 people in the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine – an attack that could have been prevented if Ukraine was provided with better air defenses, President Volodomyr Zelensky said. At least 14 people were killed in the strike and 61 others were injured, including two children, Ukraine’s emergency services said. Russia’s strike comes after Zelensky has for months warned that Ukraine lacks the air defenses necessary to protect its skies. “This would not have happened if Ukraine had received a sufficient number of air defense systems and if the world’s determination to counter Russian terror had been sufficient,” Zelensky said. There must be equally sufficient determination from our partners and, as a result, sufficient support.”More than 70 people were killed and injured in the Russian strike.

Persons: Volodomyr Zelensky, Alina Mykolayets, Russia’s, Zelensky, ” Zelensky, “, Valentyn Ogirenko Organizations: CNN, Reuters, PBS Locations: Russian, Chernihiv, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia

CNN —A lack of air defenses meant Ukraine was powerless to prevent a Russian airstrike last week that destroyed the biggest power plant in Kyiv region, President Volodomyr Zelensky said. Russia fired 11 missiles towards the Trypilska power plant, Zelensky said. We ran out of all missiles,” Zelensky told PBS NewsHour in an interview that aired Monday. Zelensky questioned why Israel has enjoyed such comprehensive support from NATO members despite not being a member of the alliance. The NATO allies, including NATO countries, have been defending Israel.

Persons: Volodomyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Zelenksy, Iran’s, wouldn’t, ”, Israel, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Anna Rose Layden Organizations: CNN, PBS, House Republicans, NATO, Conference, “ Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Ukrainian, United States, Israel, Iran, Jordanian, Taiwan, Washington ,

☆ Zelensky says he will listen to Trump’s ideas to end war ‘with pleasure’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Lauren Said-Moorhouse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would listen to former US President Donald Trump’s ideas to end the war in Ukraine with “pleasure” but trod carefully around the issue during an interview at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece. I haven’t heard that directly from Trump,” Zelensky told CNN’s Senior Correspondent Fred Pleitgen via video link from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky is pictured speaking from Ukraine during an interview with CNN’s Fred Pleitgen, who is at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky inspects new fortifications for Ukrainian servicemen near the Russian border in the Kharkiv region on Tuesday. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout/Reuters“I’d like to underscore that no Western weapons were used to attack in such a way.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump’s, ” Zelensky, CNN’s, Fred Pleitgen, “, Zelensky, Trump, Ukraine “, ”, The Trump, “ There’s, he’s, CNN’s Fred Pleitgen, Pleitgen, Vladimir Putin’s, Putin’s, Reuters “, Oleksandr Prokudin, Ukrenergo Organizations: CNN, Delphi, Republican, German, Wednesday, Trump, Russia, West, Presidential Press Service, Reuters, Ukraine’s Defense Forces of Locations: Ukraine, Greece, Ukrainian, Russia, Trump, Delphi, Zelensky, “, Kharkiv, Western, Russian, Odesa, Mykolayiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv

☆ Ukraine ‘will lose the war’ if US aid not approved, says Zelensky
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Christian Edwards | Maria Kostenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ukraine “will lose the war” if the United States Congress does not approve military aid to help it resist Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “It’s important to specifically address the Congress: if the Congress doesn’t help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war,” Zelensky said Sunday during a video meeting of the Ukrainian fund-raising group UNITED24. “If Ukraine loses this war, other countries will be attacked. Zelensky previously told CNN that “millions” could die in Ukraine’s war with Russia if US lawmakers do not approve the aid package. There’s certain weapons systems, certain logistical support which the European countries simply cannot provide to Ukraine” such as air defense systems, he said.

Persons: Ukraine “, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ” Zelensky, ”, Mike Johnson, Zelensky, Ukraine’s, Russia –, –, Anton Shtuka, Franz, Stefan Gady, Gady, UNITED24 ’ Organizations: CNN, United States Congress, Senate, Getty, International Institute for Strategic Studies Locations: Ukraine, “, Kyiv, Russia, Israel, Moscow, Avdiivka, Kharkiv, AFP, ”, Washington, Ukrainian

☆ Zelensky signs law expanding draft age as Ukraine struggles to beef up its military
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Xiaofei Xu | Yulia Kesaieva | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The Ukrainian Parliament passed the measure in May 2023 but Zelensky had not signed it into law until Tuesday. Firstly, men are drafted into military service. The law signed by Zelensky on Tuesday lowers the age they can be drafted to 25, but leaves the mobilization age at 27, However, the Ukrainian Parliament is also considering a bill that would reduce the mobilization age to 25. Disagreement regarding the draft age is believed to be one of the reasons why Zelensky fired Zaluzhnyi in February of 2024. But Zelensky previously said he would agree to a law to mobilize younger Ukrainian men, if it was “really” needed.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, –, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Zaluzhnyi, ” Zelensky Organizations: CNN, Zelensky, United Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Russia

☆ War-battered Ukraine celebrates soccer team’s ‘crucial victory’ to reach Euro 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( James Legge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ukraine’s soccer team qualified for this summer’s European Championships with a come-from-behind win over Iceland, a rare moment of joy for the country more than two years into Russia’s invasion. Coach Sergiy Rebrov’s players made a ring around the center circle to lead the fans in a ‘Viking thunder clap’, the celebration made famous by their defeated opponents Iceland at Euro 2016. Ukraine finished third in their qualifying group, behind England and Italy, but beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in an earlier play-off to set up the decisive clash with Iceland. Russia will not be taking part, having been banned by European governing body UEFA because of the invasion. Ukraine will play in Group E of Euro 2024, along with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania, and face the prospect of taking to the continental stage while war rages back home.

Persons: Mykhailo Mudryk, Mudryk, Sergiy, Albert Gudmundsson, Viktor Tsyhankov’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Zelensky, Oleksandr Zinchenko Organizations: CNN, Chelsea, Iceland, Ukraine, “, UEFA Locations: Iceland, Wroclaw, Poland, Ukraine, England, Italy, Bosnia, Herzegovina, “ Ukraine, Germany, Europe, Russia, Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Avdiivka, Western, Israel, Gaza

☆ Zelensky: Russian missile strike hits near Ukraine and Greek leaders in Odesa
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A Russian missile struck Odesa on Wednesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in the Black Sea port city with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Zelensky was not wounded but said he was close enough to have seen and heard the strike and confirmed a number of people had been killed and injured. “We saw this strike today. You can see who we are dealing with, they don’t care where they strike. I know that there were victims today, I don’t know all the details yet, but I know that there are dead and wounded,” Zelensky said from Odesa on Wednesday.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Zelensky, “, ” Zelensky Organizations: CNN, Greek Locations: Russian, Black, Odesa, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a defining dilemma on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson has the fate of a democracy and a people in his hands. It’s not the United States, which will survive – even if the coming general election results in another existential test for the constitutional system. Johnson, a backbencher who was the last-ditch choice to lead the mutinous House GOP majority last year, could relieve Ukraine’s agony and help ensure its survival as an independent nation in the coming days. Nothing can be guaranteed in a fractious Congress, with a House GOP majority that has rendered the United States close to ungovernable and is threatening America’s global leadership role. And history is watching whether Speaker Johnson will put that bill on the floor.

Persons: Mike Johnson, It’s, Johnson, Vladimir Putin, –, Donald Trump, speakership, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, McCarthy, Hakeem Jeffries, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer —, ”, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Putin, ” Trump, Trump, Biden, ” Rep, Byron Donalds of, ” Zelensky, “, ” Johnson, David Cameron, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Radoslaw Sikorski, ” Sikorski, CNN’s “ Fareed Zakaria, Seth Moulton of, Xi, ” Moulton, Frederick Kagan Organizations: CNN —, GOP, Pentagon, Democratic Senate, White, Trump, Republican, Democratic, Ukraine, ” Biden, Biden, Washington, Democrats, House Republicans, ”, CNN, British, ” Democratic, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, CNN News Central, NATO, American Enterprise Institute Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Louisiana, Western, Moscow, ungovernable, “ State, America, America’s, Byron Donalds of Florida, Zelensky, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, British, Asia, Taiwan, Japan, China, Ukrainian

☆ Zelensky says Trump doesn’t understand Putin because he has never fought him
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | Kaitlan Collins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Kyiv, Ukraine CNN —Former US President Donald Trump will be “against Americans” if he chooses to support Russia over Ukraine, the war-torn country’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday. Speaking to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in Kyiv, Zelensky said he “can’t understand how Donald Trump can be on the side of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.”“It’s unbelievable,” he added. Zelensky said that he believed Trump — who also claimed he would end the conflict in one day if elected — did not understand Putin’s goals. “I think Donald Trump doesn’t know Putin,” Zelensky said. “He doesn’t understand it, of course, God bless you don’t have the war on your territory.”

Persons: Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Zelensky, Vladimir, Putin, ”, Trump, —, “, Donald Trump doesn’t, ” Zelensky, “ we’ve, Avdiivka, Joe Biden’s, Ukraine’s, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Mike Johnson, Biden, …, I’m, Collins, JD Vance, Vance “ Organizations: Ukraine CNN — Former, Republican, South Carolina Republican, CNN, EU, European Union, “, Kyiv, Russia, Republicans Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Avdiivka

☆ Why Zelensky’s plea will fall on many deaf Republican ears
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —There is a simple reason why many Republicans will snub Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s desperate plea for billions of dollars in arms and ammunition. He told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in an interview in Kyiv Sunday that Republicans such as Trump ally Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance – who have been speaking out against more Ukraine aid – do not comprehend the stakes of the conflict. How Trump transformed the GOPThe Ukraine war funding showdown highlights how America’s domestic politics are already reverberating around the globe. The splits in the GOP over Ukraine were exposed last week when 26 Senate Republicans voted against the bill containing Israel and Ukraine aid while 22 backed it.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, It’s, Zelensky, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance –, –, ” Zelensky, Trump, Mitch McConnell, Vladimir Putin, Putin –, III, Biden –, Putin, Alexey Navalny, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, Bush, Matt Gaetz, ” Trump, Mike Johnson –, Biden, Johnson, ” Jake Sullivan, CNN’s Dana, •, • There’s, Vance, ” Vance, ’ ”, ” Zelensky –, CNN’s Collins, Avdiivka –, he’s Organizations: CNN, America, Republican, Kyiv Sunday, Trump, Ohio, GOP, NATO, Party, Trump Republicans, Conservative Political, Florida, Ukraine, White, Ukraine –, Munich, Conference, Republicans Locations: Europe, Russia, United States, Ukraine, Kyiv, Soviet, Washington, America, Mexico, “ State, South Carolina, European, China, Taiwan, Avdiivka, Israel, There’s

☆ Zelensky warns ‘millions will be killed’ without US aid to Kyiv, as Ukrainian troop deaths reach at least 31,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Stephanie Halasz | Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —“Millions” could die in Ukraine’s war with Russia if US lawmakers don’t approve President Joe Biden’s $60 billion aid request for Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN on Sunday. Zelensky’s warning came just hours after the Ukrainian leader made a rare admission of troop losses, saying that about 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed so far in the conflict, during a conference in Kyiv. Addressing the conference, Zelensky disputed Russian claims of much higher numbers when it comes to Ukrainian casualties. 31,000 Ukrainians, Ukrainian soldiers, died in this war. Not 150,000, whatever (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is lying with,” Zelensky said.

Persons: CNN —, Joe Biden’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, J.D, Vance, Zelensky, Vance “, It’s, ” Zelensky, “, Vladimir, Putin, ”, Oleksiy Reznikov, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Zelensky’s, Andy Carey, Madalena Araujo Organizations: CNN, Russian, ” CNN, Ukraine Defense, Congress, Republicans, ” Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, United States, Switzerland

CNN —President Joe Biden, in a call Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, directly tied Ukraine’s withdrawal from the key town of Avdiivka to Congress’ inability to pass further aid for the country’s effort to fend off Russia’s invasion. “This morning, Ukraine’s military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia’s first notable gains in months. President Biden emphasized the need for Congress to urgently pass the national security supplemental funding bill to resupply Ukrainian forces,” according to a White House readout of the call. Earlier this week, the Senate passed with bipartisan support a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill, which includes $60 billion to support Ukraine. The withdrawal from Avdiivka marks the biggest gain for Moscow since it captured the city of Bakhmut last year.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, Biden, Alexey Navalny’s, Mike Johnson, Adrienne Watson, Kamala Harris, Zelensky, Harris, ” Harris, ”, ” Zelensky, “ Hatred, ” Biden, it’s, they’re Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, National Security, Munich, Representatives, White, Moscow Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Germany, United States, Russia, Bakhmut

☆ Zelensky pleads for help to plug ‘artificial’ weapons deficit amid signs of Russia seizing advantage
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Maria Kostenko | Manveena Suri | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed partner nations for more military assistance to Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference in Germany Saturday, amid signs of the war turning in Russia’s favour. His plea came soon after Ukrainian forces announced their withdrawal from the key eastern town of Avdiivka. “It is essential to unblock the sky…Where there are air defense systems, Russia immediately withdrew because they were losing aircraft. Real world,” Zelensky said. Last year, Zelensky opened the Munich Security Conference with an impassioned video address pleading for faster weapons to repel Russian forces.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin, ” Zelensky, ”, Zelensky, Jose Colon, Donald Trump, “, Kamala Harris, ” Harris Organizations: CNN, Munich, Ukrainian, Republicans, Wednesday, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Russian Federation, Republican Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Avdiivka, Europe, Donetsk Oblast, Russia, Instagram ., Munich, United States

“I’ll pay for travel and accommodation.”A resident of Avdiivka, Ukraine, near destroyed buildings on February 14. Other footage collected by Ukrainian units shows scenes of devastation, with high-rise buildings covered in holes from the constant Russian barrages. Ukrainian servicemen of the 47th Mechanized Brigade prepare for combat in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, near to Avdiivka, on February 11, 2024. CNN cannot independently verify the claim, though recent combat footage geolocated to the town suggests Russia continues to suffer heavy losses even while it makes territorial gains there. “Our soldiers are demonstrating unprecedented heroism.”Vasco Cotovio wrote in London, Olga Voitovych and Svietlana Vlasova reported from Kyiv, Ukraine.

Persons: ”, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Rustem, ” Syrskyi, “, Syrskyi, He’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Maksym Zhorin, It’s, Zhorin, ‘ I’m, “ I’m, Kostiantyn, there’s, Avdiivka, Trump, Putin, Jens Stoltenberg, ” Stoltenberg, Genya Savilov, Andrii, ” Vasco Cotovio, Olga Voitovych, Svietlana Vlasova Organizations: CNN, Ukraine’s Defense, Separate, Brigade, —, Russian, Kyiv falters, United, NATO, 47th Mechanized Brigade, Bradley, Getty, 3rd Brigade Locations: Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Ukraine, Moscow, Donetsk city, Bakhmut, Russia, Kherson, Donetsk, Brussels, Hungary, Washington, Kyiv, United States, AFP, ”, London

CNN —Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram that the released prisoners had returned to Ukraine. Last week, Ukraine and Russia exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in what the Ukrainian government called the “second major exchange after a long break.”It was the first exchange since the mysterious crash of a Russian IL-76 plane on January 24 in Russia’s Belgorod region, which neighbors eastern Ukraine. Moscow claimed the plane was transporting dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war, while Kyiv said it was carrying Russian missiles to be used in further strikes on Ukraine. Zelensky said 207 Ukrainian service members were returned on Wednesday, while the Russian Defense Ministry said 195 Russian military personnel had been received.

Persons: KSHPPV, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Zelensky Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Armed Forces, United Arab Emirates, Russian Ministry of Defence, Russian Air Force, Russian Defense Ministry Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Azovstal, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russian, Russia’s Belgorod, Moscow, Kyiv

Kyiv, Ukraine CNN —President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the dismissal of Ukraine’s top commander, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, in the biggest military shakeup since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion almost two years ago. Oleksandr Syrskyi will become Ukraine's new military chief, in a consequential move by Zelensky. Launched last June, Ukraine’s counteroffensive in particular aimed to push south towards the Sea of Azov, splitting Russia’s forces in two and cutting its land bridge to Crimea. Despite the failure of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, the now-former military chief remains one of the most popular leaders in the country. With Ukraine’s independence in 1991, he rose through the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces becoming a Major General in 2009.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Zelensky, Zaluzhnyi, “, ” Zelensky, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zaluzhnyi –, –, , ”, Syrskyi Organizations: Ukraine CNN, Armed Forces, Ukrainian Land Forces, CNN, Economist, Zelensky, Ukraine’s, Kyiv Institute of Sociology, Analysts, Soviet Union Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Azov, Crimea, Orikhiv, Tokmak, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Soviet, Moscow, Ukrainian

☆ Zelensky considers a major shakeup of Ukraine’s leadership, beyond expected ouster of military chief
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Pierre Meilhan | Andrew Carey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Zelensky did not offer clarify who would be replaced, but his comments come amid speculation over the future of army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The army chief had suggested that the drafting of up to half a million additional soldiers was required, which Zelensky resisted. That operation began in June and was aimed at driving Russian forces back from the territories they have occupied since 2022, particularly in the south of the country. Zalzhnyi’s ouster would also be a politically risky move for Zelensky, given the general’s immense popularity has survived counteroffensive’s failure. A poll published by the Kyiv Institute of Sociology in December found 88% of Ukrainians supported the army chief compared to 62% for the President.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, ” Zelensky, Valerii, Zaluzhnyi, Republicans hewing, Donald Trump, Serhiy Nykyforov, Zalzhnyi, Zalzhnyi’s, CNN’s Joshua Berlinger Organizations: CNN, RAI, European Union, Republicans, Kyiv Institute of Sociology Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Orikhiv, Azov, Crimea, Zaluzhnyi, European, Washington

CNN —Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war, in the first such swap since the deadly crash of a Russian military plane that Moscow claimed was carrying 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers. Wednesday’s exchange was the first since the mysterious crash of a Russian IL-76 plane on January 24 in Russia’s Belgorod region, which neighbors eastern Ukraine. But Ukraine’s intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said there was still no reliable information as to who might have been on board the downed Russian plane. Speaking after Wednesday’s prisoner exchange, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the IL-76 plane had been downed by a US Patriot missile system. Putin stressed that Russia would not halt prisoner exchanges despite the plane crash.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, Andriy Yusov, Yusov, Petro Yatsenko, Kyrylo Budanov, Vladimir Putin, ” Putin, Putin, “, Andriy Yermak Organizations: CNN, Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Social Media, Ukraine’s, US Patriot, American Patriot, Patriot, Russia’s Defense Ministry Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Moscow, Mariupol, Ukrainian, Russia’s Belgorod, Kyiv, Belgorod, Yablonovo, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Kherson, Sumy

On Monday, presidential spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov told CNN and others that rumors of the army chief’s dismissal were untrue. Two names in particular are being discussed as possible successors, one of the sources, a senior military commander, told CNN. The other frontrunner is Oleksandr Syrskyi, currently the Commander of Ukrainian Land Forces, the senior military commander speaking to CNN said. Zelensky did not openly criticize Zaluzhny, but told a live news conference in December: “I am waiting for very concrete things on the battlefield. One soldier contacted by CNN currently fighting around Avdiivka in the east said any decision to dismiss Zaluzhny was a mistake.

Persons: Ukraine CNN —, Valery Zaluzhny, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zaluzhny, Serhiy Nykyforov, “, Zelensky, –, Rustem Umerov, ” Zelensky, Kyrylo, Budanov, Oleksandr Syrskyi, ” Zaluzhny, ” Ihor Zhovkva, ”, ’ Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, Zelensky, Economist, Defense, Defense Intelligence, Ukrainian Land Forces, Kyiv Institute of Sociology, ” Reuters Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Orikhiv, Azov, Crimea, Tokmak, Avdiivka

☆ ‘Very dangerous’: Zelensky on Trump’s claim he could end Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Andrew Carey | Victoria Butenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Kyiv CNN —For the first time, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed publicly unequivocal concern over Donald Trump’s suggestion he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within a day if he returns to the White House. Speaking to Britain’s Channel Four News in an interview that aired Friday, the Ukrainian president described the Republican frontrunner’s boast as “very dangerous” – on the grounds that Trump has not said what his post-war scenario would look like. Ukraine’s ability to negotiate toward that result has been significantly weakened, at least in the short term, by the failure of the summer counteroffensive. Turning to address the camera, he said, “Please, Donald Trump, I invite you to Ukraine, to Kyiv. If you can stop the war during 24 hours, I think it will be [reason] enough to come.”“Maybe Donald Trump really has some idea, a real idea, and he can share it with me,” Zelensky added, returning to face the interviewer.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Zelensky, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, ”, Vladimir Putin, Collins, “, ” Zelensky, Stringer, Putin, Biden, Donald Trump Organizations: CNN —, Channel Four, Republican, Democrats, Trump, Kyiv, NATO, ” Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzhia region, Davos, Crimea, Kyiv

Lawmakers have conveyed as much directly to the White House, a US official told CNN. Biden met with House and Senate lawmakers at the White House on Wednesday to outline what is at stake for Ukraine. House Speaker Mike Johnson makes a statement alongside Reps. Mike Turner, Mike Rogers and Mike McCaul on January 17, outside the White House. Privately, some US and Western officials say there could be as many as five more years of fighting. In the near term, Ukraine may be able to hang on, albeit in a stalemate, without US support, a Western intelligence source said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Jake Sullivan, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Mike Johnson, I’ve, ‘, ’ ” Johnson, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, ”, ” Biden, Mike Turner, Mike Rogers, Mike McCaul, Samuel Corum, Donald Trump, Trump, Mike Quigley, CNN Max, “ He’s, Putin, outlast, “, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Michael McCaul, ” Said, Kostiantyn, don’t, Volodymyr Zelensky, Gitanas Nauseda, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ints Kalnins, ” Zelenskyy, ” Trump, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, frontloading Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, White, Pentagon, Defense, National Intelligence, White House, NATO, Republicans, Getty, Kyiv, ” Democratic, Administration, Trump, Republican, Biden, Ukrainian National Guard, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Reuters, Russian Central Bank Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, Kyiv, Europe, Ukrainian, Kreminna, Donetsk Oblast, Moscow, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Sevastopol, Melitopol, Vilnius, Lithuania, New York City, West

Zelensky and Trump loom over DavosTwo people are having an outsize impact at the World Economic Forum, and one of them isn’t even there. One is Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, who put on a full-court press of business and global leaders at the forum in Davos, Switzerland. Zelensky isn’t the only leader at Davos worried about Trump. The Ukrainian leader has sought to shore up global business support. And the annual wine tasting hosted by Anthony Scaramucci, the financier and former Trump official, well, ran out of wine.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump, Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Andrew, Trump, Putin, “, ” Zelensky, Republican Party ”, DealBook, thumped, JPMorgan Chase, Steve Schwarzman, Blackstone, Ray Dalio, David Rubenstein, Carlyle, Michael Dell, John Kerry, Biden’s, Anthony Scaramucci, Christine Lagarde, Christopher Waller, Nelson Peltz’s, James Gorman, Morgan Stanley, Mary Barra, General Motors —, Bob Iger, Disney’s, Murray Auchincloss, Bernard Looney, Auchincloss, Yi Fuxian Organizations: Trump, Economic, Ukraine, Republican Party, Republican, JPMorgan, Congress Center, Dell, European Central Bank, Fed, Disney, General, BP, University of Wisconsin – Locations: Davos, Switzerland, Europe, Ukraine, American, Iowa, Bridgewater, China, Beijing, Russia, Britain, U.S, Asia, University of Wisconsin – Madison

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