Ukraine will face extreme challenges without U.S. aid — Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenges Ukraine faces, saying, “It will probably be very, very difficult. And, of course, in all difficult situations, there is a chance. But we will have little chance, very little chance to survive without the support of the United States. I think this is critically important.”

Zelenskyy emphasized that he could not imagine fighting Russia without U.S. support, stressing, “I do not want to imagine that we will not be strategic partners.”

He also noted that Vladimir Putin seeks negotiations not to end the war, but to secure a ceasefire that could lift some international sanctions on Russia and allow its military to regroup.

On Feb. 5, Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine continues to receive U.S. military aid, though negotiations on new assistance packages are not currently underway.

On Feb. 11, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) announced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would grant President Joe Biden expanded authority to provide Ukraine with Lend-Lease assistance.

On Feb. 12, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during a meeting with Zelenskyy, reiterated continued U.S. support for Ukraine in exchange for an agreement on the extraction of rare earth metals.