Zelenskiy Says World Cannot Wait Until US Election to Take Action to Repel Putin

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy delivers remarks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on the sidelines of NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington, US, July 9, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Tuesday that decisive action must be taken before the US presidential election in November to repel Russia's offensive against his country.
“It’s time to step out of the shadows to make strong decisions to act and not wait for November or any other months to descend. We must be strong and uncompromising all together," Zelenskiy said.
Speaking in Washington four months before an election beset by new uncertainty following President Joe Biden's shaky debate performance, he aimed his message at Republicans, whose NATO-adverse leader looks to be in an improving position to win back the presidency.
The president of the United States, Zelenskiy added, must be “uncompromising in defending democracy, uncompromising against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his coterie.”
Zelenskiy’s latest trip to Washington came against the backdrop of a fresh commitment of aid — Biden earlier Tuesday announced that dozens of air defense systems will be sent to Ukraine by NATO allies — but also ahead of an election that could yield a change in power. Zelenskiy said he hoped the race would not yield a policy overhaul.
The Ukrainian leader sought to minimize the potential fallout of a Donald Trump victory, who is a NATO skeptic and has criticized the Biden administration's support for Kyiv during Russia's war in Ukraine. Zelenskiy spoke at the Reagan Institute, named after Republican icon Ronald Reagan, and his appeal for support was directed at an audience of GOP heavyweights that included Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.