" Zelensky has a strong sense of crisis,
this has always been his characteristic."
Author: Chen Jiali Fu Yumei
Editor: Fu Yumei
There was almost no warning in advance. At 2 pm local time on the 21st, Ukrainian President Zelensky appeared on the South Lawn of the White House.
·Biden and his wife Jill Biden rolled out the red carpet to welcome Zelensky (middle).
He wore a green round-neck pullover with a small badge with the national emblem of Ukraine printed on it, and brown overalls.
Agence France-Presse interpreted that Zelensky’s dress was to show that he was visiting the White House as a “wartime leader.”
Subsequently, Zelensky and US President Biden held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office for about two hours.
Judging from the photos at the scene, the two were sitting in front of the fireplace talking. Biden was talking with his legs crossed and his index finger raised. Zelensky crossed his hands and leaned slightly towards Biden, listening very seriously. Associated Press described the two as "appearing very harmonious" and "patting each other on the back."
·Biden and Zelensky (left) at the meeting.
But obviously, Zelensky’s visit this time was not just for a chat around the fire.
Wu Fei, director of the International Strategic Communication Research Center of Jinan University and researcher of the External Communication Research Center of the European and American Alumni Association, said in an interview with a reporter from "Global Figures" that during Zelensky's trip to the United States, the congressional speech was more important than meeting Biden. Because the U.S. Congress's funding for aid to Ukraine really affects how long the Russia-Ukraine conflict will drag on.
"Whirlwind trip" in less than 10 hours
"I'm glad you are here. It is an honor to be with you." During the meeting with Zelensky, Biden said he could guarantee that the United States and European allies stand with Ukraine.
Zelensky thanked Biden and the US Congress for their support. Next year "could be very important for Ukraine," he said.
Biden said that the United States will support Ukraine in pursuing a "just peace."
In response, Zelensky said that he did not know what a "just peace" was, but for him it meant no compromises on Ukraine's territorial integrity.
·Biden posted a photo of the meeting between the two on Twitter, with the text: Mr. President, America welcomes you.
After the bilateral talks, the two held a joint press conference.
A Ukrainian reporter asked, why can’t Ukraine simply be given “all the capabilities” it needs to “liberate” all Ukrainian territories as soon as possible?
Zelensky laughed and said: Okay!
Biden said that in his "hundreds of hours of face-to-face communication" with European allies, he explained to them "why it is in their interest to continue supporting Ukraine." Although the allies "completely understand," they do not want a war with Russia. "They do not want a Third World War."
·Biden and Zelensky (left) hold a press conference.
That night, Zelensky delivered a speech in the U.S. Congress.
In his speech, he first played the "emotional card", saying that Ukrainians may have to spend Christmas Eve in air raid shelters, but they will still cheer each other up around the holiday table. "Despite all the difficulties and misfortunes, Ukraine has not fallen. Ukraine is full of life."
He also thanked Americans and "all those who value freedom and justice" for their efforts to help Ukraine.
Finally, Zelensky emphasized that the support of the United States and its allies is crucial to Ukraine's "victory."
Until the end of the speech, Zelensky completed all the itinerary of this visit to the United States, which took less than 10 hours.
The timing of visiting the United States is delicate
Why did you choose to visit the United States at this time?
The Associated Press reported that the timing of Zelensky’s visit is delicate.
reported that the U.S. Congress is currently promoting the comprehensive appropriation bill for fiscal year 2023, which contains approximately US$45 billion in additional assistance to Ukraine.
In January next year, the American Republican Party will control the House of Representatives. Disagreements are arising between the two parties in the United States over whether to continue providing aid to Ukraine. McCarthy, the leader of the House of Representatives Republican Party, has previously stated that Republican lawmakers will not write a "blank check" for Ukraine.
"When the Congress changes next year and the Republicans take office, will they pass bills that are not beneficial to Ukraine? Will they reduce resource support? These are all urgent issues for Zelensky." Wu Fei said.
Therefore, both Zelensky and the Biden administration want to seize the last opportunity to finalize this aid.
It is worth noting that Zelensky’s visit to the United States came “without warning” and no prior notice was given by all parties. Wu Fei believes that this shows that this visit is not a planned visit, but more like an unexpected visit.
"The suddenness of this visit also reflects the changes in the current political environment in the United States: Congress has begun to play an increasingly important role in international affairs. In the absence of a change of Congress, Zelensky still needs to maintain his 'heat' , to show the world the United States’ support for Ukraine. After all, with the arrival of new Republican congressmen, his popularity may soon weaken.”
Russia’s “Viewpoint” said on the 21st that the Ukrainian president’s visit to the United States is more like a special operation launched by the White House. Under the current situation, whether it is for Zelensky or the US Democratic Party, the visit is a "political show" that must be staged.
In addition, December 21st is also a special day. That day was the 300th day since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out. Biden also mentioned this point in time during the meeting, "300 days, it is unbelievable what I have experienced in these 300 days."
·Biden and Zelensky (left) exchanged souvenirs at the meeting.
The British " Guardian " reported that this visit to the United States is Zelensky's first time leaving Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Such a visit involves high risks.
The American " News Weekly " stated that although Zelensky visited the Bachmut front battlefield the day before his visit to the United States, he was still within the national border. Once you cross the border, the risk index increases significantly.
Zelensky went to the Bachmut battlefield on the 20th to express condolences to the soldiers.
Even before he actually set off, there was still news that Zelensky's trip could still be canceled at the last minute due to safety concerns.
"I am on my way to the United States." It was not until Zelensky posted on social media in the early morning of the 21st that the outside world fully confirmed that he had indeed gone.
· Zelensky tweeted that he was on his way to the United States.
How did Zelensky get to the United States from Ukraine?
According to foreign media reports such as the British " Daily Mail ", in order to facilitate Zelensky's visit, the United States and NATO sent a "top-secret military aircraft formation" to escort him.
reported that Zelensky’s trip to the United States used Poland as a transit stop. He first took a train from Ukraine to the Polish border city of Przemyśl, and then drove from here to the Polish city of Rzeszów, where he boarded a special plane waiting to take him to the United States, a C-40B (call sign "SAM910") belonging to the U.S. Air Force.
· "Deutsche Welle" also gave a video of Zelensky appearing at the Przemysl train station.
Before Zelensky’s special plane took off, NATO and the US military sent Boeing airborne early warning aircraft and F-15 fighter jets to escort it respectively.
Eventually, Zelensky landed at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington.
What is the effect of visiting the United States?
So, how effective is Zelensky’s visit to the United States?
·Biden and Zelensky (left).
Zelensky once said that the purpose of his visit to the United States is to continue to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Ukraine. He certainly didn't come away empty-handed.
US Secretary of State Blinken issued a statement on the 21st local time, saying that the United States will provide "new and additional" military assistance to Ukraine to express the United States' support for Ukraine.
Of the military assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine this time, US$1 billion will be withdrawn from the Department of Defense inventory, including the "Patriot" air defense missile system provided to Ukraine for the first time. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense will provide $850 million in assistance to Ukraine through the "Ukraine Security Assistance Program."
Wu Fei believes that judging from the content of the itinerary, the purpose of Zelensky’s visit to the United States has been achieved. But in terms of effects, we have to wait until January next year, after the US Congress changes its term, to see the results.
"Some Republican congressmen have expressed the hope that Russia and Ukraine can 'sit down and talk' as soon as possible." Wu Fei analyzed that in the post-epidemic period, the unstable factors of the Russia-Ukraine conflict will still have an impact on the world economy. Institutions such as JPMorgan Chase have even issued warnings that the European and American economies may be weak next year. Coupled with various factors including party disputes, "reducing aid to Ukraine will become one of their considerations."
Bloomberg said that delivering a speech at a joint meeting of the House and Senate was an opportunity for Zelensky to make a direct appeal to members. In March of this year, shortly after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out, Zelensky delivered a speech to the U.S. Congress via video link, imploring lawmakers to provide immediate assistance to Ukraine.
"Zelensky has a strong sense of crisis, which has always been his characteristic." Wu Fei said. This sense of crisis determines his keenness to "take the temperature" of Western countries, such as this visit to the United States.
"In the political arena, the general logic may be to wait until new members of the U.S. Congress take office before contacting them. But Zelensky's method is to test the "hotness" of the old members and show them to the world, even if they only get front page news for a week. Because he knows that if he tries to test the U.S. Congress’s support for Ukraine after January, the challenge will be greater.”
However, Wu Fei emphasized that Zelensky could easily ignore more important and complex issues in the later period because he is keen on the performance in front of him. "He should learn to withdraw from a 'tragic' performance system as soon as possible and think carefully about the long-term post-war deployment."
Wu Fei believes that Zelensky lacks an overall "view of the pattern" in the choice of national strategic direction, which easily puts the country into a passive situation.
"Ukraine has to consider not only the current situation, but also a series of issues such as economic development after the armistice. But we see that Ukraine is obviously unprepared for the future situation. First of all, it has no economic growth point. In addition, the resettlement of a large number of soldiers after the war will also be a problem. What should the soldiers do? Who will support them? Obviously, the situation of 'fighting to support war' is impossible to maintain."
Russia has also been receiving new news in recent days. Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov told the media on the 21st that Russia does not expect any positive changes after Zelensky’s trip. Peskov emphasized that the United States’ continued supply of weapons to Ukraine “does not bode well” for Ukraine.
In Wu Fei’s view, Zelensky’s choice of this time to visit the United States will have limited impact on the overall situation in Russia and Ukraine. The symbolic significance is greater than the actual significance, and it is even “more cooperating with the actions of the U.S. Democratic Party.”
Supervisor Producer: Lu Hong
Supervisor Producer: Zhang Jiankui
Chief Editor: Xu Chenjing
Editor: Su Rui Ling Yun
