Zelensky meets with Polish president on his way back to Kyiv
From Yulia Kesavia in Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Dudain in Rzeszow, Poland on Thursday. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout/Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Polish President Andrzej Duda while returning to Ukraine from the US.
Zelensky posted a photo of him on Telegram meeting with Duda and said, “We summed up the year, which brought historic challenges due to a full-scale war."
"Also we discussed strategic plans for the future, bilateral relations and interactions at the international level in 2023,” he added.
From the video accompanying the post, Zelensky is seen disembarking from a plane at Rzeszow airport. It is unclear what time he arrived in Poland.
9:47 a.m. ET, December 22, 2022
Ukrainian officials express optimism about swift training on Patriot missile defense system
From CNN's Seb Shukla in London and Olga Voitovych in Kyiv
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov reacts during a press conference in Lviv on August 18. (Mykola Tys/SOPA Images/Sipa/AP)
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he held a phone call with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington, DC, and the announcement that the US will provide the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine.
Reznikov tweeted that “PATRIOTic soldiers will master these systems quickly,” capitalizing part of the word in reference to the defense system.
Reznikov said he was “grateful for another package of security assistance, especially for the new capabilities to defend out skies from Russia’s brutal attacks.”
Additionally, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said he thinks the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the Patriot missile defense system “will be accelerated.”
He added that the training is taken “very seriously” by the Americans and that the training is “done strictly according to the rules.”
Ihnat said on Ukrainian television that he hoped the one unit “should be just the beginning” and that the Patriot can help protect “important strategic objects” such as infrastructure and headquarters locations.
8:34 a.m. ET, December 22, 2022
Iran warns Zelensky that "patience for baseless accusations is not limitless"
From CNN’s Mostafa Salem and Omid Shams
Iran clapped back at Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and warned of limited “patience for baseless accusations.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said the speech delivered by Zelensky from the United States Capitol repeated “accusations and indecent statements.”
“We have always respected the territorial integrity of countries, including Ukraine, and Mr. Zelensky should know that Iran's strategic patience for baseless accusations is limited,” a published statement by Kanaani said.
"Mr. Zelensky should learn from the fate of some leaders of countries who relied on America's support," the statement said.
In his speech to the US Congress, Zelensky said that hundreds of deadly drones sent by Iran to Russia have become a threat to “critical infrastructure.”
Some background: The Iranian government acknowledged last month that it had sent a limited number of drones to Russia in the months before the start of its invasion of Ukraine, but has denied supplying military equipment for use in the war in Ukraine.
Russia, Zelensky argued in strong terms, has “found an ally” in Iran.
“That is how one terrorist has found the other,” Zelensky said.
“It is just a matter of time when they will strike against your other allies if we do not stop them now.”
7:58 a.m. ET, December 22, 2022
It's mid-afternoon in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know
The fallout from Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky's historic visit to Washington DC continues, with praise at home and warnings from Russian officials.
Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has moved to squash speculation that recent troop movements were part of preparations to join the war in Ukraine.
Here are the latest headlines:
Lukashenko denies "conspiracy" to enter war: The recent movement of Belarusian armed forces is not part of a plan to get involved in Russia's war in Ukraine, Lukashenko said on Thursday. "We have been having and are having exercises. Now they are more extensive because of the current situation and threats. Therefore, we are conducting exercises on our territory," said Lukashenko. "That's it. No other intent, no conspiracy."
Stage set for "long confrontation with Russia": The West supplying Ukraine with military support and Zelensky’s visit to Washington further demonstrates that "the collective West is set for a long confrontation with Russia," said a spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry.
US arms supplies will prolong "suffering": The US supplying Ukraine with Patriot missile systems will prolong the Ukrainian people's "suffering," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday. Peskov also said that neither US President Joe Biden nor Zelensky showed "a potential willingness to listen to Russia's concerns" during the visit to Washington DC.
Zelensky makes case for continued US support: The White House believes Zelensky made a "very compelling" case to the American public and to lawmakers about the need for sustained US aid to Ukraine, a senior White House official said. As the White House prepares for Republicans — some of whom have cast doubt on the future of aid to Ukraine — to take over the House of Representatives, the official said the White House believes Zelensky's speech helped make the case.
Ukrainian public hails Zelensky: CNN spoke to members of the public throughout Ukraine to gauge their reaction to Zelensky's visit and the way he was received by US lawmakers. Mariya Hrachova, a marketing director in Kyiv, said that she is always moved by Zelensky's speeches, and Wednesday was no different. "When he spoke to the House of Representatives, the way he looked, he didn't wear a suit, he was himself," she said. "He spoke the truth, he said what he wanted, what he had to say, I admire that."
Putin calls Netanyahu: Russian President Vladimir Putin called Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to congratulate him on the formation of a new government and to discuss the situations in Ukraine and Iran. "Prime Minister-designate Netanyahu told President Putin that he hopes a way will be found as soon as possible to end the war and the suffering caused by it," reads a statement from Netanyahu's office.
9:54 a.m. ET, December 22, 2022
Talks resume with Russia on potential protection zone for Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
From CNN's Clare Sebastian in London and Anna Chernova
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant outside the city of Enerhodar, on November 24. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)
The chief of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog is holding another round of necessary discussions with Russian officials on the potential creation of a protection zone surrounding Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, he said on Thursday.
"It’s key that the zone focuses solely on preventing a nuclear accident. I am continuing my efforts towards this goal with a sense of utmost urgency," said International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
He posted an image on social media of him shaking hands with the CEO of Russian nuclear power company Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev.
7:34 a.m. ET, December 22, 2022
"No conspiracy": Belarusian President Lukashenko dismisses speculation over military exercises
By CNN's Jack Guy and Olga Voitovych
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks during a press conference in Minsk, Belarus on December, 19. (Contributor/Getty Images)
The recent movement of Belarusian armed forces is not part of a plan to get involved in Russia's war in Ukraine, President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday.
"We have been having and are having exercises. Now they are more extensive because of the current situation and threats. Therefore, we are conducting exercises on our territory," said Lukashenko, according to a statement published on his official website.
"That's it. No other intent, no conspiracy," he added.
This sparked speculation that Putin might try to convince Lukashenko to help him in the war against Ukraine. Belarus shares a 674-mile border with Ukraine.
Belarusian territory was used as a platform by Russian troops during the invasion in February, but the country's troops have so far not taken part in the conflict.
Recent troop movements were a response to increased tensions, said Lukashenko.
"We cannot rule out that aggression may be deployed against our country," he said. "At least, we see such a readiness on the part of our neighbors."
7:24 a.m. ET, December 22, 2022
Biden administration says Zelensky "made a very compelling case"
From CNN's Jeremy Diamond
The White House believes President Zelensky made a "very compelling" case to the American public and to lawmakers about the need for sustained US aid to Ukraine, a senior White House official said.
As the White House prepares for Republicans — some of whom have cast doubt on the future of aid to Ukraine — to take over the House, the official said the White House believes Zelensky's speech helped make the case.
"We think he made a compelling case to lawmakers and to the American people about the sacrifices that Ukraine has been and continues to make," a senior White House official said. "We believe he made a very compelling case for the reason why support has been so critical in the past and how he believes that support."
While the speech may help the White House in Ukraine funding fights to come, the official said Zelensky didn't seek help from the White House for his remarks.
"This was all him," the official said.
Zelensky, of course, went further than the White House in his appeals for more aid — making clear in a joking-not-joking tone at both the White House and to Congress that current aid levels are still not enough.
That was no surprise to the White House, which expected Zelensky was "going to ask for more." The surprise would have been if he had not.
Just as he did in response to a question by CNN's Phil Mattingly, Biden has made clear to officials following his meeting with Zelensky how beneficial it was for him to meet with the Ukrainian leader in person.
The senior official said Biden "really enjoyed his time with Zelensky" and found him to be "energetic" and dedicated.
7:37 a.m. ET, December 22, 2022
"I really had tears in my eyes": Ukrainians react to Zelensky's historic visit to Washington DC
From CNN's Jack Guy, Svitlana Vlasova and Olga Voitovych
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington DC on Wednesday and made a historic speech from the US Capitol, expressing gratitude for American support in fighting Russian aggression since the war began — and asking for more.
CNN spoke to members of the public throughout Ukraine to gauge their reaction to Zelensky's visit and the way he was received by US lawmakers.
Mariya Hrachova (Svitlana Vlasova/CNN)
Mariya Hrachova, marketing director, Kyiv
Hrachova told CNN that she is always moved by Zelensky's speeches, and Wednesday was no different.
"When he spoke to the House of Representatives, the way he looked, he didn't wear a suit, he was himself," she said. "He spoke the truth, he said what he wanted, what he had to say, I admire that."
His reception was "very touching," said Hrachova, who underlined the effectiveness of the visit in "bringing back weapons and hundreds of millions of dollars in aid," even if more will be needed in future.
"We understand that will need to increase," said Hrachova. "I know that there are various views in the American establishment about the situation in Ukraine and US support for Ukraine, but we hope that the majority in the government and in the Congress will support us."
Tetyana Vasylivna (Svitlana Vlasova/CNN)
Tetyana Vasylivna, fruit seller, Kyiv
Vasylivna, who is originally from Kherson, also hailed Zelensky's visit to Washington.
"It seems to me that this visit will bring the end of the war closer," she said. "I think this trip will help us to get victory."
"I really had tears in my eyes when I see in such a good way he (Zelensky) was welcomed," she said. "He is doing a great job as a president, really great, I have no other words to describe him."
Oleksandr Kuzmenko (Svitlana Vlasova/CNN)
Oleksandr Kuzmenko, computer graphics, Kyiv
Kuzmenko also lent his support to Zelensky, saying that it was important that US lawmakers heard about the situation on the ground directly from the Ukrainian president, rather than from a third party.
"I'd say he put it across very well, both in terms of messaging and choreography," he said. "It was a good way to emphasize all the points and ask for weapons."
Kuzmenko said that he supports Zelensky's key messages, and believes the Russian invasion has shown the shortcomings of existing world institutions.
"The current world security architecture is ineffective, and we are the reason it needs to be rebuilt, because of our sacrifice," he said.
"If we let it pass, it won't be us having to sort ... out this mess, it will be for our children and grandchildren," added Kuzmenko.
Оleksandr Solonko, Ukrainian serviceman, near Bakhmut
While Solonko didn't manage to watch Zelensky's speech in Washington, he believes that the visit is a positive.
"Such visits do not happen by chance. For us, this is an indicator of the commitment of the United States and that we will continue to be supported," he said.
"We, the military, are doing our job and expect our government to make progress towards obtaining the necessary weapons and other means to help us drive the occupiers from our land."
It is also part of "the symbolic war," said Solonko.
"What will happen behind the scenes of the visit, apart from military cooperation and economic support, is also interesting," he said. "There are probably many more issues that need to be discussed between the representatives of our countries."
6:51 a.m. ET, December 22, 2022
Kremlin says neither Biden nor Zelensky showed "potential willingness to listen to Russia's concerns" during US visit
From CNN's Anna Chernova and Niamh Kennedy
Neither US President Joe Biden nor his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky showed "a potential willingness to listen to Russia's concerns" during Zelensky's historic visit to the United States on Wednesday, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
"So far, we can state with regret the fact that neither Biden nor Zelensky has spoken any words that can be perceived as a potential willingness to listen to Russia's concerns," Peskov said Thursday.
At no point was Zelensky issued with a warning "against continuing the barbaric shelling of residential buildings in the settlements of Donbas," said Peskov. Donbas blankets much of eastern Ukraine, and has been the front line of the country’s conflict with Moscow since 2014.
Peskov added that "there were no real calls for peace." But during his address to the US Congress on Wednesday, Zelensky did stress that "we need peace," reiterating the 10-point plan for peace devised by Ukraine.
He also called on US lawmakers to "strengthen sanctions" against Russia to make the country "feel how ruinous its aggression truly is."
Peskov told journalists, however, that Wednesday's meeting showed the US is continuing to wage a proxy war of "indirect fighting" against Russia down "to the last Ukrainian."
