U.S. Senators Praise Ukraine's Kursk Operation, Urge More Weapon Support
U.S. Senators Graham and Blumenthal visited Kyiv, commending Ukraine's cross-border operation in Russia's Kursk region. They met with President Zelenskiy, discussing Ukraine's need for long-range weapons to end the war.
In a recent visit to Kyiv, Lindsey Graham, a U.S. Republican Senator, expressed strong approval of Ukraine's cross-border operation into Russia's Kursk region. The operation, which began on August 5, 2024, has resulted in Ukraine claiming control of approximately 1,000 square kilometers in the area.
Graham, who has represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003, described the operation as "bold, brilliant, beautiful," urging Ukraine to "keep it up." He was accompanied by Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic Senator from Connecticut who has been in office since 2011.
The bipartisan delegation met with Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of Ukraine since 2019. During the meeting, they discussed Ukraine's needs to bring the ongoing conflict to a just conclusion. Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of long-range weapons in this context.
The Kursk region, known for its significant magnetic anomaly and its role in one of the largest tank battles in history during World War II, has become a focal point in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. This conflict, which began in 2014 with Russia's annexation of Crimea, has seen Ukraine's military undergo substantial modernization.
Graham called on the Biden administration to provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons, stating, "Give them weapons they need to win the war they can't afford to lose." This statement underscores the crucial role the U.S. Congress plays in approving foreign military aid.
The United States has been a major supporter of Ukraine since the conflict's inception. However, the provision of long-range weapons remains a contentious issue due to their potential to significantly impact military strategy and tactics.
Zelenskiy later shared details of the meeting on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, which has become a common channel for official statements. He expressed gratitude for U.S. support and reiterated Ukraine's need for long-range weapons.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to watch closely, particularly given the controversial nature of cross-border operations in international law. The outcome of this operation and the response from the international community may have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape.
