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Transcript/ScriptUS-UKRAINE-RUSSIA
HEADLINE: US, Germany Pledge More Support to Ukraine
TEASER: Experts say Russia-Ukraine war heading into another long, difficult winter, with no path to victory in sight for either side
PUBLISHED AT: 11/22/2023 at
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Jepsen, Reifenrath, DJ (ok)
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Saine Zoom interview, AFP, AP, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:46
VID APPROVED BY: mia
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EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[The United States and Germany, the two top providers of military aid to Ukraine, pledged continued support this week as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared his core goal was securing international assistance for the year ahead. But experts caution that the U.S. and Germany risk being perceived as too closely tied to Ukraine's grinding war with Russia. VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]]
((Volodymyr Zelenskyy NAT SOUND))
“Secretary, you’re very welcome.”
((NARRATOR))
After returning from a surprise visit to Kyiv earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held the 17th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Wednesday, praising the group’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine as it resists Russia’s invasion.
((Lloyd Austin, Defense Secretary))
“Our unity sends a clear message to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that he cannot outlast us or prevail in a contest of wills. And as Putin continues his tragic and unnecessary war, he has been forced to look for support from Iran and North Korea."
((NARRATOR))
Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, also visited Ukraine on Tuesday, announcing another large military aid package for Ukraine worth about $1.4 billion.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday he called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his invasion of Ukraine and withdraw his troops so an end to the war can finally be found.
Putin took part Wednesday in the virtual meeting of Group of 20 leaders, saying that Russia never refused peace talks with Ukraine. But Western leaders and experts say Putin has shown no interest in any negotiations to end the war.
Some experts have expressed concern that Ukraine’s two top supporters, the United States and Germany, may be viewed as closely tied to Kyiv's stalled war effort. Michael Kimmage, a U.S.-Russian relations expert at The Catholic University of America, had this reaction.
((Michael Kimmage, Catholic University of America)) ((Zoom Courtesy))
“Victory is not around the corner for Ukraine. Russia maintains its hold on roughly 17% of Ukraine's territory, and Russia has been rapidly increasing its spending on defense, and Russia has untapped manpower capabilities in the war.”
((NARRATOR))
But Kimmage also pointed out that for 21 months, Ukraine has managed to contain Russia’s aggression, despite Moscow’s threats to widen the war, and that Putin’s progress is also stalled.
((Michael Kimmage, The Catholic University of America)) ((Zoom Courtesy))
“Russia has not had a major battlefield victory since the early summer of 2022. That's, you know, more than 12 months ago. Russia expended enormous resources on taking the city of Bakhmut, a city of 70,000 before the war. That's very questionable or perhaps has no strategic value to Russia.”
((NARRATOR))
Experts say Ukraine is bracing for another long, cold winter, expecting more Russian attacks on civilians and its energy infrastructure.
((Cindy Saine, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateNovember 22, 2023 20:26 EST
Byline
((Cindy Saine, VOA News))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
