WP: Zelensky backed down, refusing to speak before the US Congress

12/9/2023, 4:37:15 PM

Highlights: Volodymyr Zelensky refused to speak before the US Congress on December 5. The Washington Post says it was an unusual act for him, because he did not refuse such opportunities. Zelenski canceled at the last moment his speech to US congressmen, during which he was supposed to report on the situation at the front and ask for continued military and financial support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Minister explained that this happened due to a "change in the situation" Senator Mitt Romney expressed the opinion that Zelenska did not need to speak at a closed briefing.

The act of Volodymyr Zelensky, who refused to speak before the US Congress, can be regarded as a retreat, writes The Washington Post.

According to the publication, Zelensky's refusal to speak was an unusual act for him, because, as a rule, he did not refuse such opportunities.

That raised questions about whether he backed down on the advice of his Ukrainian counterparts or U.S. officials.

On December 5, Zelensky canceled at the last moment his speech to US congressmen, during which he was supposed to report on the situation at the front and ask for continued military and financial support for Ukraine.

As Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov explained, this happened due to a "change in the situation."

At the same time, Senator Mitt Romney expressed the opinion that Zelensky did not need to speak at a closed briefing in Congress.