USA: Warnings of long war in Ukraine

As Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska reminded the United States Congress of the human losses caused by Russia’s aggression against her country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that Moscow’s military goals are not limited to eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska was greeted with applause by members of both houses of the United States Congress on Wednesday.

She said that although the wives of presidents usually focus on issues related to peace, such as education, she cannot stand idly by while Russia destroys her people and her country.

“I’m looking for something that I would never look for. I’m looking for a weapon. Weapons that will not be used to start a war on someone else’s land, but to defend our home and the right to wake up alive in that home. I’m looking for air defense systems, so that rockets don’t kill children in strollers,” she said.

As Ms Zelenska showed photographs of war victims, in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavror said Russia’s military operation is not only focused on the east, while claiming Ukraine was not serious about peace talks.

“They will never be able to express anything that would deserve the serious attention of serious people. We have already understood,” he said.

The US Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley, was asked about the progress of the Russian military in eastern Ukraine.

“In conclusion, the cost is very high, while the benefits are very few. In Luhansk and Donbas, a heavy and destructive war is taking place. To answer your question, is Donbas lost? No, it’s not lost yet,” he said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that five months after Russia’s unprovoked attack, the Ukrainian military is still fighting and that Kiev is still standing.