Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned “[i]f international attention turns away from Ukraine, it will have consequences” in light of the global outrage at the barbaric surprise attack against Israel by the Hamas terrorist group. Zelensky made the remarks during an interview with France 2.
Zelensky told the French television network Russia is in desperate need for a pause in order to reorganize and move more equipment, soldiers, and weapons to the front in Ukraine. He said he feared the shift in focus among world powers form the conflict in Eastern Europe to the new conflict in the Middle East risks giving the Russian military the “break” they need. The Ukrainian leader added speculation a pause in aid to Ukraine would allow Russia to expand its war and attack Eastern European NATO neighbors.
In an effort to tie Russia to the horrific attacks by Hamas – which governs the Gaza territory – against Israel, Zelensky accused the Russian military of providing support for the Islamist terror group. The Ukrainian leader said he believes it was in Russia’s interests to start World War III. Just two days ago, the Biden White House floated a $100bn aid package for Ukraine, in an effort to fund the war until the 2024 presidential election and avoid any potential impasse with Republican congressmen.
The Israeli military has mobilized for a full scale war against Hamas in Gaza. Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, has ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, vowing: “There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed.”
