Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed state governors on Friday, seeking to garner broader support for U.S. military aid. Speaking at the National Governors Association summer meeting in Salt Lake City, Zelenskyy urged leaders to witness firsthand the destruction caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began over two years ago.
Zelenskyy's appeal followed a recent NATO summit in Washington, D.C., where leaders pledged continued support for Ukraine. He requested air defense systems, frontline weapons, and assistance in protecting and rebuilding Ukrainian cities, stating these were essential to resist and expel Russian forces.
NATO members recently agreed on a new program to provide consistent military aid to Ukraine and prepare for its potential future membership. They affirmed that Ukraine is on an "irreversible" path to joining NATO and identified China as a significant supporter of Russia in the conflict.
Domestically, there is some opposition to continued aid for Ukraine, particularly among Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden emphasized NATO's global role and highlighted his differing stance from Trump regarding support for Ukraine following the summit.
