In the current military depth of international politics, the situation in Ukraine cannot be ignored. Ukraine** Zelensky's visit to the United States on December 12, 2021 local time can be regarded as an important attempt to deepen military and diplomatic cooperation with the Western alliance, especially the United States. The trip took place against a complex international political and geomilitary backdrop. Background: Since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Ukraine has become the focus of the power game between the East and the West. Against this background, Ukraine has sought support from the West, especially the United States, to counter Russian military pressure. As the leader of the global military power, the decisions and actions of the United States in the international arena can often have a decisive impact on the situation. Therefore, Ukraine attaches great importance to relations with the United States and is trying to consolidate them through diplomatic visits. Prior to Zelenskyy's visit to the United States, Ukraine's military operation faced multiple challenges. On the one hand, the results achieved by the Ukrainian military ** are unstable, and on the other hand, doubts in the United States about continued assistance to Ukraine are rising. The Republican-led Senate has reservations about a new round of aid to Ukraine, which largely affects the strategic deployment of Ukraine.
However, the Ukrainian side still hopes that the United States will continue to provide military assistance in order to gain more advantages in the confrontation with Russia. At the strategic level, high-level talks between Ukraine and the US side will be key. These talks are aimed at sorting out new strategic directions to ensure that the Ukrainian army can still maintain its fight against the Russian army against the backdrop of tight budgets. The American side expects that the Ukrainian army will be able to increase its self-sufficiency while holding on to its existing territory. This strategic readjustment reflects the hope that the United States, while continuing to support Ukraine, will gradually achieve military independence. Therefore, Zelensky's visit to the United States carries Ukraine's hope that the United States can continue to provide support. He had a tight schedule and met with a number of U.S. dignitaries to try to push the U.S. Congress to pass the next round of aid to Ukraine as soon as possible. How it happened: Zelensky's trip to the United States was dramatic from start to finish. In conversations with many senators and members of the House of Representatives, he used English throughout the conversation, showing his respect for American dignitaries. However, the vignettes in the language exchange also reflect Zelensky's difficulty in international diplomacy.
For example, he was puzzled by the meaning of the English word "stalemate" and asked the senators present. Zelenskyy's meetings with US dignitaries, especially with Biden and Deputy Harris, were the highlight of his visit. In his speech at the White House, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's solidarity with the United States, Europe and the free world, and he expressed his determination to send a strong signal to the aggressor. But despite Zelensky's appearance of optimism, the attitude of the US Congress is not as positive as he expected. Republicans were not persuaded by his efforts, and most members of Congress were wary of further aid to Ukraine. Biden also changed his wording after meeting with Zelensky, from the usual "we will support it for as long as it takes" to "support it for as long as we can". This subtle change reveals the complex nature of the United States' continued investment in Ukraine. While Zelensky is trying to break the deadlock, there is a growing debate in the United States about how to deal with Ukraine. According to a Financial Times poll, nearly half of Americans believe the United States is spending too much on aid to Ukraine.
This social shift has undoubtedly exacerbated Zelensky's difficulties in enlisting the support of the United States. On the eve of the visit, the New York Times report pointed to Ukraine's military predicament and the refusal of the US Congress to continue funding. The talks between the U.S. and Ukrainian militaries** showed that Ukraine** lacks sufficient awareness of the instability of U.S. support. The rhetoric of the United States suggests that in the context of the defeat of Ukraine, if there is no change of strategy, the tragic situation of the historical First World War of 1916 may be repeated in the 21st century. Zelensky's trip to the United States highlights a profound reality in current international politics: the resolution of military conflicts does not rely solely on the confrontation of force, but also requires the coordination and cooperation of the international community. In seeking external assistance to confront a powerful enemy, Ukraine has not only demonstrated the resilience of a small country, but also revealed the complexity and variability of the international confrontation of power. The visit is both an effort to seek assistance from Ukraine and an opportunity for in-depth reflection on foreign policy at home. As a global military power, the United States' support for Ukraine is not only related to Ukraine's strategic prospects, but also affects the stability of the entire international security landscape.
Therefore, the decision of the United States and Congress on the issue of aid to Ukraine will be a test of the international image and responsibility of the United States itself. On the whole, although Zelensky's visit to the United States did not immediately break the deadlock in aiding Ukraine, his efforts and dedication will surely become an important chapter in Ukraine's struggle for survival and development space on the international stage. The interaction between Ukraine and the United States not only demonstrates the wisdom and courage of the country's leaders in international relations, but also reflects the strategic value and role of even small countries that cannot be ignored in the current complex international relations. In the future, no matter how the international situation changes, the basic principles of maintaining peace and pursuing cooperation will always be the background color of inter-state interaction.