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Beleaguered Ukrainian President Faces Losses

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

MOSCOW/KYIV (Worthy News)— A year after he received standing ovations in Western capitals from Washington to London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looked beleaguered.

His hastily organized year-end news conference came days after he did not receive 54 billion dollars in European Union aid and 61 billion from the United States.

“I am sure that the United States of America will not betray us and that what we agreed with the United States will be fully implemented,” Zelenskyy told reporters.

It may be wishful thinking as the U.S. Congress has yet to greenlight it, and American President Joe Biden has so far been unable to convince legislators.

He was also unable to convince Hungary not to veto the European Union billions meant for Kyiv.

Zelensky has also been forced to mobilize some half a million men in part to replace the many, about 150,000 by the last count, who were killed and injured.

FAR CRY

In addition, Kyiv realizes it will take more troops than anticipated to force Russia to end its invasion.

That’s a far cry from the buoyant-sounding Russian President Vladimir Putin as he touted Russia’s war effort at the briefing, surrounded by his top military brass.

It starkly contrasted to just six months ago when a mutiny threatened his grip on power and the country’s military leadership.

And Kviv’s new counteroffensive was due to drive the Russians back as far as their own borders.

But Putin managed to survive and says he will run again for president in the 2024 presidential election. The move is expected to keep him in power until at least 2030.

The election will be held over three days from March 15-17, and the winner will be inaugurated in May. And with Putin firmly in charge, the outcome seems a foregone conclusion.