Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues.
Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting in various parts of Ukraine, and many civilians have fled the country. We will update the situation in Ukraine from time to time on the 19th (Japan time), including the status of the battle and diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a 6-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine and Moscow, Russia)
President Zelensky arrives in New York
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced on SNS on the 18th that he had arrived in New York, USA.
President Zelensky said that he would attend the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, and that "Ukraine will present concrete proposals to its member states to strengthen the principle of territorial integrity and enhance the function of the United Nations to deter aggression."
In Washington, he will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden, congressional leaders, business people, and others, and posted that he "appreciates U.S. support in the fight for freedom and independence on behalf of Ukraine."
Advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine: "Listening to the President's Thoughts"
Prior to Ukrainian President Zelensky's attendance at the United Nations General Assembly, Podryak, an adviser to the presidential office, gave an interview to NHK in the capital Kyiv on the 18th, saying, "It is important that all countries are listening, not just those that support Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of appealing to the leaders of each country face-to-face.
"We have to make it clear that Russia is the only aggressor and a country that completely nullifies international law, and the key message is to agree on a way to hold someone accountable if they break international law," he said. President Zelensky has made it clear that he intends to appeal to other countries for support in strengthening the United Nations to maintain the international order.
In addition, President Zelensky is scheduled to hold a summit meeting with President Biden of the United States on the 21st.
"The United States now knows very well what Ukraine needs, and we will discuss how to increase and accelerate military assistance," Podoljak said of the summit, expressing hope that it would lead to the provision of longer-range missiles.
Referring to Crimea in southern Ukraine, which Russia unilaterally annexed, he said: "Additional supplies from the Russian mainland are constantly being carried out through the Crimea, and with a certain number of long-range missiles, we can bring the Crimea under de facto control and significantly reduce the combat capability of the Russian army." He complained that long-range missiles were also needed to strike supply routes to Russian troops on the front line.