“Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, today I am authorizing our twenty-eighth drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. This $1 billion drawdown will provide Ukraine with expanded air defense and precision-strike capabilities, as well as additional munitions and critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield,” Blinken said in a statement.
Blinken added that the Pentagon will also announce $850 million of new security assistance for Ukraine today. His statement followed a similar statement from the White House, all coming the same day as President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington.
The top US diplomat said that this new support comes as the Kremlin “has tried and failed to wipe Ukraine off the map” and is now seeking to “weaponize winter” with strikes on infrastructure.
The Patriot system is an advanced long-range air defense system that is highly effective at intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles.
“Today’s assistance for the first time includes the Patriot Air Defense System, capable of bringing down cruise missiles, short range ballistic missiles, and aircraft at a significantly higher ceiling than previously provided air defense systems,” Blinken said.
Blinken reiterated that the US will continue “to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, so that Kyiv can continue to defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the time comes.”
11:50 a.m. ET, December 21, 2022
Kyiv residents are optimistic as Zelensky makes surprise trip to Washington
From Svitlana Vlasova and Olga Voitovych in Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s first wartime trip overseas comes after 10 months of relentless Russian attacks.
But Ukrainians in Kyiv are cautiously optimistic that the visit to the US — announced just hours before Zelensky was due to arrive in Washington, DC — could boost Ukraine's efforts and send a signal to the world.
“It’s (a) very unexpected visit for us. And the expectations are really high,” Natalia Dmytieva said while playing with her grandson in a Kyiv playground that was hit by a Russian missile strike in October.
Natalia Dmytieva playing with her grandson in a Kyiv playground. (Svitlana Vlasova/CNN)
“This is not the war anymore; this is terrorism,” she said of Russia’s repeated attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid. “Ukraine shouldn’t live in darkness.”
“The world is preparing for Christmas holidays, but we are not able to do the same this year,” she said. “It’s so difficult to explain to children why we don’t have a tree, why we can’t have fun as being shown on TV,” she told CNN.
An officer in the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces who declined to provide his name added that he was “pleasantly surprised” by news of the visit.
“Probably the importance of the visit is so high that he decided to do it personally. So I welcome it,” he said.
The officer hoped that Zelensky used the trip to keep global attention on the conflict. “If I were the president, I would say, 'Imagine if Hitler could be stopped at the first stages'" of World War II. “We are fighting not only for our freedom, but also for theirs.”
Ruslan Zakharchenko, a law student, praised Zelensky for leading Ukraine’s war response for 10 uninterrupted months. “He stayed here in the most difficulties time and never left us,” he said.
But he said Zelensky’s departure to go to the US is a “justified step” in shoring up Washington’s support.
“The aim should be ... to win in this war,” he added. “In order to achieve this, we need fast delivery of weapon and military equipment.”
Several Kyiv residents said they hoped the US would commit to send more weapons to Ukraine, bolster its air defenses and pursue even stronger punishments against Russia.
Yet while some residents are hopeful, others said the trip is unlikely to mark a turning point.
Andriy in Kyiv. (Svitlana Vlasova/CNN)
“We shouldn’t expect anything from the United States,” said Andriy, who previously worked with the Ukrainian military and declined to provide his last name. “The worst thing is to hope for some assistance and to be disappointed when it doesn’t come.”
“Zelensky may want something that USA don’t want to give us, or vice versa,” he said.
10:59 a.m. ET, December 21, 2022
Analysis: How Biden's expected $1.8 billion weapons deal could impact the war in Ukraine
Analysis from CNN's Nick Paton Walsh
MIM-104 Patriot short-range anti-aircraft missile systems for defense against aircraft, cruise missiles and medium-range tactical ballistic missiles at Rzeszow Airport, Poland, on July 24. (Christophe Gateau/picture alliance/Getty Images)
US President Joe Biden is expected to announce an additional $1.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House. The significant boost in aid is expected to be headlined by the Patriot missile defense systems that are included in the package, a US official told CNN.
Details of the expected weapons deal: There are two key headline deliverables: first, the Patriot missile defense systems. Complex, accurate, and expensive, they have been described as the US’s “gold standard” of air defense. NATO preciously guards them, and they require the personnel who operate them – almost 100 in a battalion for each weapon – to be properly trained.
The second are precision-guided munitions for Ukrainian jets. Ukraine, and Russia, largely are equipped with munitions that are “dumb” – fired roughly toward a target. Ukraine has been provided with more and more Western standard precision artillery and missiles, like Howitzers and HIMARS respectively.
What difference could it make to the war? These two headline packages alone could impact the course of the war. Russia’s most potent threat now is the constant bombardment of energy infrastructure. It is making winter colder and unbearable for some, plunging cities into darkness of up 12 hours a day and sometimes longer, in the hope of sapping high Ukrainian morale.
Patriot air defense systems could intercept a large number of Russia’s missiles and attack drones – although Ukraine already claims a high success rate; on Monday, for example, it said 30 out of 35 missiles had been stopped. The Patriot is also a sign NATO’s best technology is on the table to help Ukraine win the war — or at least hold Russia back.
Read more — including about Russia's expected reaction — here.
11:12 a.m. ET, December 21, 2022
US eyeing new "aggressor state" label for Russia instead of "state sponsor of terrorism," sources say
From CNN's Natasha Bertrand, Kylie Atwood and Kristin Wilson
The Biden administration has been working with Congress over the last several months on legislation that would formally designate Russia as an “aggressor state,” multiple sources familiar with the deliberations tell CNN, and lawmakers are waiting to see if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky endorses the proposal when he addresses Congress in person on Wednesday night.
If he does, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may introduce the legislation as a standalone bill this week, sources familiar with the deliberations told CNN. But it is unclear how both chambers could get it passed before they gavel out for recess, which would mark the end of the 117th Congress. Republicans take over the House chamber when Congress returns in January.
The “aggressor state” label is less hawkish than the “state sponsor of terrorism” label that many lawmakers, including Pelosi, had been pushing the Biden administration to impose on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
But the White House has long resisted designating Russia as a state sponsor of terror, citing the negative consequences such a label could have on the ongoing diplomacy between the US and Russia on issues like prisoner swaps, the United Nations-brokered deal to allow grain out of Ukraine, cross-border aid to Syria and other humanitarian efforts.
“We’re working with Congress right now on legislation that would help us get around some of the challenges of using the 'state sponsor of terrorism' designation,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a CNN interview earlier this month, adding that the label has “some unintended consequences.”
Sources familiar with the deliberations said the administration shared a white paper with lawmakers and staffers in the fall outlining potential solutions, including the aggressor state designation.
A senior administration official confirmed to CNN that “we are in contact with Congress on new accountability mechanisms it is working on – ones that would not come with the unintended, harmful global consequences of an SST designation and actually address the case of Russia’s atrocities and aggression in an effective way.”
A draft of the proposal obtained by CNN calls for imposing tough new sanctions on senior Russian government officials that the president determines are complicit in “aggressor state” tactics, including undermining Ukraine’s democratic processes, threatening its territorial sovereignty, misappropriating Ukraine’s assets and asserting authority over any Ukrainian territory without Kyiv’s authorization.
Why some are opposed: But Republican lawmakers and congressional aides opposed to the proposed legislation expressed concern that it would give the administration greater leeway to remove sanctions unilaterally should Russia signal an openness to peace talks with Ukraine, and they complained that the label does not have any real teeth to hold Russia accountable.
“The proposed ‘Aggressor State’ designation is a poor substitute for what Ukraine has called for: a State Sponsor of Terror designation for Russia,” Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said in a tweet on Tuesday. “This new designation fails to hold Putin accountable for his heinous war crimes and unprovoked war against Ukraine.”
The aides told CNN that GOP staffers have told Zelensky’s office that they believe the designation is inconsequential.
10:47 a.m. ET, December 21, 2022
US lawmakers may miss Zelensky's speech because of weather and flights, senator says
From CNN's Manu Raju
Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., speaks during a rally with health care providers and the March Fourth Coalition outside the U.S. Capitol on December 7. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech may not be well attended by senators who had been planning to leave town later today assuming they can get an agreement to move to final passage on the $1.7 trillion omnibus.
If the votes happen before Zelensky's speech, many senators will be racing to catch their flights home to avoid the winter storm barreling into much of the US.
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who is co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and is the No. 2 in his caucus, told CNN that he is uncertain if he can attend.
Durbin indicated he was not looped into the planning of Zelensky's visit to the Capitol, which was coordinated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
"No indication that this would be happening," Durbin said. "And I really feel bad because I admire this man so much and he’s coming at a very challenging time."
Durbin said it's a "shame" many senators may not be able to attend.
"And I’m struggling myself with the reality of getting home and struggling of trying to attend something like this. It depends on the schedule in the Senate more than anything."
It's also unclear how many House members will be in attendance. The House has not been in session this week until Wednesday, so many members will either be traveling back to Washington today, may wait to come back to the Capitol tomorrow or may decide to vote by proxy and stay home to avoid the snowstorm.
10:01 a.m. ET, December 21, 2022
How Zelensky's visit to the US will unfold today
Here's the expected timing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to meet US President Joe Biden in Washington, DC, on Wednesday:
2 p.m. ET: Biden welcomes Zelensky to the White House
2:30 p.m. ET: Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Zelensky
4:30 p.m. ET: Biden hosts a joint press conference with Zelensky
6:15 p.m. ET: Zelensky arrives on Capitol Hill
7:30 p.m. ET: Zelensky gives an address to a joint meeting of Congress
Zelensky is currently en route to the US on an American military aircraft. It is Zelensky's first overseas visit since Russia invaded his country in late February.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that mobilization efforts must be modernized and digitalized after the "partial mobilization" in the fall revealed issues.
"The partial mobilization carried out revealed certain problems, it is well known to everyone, which should be promptly addressed,” Putin said during a meeting with Russian defense chiefs on 2023 objectives.
“I know that the necessary measures are being taken, but still we need to pay attention to this and build this system in a modern way. First of all, we need to modernize the system of military commissariats," he said. Those are regional offices in charge of recruitment.
On Tuesday, Putin signed a decree to create a working group that will coordinate various authorities in handling issues related to mobilization.
The Kremlin has repeatedly said there is no need for a second phase of mobilization. The initial phase ended in October.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also proposed raising the conscription age for Russian mandatory military service from 18 to 21 years while increasing the limit to 30 years.
Currently, Russian men aged between 18-27 can be conscripted for mandatory military service. Shoigu also called for the digitalization of enlistment offices.
9:56 a.m. ET, December 21, 2022
Putin and Russian defense minister outline major investment in military in face of perceived NATO threat
From CNN's Tim Lister and Uliana Pavlova
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, attend a meeting of defence chiefs in Moscow, Russia, on December 21. (Reuters)
In a series of announcements on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu declared there would be substantial investment in many areas of the military — including increasing the size of the armed forces, accelerating weapons programs and deploying a new generation of hypersonic missiles.
At an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry's board, Putin and Shoigu laid out a series of initiatives designed to prepare Russia for what Putin called "inevitable clashes" with Russia's adversaries.
Military expansion: Shoigu said that the country’s military must be expanded from its current 1 million personnel to 1.5 million, including a target of 695,000 volunteer contract soldiers. Russia has recently deployed an additional 150,000 soldiers to what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine — half the total number of men mobilized in the fall.
Shoigu said two additional airborne assault divisions would be created.
Both men made it clear that Russia's principal adversary is what they regard as an expansionist NATO that wants to weaken and even split Russia.
"Given NATO's desire to build up military potential near the Russian borders, as well as to expand the alliance through Finland and Sweden, retaliatory measures are required to create an appropriate grouping of troops in northwestern Russia," Shoigu said.
Shoigu announced the creation of a new Leningrad Military District in northwest Russia to create two "strategic territorial associations of the Armed Forces — the Moscow and Leningrad military districts."
Nuclear updates: There were also updates on the improvement and modernization of Russia's nuclear deterrents.
Shoigu announced the start of work on the deployment of Russia's latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the RS-28 Sarmat.
"Successful launches of a new heavy-class missile of the Sarmat missile system during state tests made it possible to begin work on its deployment," he said.
President Putin said the system would be put on combat duty in the near future.
In addition, Shoigu said the delivery to the armed forces of a new generation of hypersonic missiles — including the Zircon and the Dagger — would be accelerated.
Military repairs: Shoigu also announced a shakeup in the maintenance and repair of military equipment, which has been a persistent problem since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"Next year, three repair plants will be formed, and repair units in the military unit will be strengthened," Shoigu said at the meeting.
In an apparent reference to corruption in the military procurement process, Shoigu said, "The transition to outsourcing in 2008-2012 led to the practical destruction of military repair bodies, which negatively affected the serviceability of weapons and equipment. Since 2012, measures have been taken to recreate them."
Putin also insisted that Russia would not "repeat the mistakes of the past, when in the interests of increasing the defense capability, where it is necessary and where it is not necessary, we destroyed our economy."
"We will not engage in the militarization of the country and the militarization of the economy, primarily because the achieved level of development to date, the structure of the economy do not require it. We have everything," the president said.
9:28 a.m. ET, December 21, 2022
Analysis: Here's how Zelensky's visit to the US will echo Winston Churchill's visit 81 years ago
Analysis from CNN's Stephen Collinson
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses a joint session of congress in the senate chamber, Washington D.C, on December 26, 1941. (Bettmann/Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s arrival will draw poignant echoes of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s arrival in Washington, 81 years ago on Thursday, days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. That Christmas visit cemented the alliance that would win World War II and built the post-war democratic world.
Zelensky compared his nation’s resistance against Russia with Britain’s lonely defiance of the Nazis in the days before the US entered World War II during a video address to the UK Parliament earlier this year, and his arrival in the US capital will sharpen the parallels to the earlier meeting of Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt.
Over days of brainstorming and meetings – fueled by Churchill’s regime of sherry with breakfast, Scotch and sodas for lunch, champagne in the evening and a tipple of 90-year-old brandy before bed – the two leaders plotted the defeat of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan and laid the foundation of the Western alliance that Biden has reinvigorated in his support for Ukraine.
Churchill, who had pined for US involvement in World War II for months and knew it was the key to defeating Adolf Hitler, said during his visit, “I spend this anniversary and festival far from my country, far from my family, and yet I cannot truthfully say that I feel far from home.”
Zelensky is sure to get that kind of hero’s welcome and will hope that extra US support will mean that Washington has truly “drawn the sword for freedom and cast away the scabbard,” as Churchill said of the Roosevelt administration in his address to Congress on Dec. 26, 1941.
The Ukrainian leader is likely to appreciate the historical parallels. He paraphrased one of Churchill’s most famous wartime speeches in an emotional address to British members of parliament in March. “We will not surrender, we will not lose, we will go to the end.”
