Day 712 of Russia's aggression against Ukraine is underway. On the wPolitce.pl website, we report events on the front for you.

READ MORE: REPORTS from the war day by day.

Monday, February 5, 2024

03:34. The US Senate published the text of a bill regarding $60 billion in aid to Ukraine

After months of negotiations, the US Senate on Sunday published a bill containing a $118 billion package to support Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and secure US borders as well as reform immigration policy. More than half of the funds are expenditures related to aid to Ukraine. President Joe Biden has called for passage of the bill, but its future is in doubt as Republican leaders in the House of Representatives have rejected the possibility of adopting it.

The bipartisan Senate agreement is a major step toward strengthening America's national security abroad and within our nation's borders. This is one of the most important and important pieces of legislation introduced in Congress in years to ensure America's future prosperity and security.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. His fellow Republican, Mitch McConnell, also called for support for the bill, saying it was “time to force the president to start cleaning up his mess” at the southern border and address the challenges posed by America's enemies.

00:01. Zelensky on RAI TV: I am thinking about the possibility of changing the state management staff

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday in an interview for Italy's RAI television that he was considering the possibility of replacing the country's management staff, not only in the military sector. He responded to rumors that suggested the possibility of dismissing the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, General Valery Zaluzhny.

When asked about rumors regarding the general's possible dismissal, the president replied: “This is a problem regarding the people who should lead Ukraine. Of course, a reset, a fresh start is necessary. When we talk about this, I mean the replacement of management staff in the country, not just in the military sector.”

I'm considering this trade-off, it's true. But you can't say: we have replaced one person and now we can start again. This applies to all groups of administrators who control state machinery

– he explained.

He repeated:

I mean something serious that concerns not one person, but the country's leadership.

Zelensky assured that he agrees with the need to reach a peace process.

But Russia does not want peace, because for them peace means failure

– he noticed.

The president said that some Ukrainians “are already getting used to war.”

And this is a big mistake, it is unfair to those on the front lines. And the vanguard could get where you are if you don't support those who are fighting. The same thing applies in Europe. War is possible because we are dealing with Putin. And when war came, no one was ready

– said the Ukrainian leader.

He later stated:

The European troops were not ready. This will be surprising. There will be tens of thousands of people in chaos who will face the migration process.

Zelensky then asked:

What will Europe do if the Russian military comes? How will he defend himself? Where is the guarantee that NATO will respond quickly?

Ukraine's president disagreed with the view that Ukraine's counteroffensive was “unsuccessful.”

I wouldn't say it doesn't work. The naval operation yielded positive results. Russia lost many ships

– he stated.

However, he admitted, when it came to war on land, there was a stalemate; that's a fact, because there are drawbacks. There is an equipment delay, which means an error.

Referring to nearly two years of war, he said:

We are not alone. We also succeeded in bringing together world leaders.

He recalled that about 26 percent of Ukrainian territory is still under Russian occupation.

Yet we see the Russian military failing to make significant progress

– he pointed out.

When asked about what Ukraine is like today, he replied: “It's different, closer to Europe. Today, Ukraine has a stronger army and Western equipment.”

Sometimes we're a little tired, sometimes maybe arrogant, but we can't let Russia win with its tools: information, diplomacy, money.

– comments Volodymyr Zelensky.

I know we will win

– he emphasized.

The President of Ukraine thanked the decision taken at the recent European Union Summit to provide his country with EUR 50 billion in aid.

This was a very important aid – he said – without it, defense would be impossible; without this money we can lose what we have.

Referring to this year's US presidential election, the Ukrainian leader stated:

I want to believe and hope that if anything changes in America, the lines will stay the same.

mly/PAP/TT/FB