Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the U.S. is prioritizing Iran over Ukraine in its foreign policy. 'Iran is the No. 1 issue for the United States, and only after that comes Ukraine,' Zelensky said in Kyiv. 'Unfortunately, we are in the queue of these wars.' Rutte arrived in Ukraine a day after a Russian drone and missile attack killed at least 13 people and injured over 100.
Zelensky reiterated his willingness to negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, stating, 'We support any format, and I am ready for direct negotiations with Putin to end this war, rather than waiting in line for everyone to end all the conflicts in the world, and then it comes to us.' Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill authorizing over $1 billion in defense aid and up to $8 billion in loans for Ukraine, though its future in the Senate remains uncertain.
During the press conference, Rutte issued a stark warning to young Russians considering joining the war effort. 'You are being sold a raw deal,' Rutte said. 'Men like you who join the fight—you won’t be trained. The equipment they will provide you is substandard. There is a very high chance you’ll die or be wounded while you’re out there. And odds are, if you are wounded, you will be left to suffer in the mud and die.' Rutte also claimed Russia is suffering 'absolutely staggering' losses, with over 30,000 Russian soldiers dying every month in Ukraine—more than the Soviet Union lost in 10 years in Afghanistan.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stating that the prospects of a negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia 'don’t look great.'