Pelosi, US House Speaker, "Support Until Ukraine Wins"...Concerns Grow Over Russia's Announcement of All-Out War (Comprehensive)

Highest-Level US Visitor Emphasizes Support for Ukraine
Russian Donbas Offensive Stalls... "1,000 Russian Tanks Destroyed"
Lavrov: "No Artificial Restraint on Military Actions During Victory Day"

On the 30th of last month (local time), Volodymyr Zelensky (right), President of Ukraine, awarded the "Princess Olga Order" to Nancy Pelosi (left), Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, who visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Speaker Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Ukraine since Russia's invasion. Kyiv, Ukraine = AP·Yonhap News Photo by AP

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ahead of Russia's Victory Day on the 9th, amid speculation about the possibility of a nationwide mobilization order, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, made a direct visit to Ukraine and declared that the U.S. will support Ukraine until victory is achieved. Russia dismissed the Western speculation about a 'total war,' stating that the main objective of the invasion is not regime change in Ukraine but security in the Donbas region.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 1st (local time), Pelosi, along with six U.S. House members including Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Adam Schiff, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, made a surprise visit to Kyiv the previous day. Pelosi and the U.S. delegation reportedly held a three-hour meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine.

During the meeting with President Zelensky, Speaker Pelosi stated, "We will support Ukraine until it achieves victory against Russia." She added, "Our delegation came to Kyiv to send an unmistakably firm message to the world," emphasizing, "The United States will steadfastly support Ukraine."

Speaker Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion. The Speaker of the House is second in the presidential line of succession after the Vice President, ranking third in the U.S. power hierarchy. Previously, the highest-ranking U.S. officials to visit Kyiv were Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who visited on the 24th of last month.

Pelosi's visit is interpreted as a demonstration of strong U.S. support amid growing concerns about Russia possibly declaring a total war in Ukraine. Earlier, on the 29th of last month, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated in an interview with UK LBC Radio that "Russian President Vladimir Putin is angry about the stalemate of Russian forces and may announce a nationwide mobilization order on the 9th to break the deadlock."

In fact, despite two weeks passing since the Russian military declared an offensive in Donbas on the 18th of last month, the situation remains stagnant. According to The New York Times (NYT), Russian forces have failed to capture three target areas in the Donbas region?Lyman, Severodonetsk, and Popasna?and fighting with Ukrainian forces continues.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, also posted on Twitter that day, "Ukrainian forces have destroyed over 1,000 Russian tanks, about 200 aircraft, and 2,500 armored vehicles," adding, "Russian forces will have to reduce the military equipment available for the Victory Day celebrations."

Meanwhile, Russia dismissed the possibility of declaring a total war raised by the West and emphasized that the special military operation centered on Donbas will continue as before. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italian TV network Mediaset, "Our objectives do not include regime change in Ukraine," adding, "That (regime change) is something the U.S. is good at and is doing worldwide."

Regarding whether Victory Day on May 9 will mark a turning point in the war, Lavrov said, "Our military will not artificially adjust military actions to specific dates, including Victory Day," emphasizing, "We will solemnly commemorate the victory, and the timing and pace of the Ukraine operation depend on minimizing risks to civilians and Russian troops."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.