The situation in Ukraine is so critical that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had to abandon a scheduled vacation to Spain and fly immediately to Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, which is once again in danger from the Russian offensive.
ABC News had exclusive access to Zelensky’s tour of a city hospital, where he saw soldiers injured in the northern defense and presented them with medals of courage.
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“It’s really important for me to be here,” he said as we went through the corridors.
In each ward, he paused as an officer read aloud the names of each injured soldier. He approached each bed and gave them a medal. However, this was a rather quick visit. The president’s safety is always a priority, but this trip to Kharkiv was particularly dangerous, so his entourage moved quickly around the building.
“The situation is very serious,” Zelenskyy explained. “We cannot afford to lose Kharkiv.”
As he stood alongside the injured soldiers, he made it clear that the delay in US supplies had a direct impact on the war and the situation on the northeastern border. He asserted that the past few days had seen hundreds of deaths or injuries. Many of the soldiers were from this region, so he felt it was necessary to be there to support them.
We questioned him about whether it was America’s fault for what was going on in Kharkiv right now.
“It’s the world’s fault,” he explained. “They provided an opening for Putin to occupy. But now the world can assist.”
He is constantly careful not to disparage the United States. However, this was a slightly more candid Zelensky than we are used to seeing.
We asked him how he thought Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit this week went. On Wednesday, the top diplomat of the United States announced an additional $2 billion in aid, supplementing the $60 billion previously given in late April. Zelenskyy halted. I could tell he was frustrated.
“Dialogue is good,” he said. “But we need help now.”
There’s a sense here, near the harsh combat on the front lines, that the visit was little more than a show of solidarity.
“All we need are two Patriot systems,” he stated. “If we have those, Russia will not be able to occupy Kharkiv.”
I informed him that many Americans are concerned about how much money is being spent in Ukraine. This election season, it will be a topic of discussion among American voters.
“We don’t give that money to Ukraine,” he said. “We spend that money in American factories, thereby creating American jobs.” And we’re not the only ones fighting for our freedom. If not Ukraine, then another country.”
After the president left, we went back to see some of the soldiers he had visited.
Maxim, who nearly died in Vovchansk on Wednesday, had his leg lifted with three large metal pins to keep it straight. These are the men who protect Kharkiv. He didn’t appear bothered by his medal.
“It’s an honor,” he informed me. “But I’d prefer to award this to the men who saved my life.”
