‘Much More to Do, We Can’t Walk Away’ – Ukraine at War Update for Jan. 14

In a rare State Department speech before his successor takes over on Jan. 20, outgoing US President Joe Biden pleaded for continued aid to Kyiv in 2025 and beyond, saying that his administration accomplished its goal of rallying the world around Ukraine’s defense.

“As I saw it, when Putin launched his invasion, I had two jobs: to rally the world to defend Ukraine and avoid war between two nuclear powers, Biden said. “We did both...And we’ve laid the foundation for the next administration to preserve a bright future for the Ukrainian people.”

“Compared to four years ago, America is stronger, our alliances are stronger, our adversaries and competitors are weaker,” the US president added. “We have not gone to war to make these things happen.”

In his final remarks at the headquarters of the nation’s diplomats, the 82-year-old, one-term Democrat said Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin had “failed to achieve any of his strategic objectives.” He insisted that the United States under President-elect Donald Trump has “more to do, and can’t walk away” from Ukraine in its nearly three-year defense against a full-scale Kremlin invasion.

Simultaneously, fearing a drawback of US support for Ukraine under Trump, leaders of five European NATO members met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Brussels on Monday to discuss stepped-up cooperation.

Other Topics of Interest

Which War Is It? Friends and Real Friends, Count the Booms

Stefan Korshak, Kyiv Post’s military correspondent, shares his perspective on the developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Poland, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom (also known as the “E5”) announced joint military exercises, which, in a rare move, might have to be conducted without the logistical and command support of the US, the Alliance’s largest military.

“E5 is a format which complements our relations within NATO and the EU. We are here today to coordinate our actions for defense, but also to coordinate our support to Ukraine,” Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said, adding, “2025 must be the year of unleashing the military industry in Europe.”

The E5 nations will elaborate on such plans at the next event which is to be held in Paris at a date to be determined the Polish minister announced.

“We must take on more responsibilities, sharing a concrete vision and commitments, both in the strictly military field and in the industrial and technological sector of defense,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto commented.

Zelensky says that French troop deployment is still on the table

President Volodymyr Zelensky posted to social media on Monday that he and French President Emmanuel Macron had a phone call to discuss the future of that country’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense and their pledge to work with other allies to develop “effective security guarantees.”

Zelensky said that the discussion centered particularly on “the progress of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk operation”, and revisited the previous French pledge to send troops and how to optimize that option.

“As one such guarantee, we discussed the French initiative to deploy military contingents in Ukraine. We addressed practical steps for its implementation, potential expansion, and the involvement of other nations in this effort,” Zelensky said.

NATO leaders in Europe have discussed the idea of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine should a ceasefire be declared under pressure from Trump, who has repeatedly voiced his preference for a quick end to the war.

On Monday, Roderich Kiesewetter, security spokesman for Germany’s main opposition party, said that as the largest economy in the EU, Germany should take part in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine if one is formed, Ukrainska Pravda relayed.

Two killed by artillery in Chasiv Yar, as Russian drone also targeted civilian car in Sumy

At least three civilians were killed by Russian strikes on Monday, as artillery mowed down two older women in Chasiv Yar, near the decimated city of Bakhmut, and a drone strike on a civilian car in northeastern Ukraine killed a 54-year-old woman.

A Russian drone on Monday afternoon local time attacked a civilian vehicle in the town of Velyko Pysarivka in the region of Sumy, bordering Russia, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to her husband, the Regional Prosecutor’s Office said on Facebook.

The drone strike initially wounded both passengers, a 65-year-old man and his 54-year-old wife, state media Ukrinform reported, but the woman succumbed to her injuries en route to the hospital.

The same day in Chasiv Yar, Russian forces launched an artillery attack on the Donetsk region city, the Head of the Regional Military Administration Vadym Filashkin reported, killing two women in their sixties.

“The town once again came under fire from Russian artillery, two women, aged 60 and 66, were killed,” Filashkin wrote.

Ukrinform reported that Russian forces on Monday also shelled the town of Chuhuiv in the Kahrkiv region, damaging a five-story building.