Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukraine had a “chance to defeat” Russia as the Kiev army’s new armament plan was about to be approved by the U.S. Congress and backed by President Joe Biden.

The House of Representatives voted on Saturday to provide $60.8 billion in new military aid to Ukraine over right-wing opposition from the chamber’s narrow Republican majority, with the Senate expected to pass the measure this week before Biden signs it. .

“I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces, and I pray… we need it very much and thousands of soldiers need it very much,” Zelensky told NBC’s “Meet the Press” through a translator.

“Then we want to help frontline soldiers get some tangible assistance as quickly as possible – rather than another six months – so they can move on,” he added.

The United States is a major donor to Ukraine’s war effort, but Kiev’s military has suffered losses on the battlefield as congressional approval of additional aid stalled for months. The more than two-year fight against the Russian invasion has reached a virtual stalemate.

After the House voted to approve aid to Ukraine, Biden said, “I urge the Senate to quickly get this package to my desk so I can sign it into law and we can quickly ship weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their emergency needs.” need”. The battlefield requires it. “

Gen. Christopher Cavalli, commander of European Command, told NBC earlier this month that for every artillery shell fired by Ukrainian forces, Russia fired five. He warned that the gap could soon widen if the United States does not provide more aid.

“We need long-range weapons so that we don’t lose people on the front lines because we have, we have casualties because we can’t reach that far. Our weapons don’t have that far range,” Zelensky said in an interview with NBC.

“we need to [that] and air defense. These are our top priorities now,” he added.

Asked whether the aid would help Ukraine win the war or just prolong it, Zelensky said: “It depends on when we actually get the weapons on the ground. … If we get it in half a year – OK , our process has been stalled for half a year, and we have suffered losses in personnel and equipment.”

“Now we have the opportunity to stabilize the situation and take the initiative, which is why we need to really have weapons systems,” Zelensky said. “Give the United States a specific timetable for the war, it depends on how soon they receive aid. There are too many variables, There are too many factors.”

Zelensky also responded to recent reports that former President Donald Trump would pressure Ukraine to give up some territory to Russia in exchange for ending the war if he wins back the White House in the November election, saying : “Rumors and different hearsay, I don’t believe this.”

He also expressed doubts that Russian President Vladimir Putin would agree to and abide by such a solution, saying: “You can never trust Putin.”

“The strategy to end the war should not be based on the words of Putin or his entourage, but on very concrete, tangible things about independence and democracy in Ukraine,” he said.

“I’m sure everyone is interested in this,” he added. “All political leaders are also interested in making Ukraine independent, sovereign and democratic. This is in the interest of both Republicans and Democrats”

Zelensky dismissed complaints that the United States has spent too much money on the war and will continue to do so, saying Americans “first and foremost protect freedom and democracy across Europe.”

“The U.S. Army doesn’t have to fight to protect NATO countries now. The Ukrainians are doing it. It’s just ammunition provided by the civilized world, and I think it’s a good decision,” he said.

The Pentagon says it can quickly send more weapons to Ukraine once Biden signs off on the arms package.

The Defense Department said it has a network of storage locations in the United States and Europe that can deliver supplies to Ukraine within days.

“We very much want to be able to provide emergency security assistance in the amounts that we believe are necessary to be successful,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.