Ukraine’s Zelenskyy joins a meeting of global defense leaders to make a direct plea for military aid

By LORNE COOK and LOLITA BALDOR
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has joined a meeting of more than 50 defense leaders from around the world to make a personal pitch for military aid in the war against Russia. Political support in the United States has been lagging, and allies are now under pressure to send weapons to bolster Israel in its war with Hamas. Zelenskyy’s presence Wednesday at the meeting in Brussels underscores growing concerns about cracks in what’s been staunch international backing for Kyiv as Ukrainian forces haven’t made measurable progress in a counteroffensive.