Table of Contents
In a recent news conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his military leaders are asking for a lot more soldiers. They want to add between 450,000 and 500,000 more people to the military to fight Russia.
Zelensky said this is a very important decision and needs careful planning before he agrees.
There have also been some challenges with help from the US and the EU. The US Congress did not approve a $60 billion military support plan for Ukraine. However, the US said it is planning to give more help in the future.
Hungary, a country in the EU, stopped a €50 billion financial aid plan for Ukraine. But leaders in the EU said they would still help Ukraine somehow.
Ukraine has a shortage of ammunition and other supplies. Some people are worried that Russia might win the war if they don’t get more help.
This week in Russia, President Vladimir Putin said that his country will keep fighting until they achieve all their goals in Ukraine. He also said Russia had 617,000 soldiers fighting in Russia’s “special operation.”
He admitted that Russia’s army has some problems, but he says they’re working to fix them.
In Zelensky’s news conference, he also said that Ukraine could produce one million drones in 2024. When asked about peace talks, he said that it’s not possible with Russia now. Zelensky first wants to get all of Ukraine back from Russia, including Crimea.
Vocabulary
- Conference – an event where people meet to discuss something, sometimes for more than one day
- President – leader; the top person in a large company, organization, or country; boss
- Military – armed forces; army; agency or department of a government for combat/war
- Leader – someone who is in charge of a group, organization or country; a boss or manager; a person who guides, directs, or commands a group
- Soldier – a person who fights for their country; a person who fights in/for a military
- Decision – a choice that you make about something after thinking about several possibilities/options; choice; ruling;
- Agree – To have the same opinion or feeling as someone else; to say “yes” to something
- Challenge – problem; obstacle; something that needs a lot of work in order to be done successfully,
- The European Union (EU) – 27 countries in Europe that work closely together
- Congress – a group of elected officials/politicians who make laws
- Approve – officially agree; accept; to say “yes”; authorize
- Billion – 1,000,000,000 = one-billion
- Support – to agree with a person or idea; to approve of an idea; promote; to help
- Financial aid – Money given to help a person, group, or country
- Somehow – In some way or another; not sure how, but will do it
- Shortage – limited supply; not enough; too little
- Ammunition – a supply of bullets, missiles or shells
- Supplies – Things that are needed to do a job or task; things or tools needed to live and/or work
- Achieve – To successfully complete or accomplish something
- Goal – aim or purpose; objective; target; something you want to achieve or complete
- Operation – A planned and organized project/mission, especially a military or medical one
- Admit – allow (someone) to enter a place; accept; take in
- Million – 1,000,000 = one-million
- Drone – an aircraft/vehicle that does not have a pilot/driver but is controlled by someone far away/remotely
- Peace – When there is no war or fighting; When everyone is happy
- Peace talk – Discussions or meetings to try and stop a war or disagreement
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel about the US and the EU’s decisions regarding financial and military aid to Ukraine?
- What challenges might arise for Ukraine if they continue to face a shortage of ammunition and supplies?
- How might the production of one million drones by Ukraine in 2024 impact the situation?
- Should countries focus on helping Ukraine win the war or on trying to achieve peace quickly?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
In a recent _____ conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his military _____ are asking for a lot more soldiers. They _____ to add between 450,000 and _____ more people to the military to fight Russia.
Zelensky _____ this is a very important decision and needs careful planning _____ he agrees.
There have also been _____ challenges with help from the US and the EU. The US Congress _____ not approve a $60 billion military support plan for _____. However, the US said it is planning to give more help in the _____.
Hungary, a _____ in the EU, stopped a €_____ billion financial aid plan for Ukraine. But leaders in the EU said they would still help Ukraine _____.
Ukraine has a _____ of ammunition and other supplies. Some people are worried that Russia might win the _____ if they don’t get more help.
This week in _____, President Vladimir Putin said that his country will keep fighting until they _____ all their goals in Ukraine. He also said Russia had _____ soldiers fighting in Russia’s “special operation.”
He _____ that Russia’s army has some problems, but he says they’re working to _____ them.
In Zelensky’s news _____, he also said that Ukraine could produce one _____ drones in 2024. When asked about peace talks, he said that it’s _____ possible with Russia now. Zelensky first wants to get _____ of Ukraine back from Russia, including Crimea.
