Zelenskiy pleads for Ukraine war funds during Washington visit

Though many Republicans are likely to view him with scepticism, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met US senators on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to make a final pitch to maintain military support while he fights Russia.

Arriving for a closed-door discussion with U.S. senators, Zelenskiy was greeted with prolonged ovation while sporting an olive-drab pair of trousers and a black top. The leading Democrat in the chamber, Chuck Schumer, and the leading Republican, Mitch McConnell, were with him.

With tens of thousands of dead Ukrainians, a massive budget deficit, and Russian advances in the east, Zelenskiy is pleading with Washington for much-needed military and humanitarian assistance as winter approaches.

On Tuesday, the second day of Zelenskiy’s visit to Washington, he is scheduled to have a private meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.

After there, Zelenskiy will go to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden for a press conference scheduled for 4:15 p.m. local time (2115 GMT).

On December 4, the White House informed Congress that after the year ends, funding for the government to continue supplying Ukraine with weaponry will cease. after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Congress has approved more than $110 billion for the country; however, after Republicans seized the House from Democrats in January, no fresh funding has been approved.

Some Republicans are against further aid to Ukraine and are pressing for reform, especially those closest to former President Donald Trump.

Republican Senator Johnson has stated that Congress needs more information regarding the administration’s goals in Ukraine. His fellow Republicans have stated that any more aid must come with modifications to immigration laws, which are a highly contentious topic in American politics.

Johnson stated on Tuesday that he was awaiting word from the White House. He informed Hugh Hewitt, a conservative radio presenter, that “there is no return volley.” Additionally, he insisted that the Democratic president participate directly in the bill’s talks, calling it “far, far overdue.”

Zelenskiy told an audience of US military personnel on Monday, “If there’s anyone inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill, it’s just (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his sick clique.”

According to Adrienne Watson, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, recently disclosed U.S. information indicates that “Russia seems to believe that a military deadlock through the winter will drain Western support for Ukraine” and ultimately give Russia the upper hand.

She continued, “Ukraine is succeeding in halting Russian forces, but Putin is ordering his troops ahead despite significant losses in men and equipment since October.”

With just three days left before Congress adjourns for the year on Friday, Republicans in the House of Representatives have so far resisted passing a spending package bill that includes $61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine without enacting hotly debated reforms to immigration laws in the United States.

Senate Republicans said they were losing hope that they could work with Democrats to get an immigration agreement.

With his statement that “history is going to judge harshly those who turn their back on freedom’s cause,” Biden has put the situation in clear terms.

Biden and others warn that if an unrestrained Putin invades a European ally protected by NATO’s mutual defence guarantees, eventually American forces may have to confront Russia.

With the support of billions of dollars in U.S. military hardware, humanitarian supplies, and intelligence, Ukraine successfully repelled Russia’s initial effort to take over the nation. However, in a significant counteroffensive attempt this year, Kyiv was unable to breach Russian defensive lines, and Russia is now on the attack in the east.

It is anticipated that the war and immigration issues would become hot button topics leading up to the 2024 U.S. presidential and legislative elections. Biden and Trump

(With agency inputs)