Zelenskyy to address US military in Washington as funding for weapons runs out

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to speak before US military officials at the National Defense University on Monday, aiming to urgently persuade Congress to allocate additional funds for weaponry before the current funding expires.

President Joe Biden has asked Congress for $61.4 billion for wartime funding for Ukraine as part of a $110 billion package that also includes money for Israel and other national security priorities.

But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. The US has already provided Ukraine $111 billion for its fight against Russia’s 2022 invasion.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy is anticipated to visit Capitol Hill and hold discussions with President Biden at the White House.

As Congress enters its final work week before the holiday break, uncertainties persist regarding the possibility of Republicans reaching consensus on future funding for Ukraine and Israel.

This hinges on whether the White House is willing to make concessions on additional border security amid a surge in illegal crossings. However, any such border-related agreement carries the risk of alienating certain Democrats.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised the critical nature of the situation for Ukraine during Sunday’s television interviews, highlighting the imminent depletion of funding.

He stressed the need for decisive action, warning that failure to provide necessary support could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin to advance without hindrance, particularly in Ukraine.

With inputs from AP