Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a dire message to the US Congress, cautioning that Ukraine could lose its ongoing war against Russia if the vital flow of financial aid is disrupted. His remarks come amid growing debates within American political circles over the continuation of aid to Ukraine.
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, a prominent advocate of President Joe Biden’s pro-Ukraine policies, shared insights from his conversation with Zelensky, stating that the Ukrainian leader had stressed, “if we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war.”
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has played a leading role in providing Western support to Ukraine. Congress has approved over $100 billion in aid, including $43 billion in weaponry, to date. However, a conservative faction within the Republican Party has increasingly voiced opposition to continuing this aid, driven in part by former President Donald Trump’s influence as he contemplates a return to the White House in 2024.
This complex backdrop made Zelensky’s latest visit to Congress, which followed stops at the Pentagon and a meeting with President Biden at the White House, notably more challenging than his triumphant reception during his first visit in December 2022.
As he arrived in Washington, Zelensky expressed anticipation of “important negotiations” and underscored the significance of “air defense for Ukraine” amid ongoing Russian missile strikes across the country.
Instead of a prominent televised address to lawmakers at the Capitol, as on his previous visit, Zelensky initiated this visit by meeting with Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, who offered a subdued welcome. McCarthy is grappling with internal party divisions over US spending in Ukraine.
Some Republicans argue that these funds could be better allocated to US border security, expressing concerns about the pace of Ukraine’s counteroffensive and fears that corruption within Ukraine might compromise the aid’s effectiveness.
This dissent has also spread to parts of the Republican Senate, where a group of six senators issued a joint letter vowing to block future funding requests, declaring that “enough is enough.”
However, there remains optimism from some quarters, including moderate Republican Michael McCaul, head of the House Foreign Affairs committee, who reported that Zelensky conveyed that “he’s winning” and that Ukraine is poised to receive the $24 billion aid tranche sought by the White House.
As Zelensky’s visit coincides with Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive against Russian forces, the discussions surrounding aid allocation and support have gained increased significance. President Biden, who has vowed unwavering support for Ukraine, seeks to emphasize his global leadership by maintaining this commitment, especially in the lead-up to his 2024 reelection campaign.
The White House has described Zelensky’s visit as occurring at a “critical time,” with Ukraine’s counteroffensive continuing ahead of the challenging winter months. While Zelensky’s request for longer-range ATACMS missiles remains under consideration, President Biden remains committed to standing by Kyiv’s side.
As the US president and First Lady welcome Zelensky and his wife at the White House, head-to-head talks in the Oval Office are expected to delve into the ongoing crisis and the crucial role of US support in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
President Biden, addressing the UN earlier this week, warned against abandoning Ukraine, asserting that “Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.” His message underscores the international importance of standing in solidarity with Ukraine during these critical times.
Sources By Agencies
