2023-09-21 14:22:40
Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington to maintain American support
Aware of the risk of weariness on the part of the great American ally, Volodymyr Zelensky will try Thursday in Washington to convince the United States to help him pass ” the finish line “ facing Russia, in his words.
The mood has changed since his December 21, 2022 visit to the US capital, his first trip abroad since Russia’s invasion in February of the same year. Since then, the sense of urgency has faded, and the Republican opposition has taken control of one of the chambers of Parliament. This time Volodymyr Zelensky will not be received with great fanfare at the Capitol, the seat of Congress. However, he is expected to meet with leaders of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
The most anticipated interview, and the most difficult, will be with the Republican boss of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy. “I have some questions for him. Can he account for the money we have already spent? What is the strategy for victory? »launched the conservative leader on Tuesday, under pressure from the right wing of his party to cut off supplies to kyiv.
This financial aspect is further complicated by the very short-term risk of a budgetary paralysis in the United States, if parliamentarians cannot agree before October 1 on at least a provisional finance law. The discussions stumble, in part, on the budget devoted to military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He is « vital » that Congress releases the $24 billion requested by the executive to support the Ukrainians, John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said Wednesday.
Volodymyr Zelensky must also pass through the Pentagon on Thursday, before being received, along with his wife, by Joe and Jill Biden. A meeting between the two presidents will follow in the Oval Office, then a meeting extended to delegations from the two countries. The American president wants “get an idea of what is happening on the battlefield”but also “tell President Zelensky very clearly that we are with them for as long as it takes”John Kirby said Wednesday.
The visit of the Ukrainian president is logically accompanied by speculation about a new announcement of American military aid. The main person concerned himself admitted to CNN that he would feel “a certain disappointment” if he did not leave Washington with the promise of receiving ATACMS long-range tactical missiles. The delivery of such missiles is not “not excluded”declared John Kirby, specifying however that“no decision [n’avait] was taken “.
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