Zelenskiy Jousts with Republicans over Ukraine Funding
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to Washington on Tuesday was met with skepticism from key Republicans as he sought more military support against Russia. Despite the Republican reluctance to approve Democratic President Joe Biden’s funding request of $61.4 billion for Ukraine, Zelenskiy won a pledge at the White House that the U.S. has his back.
In a meeting with House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, Zelenskiy faced demanding questions about how the funding would be used, echoing the sentiment of Republicans in Congress. Johnson expressed concerns about the lack of oversight and a clear strategy to win, demanding answers from the Biden administration.
During a press conference with Zelenskiy, Biden warned lawmakers that their reluctance to provide aid could hand a victory to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine,” he said, emphasizing the need to prove him wrong.
Zelenskiy highlighted the progress Ukraine has made in becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on aid, stressing that his country’s success against Russia impacts other European nations.
With tens of thousands of Ukrainians dead, a budget deficit, and Russian advances in the east, Zelenskiy finds himself urgently seeking support from Washington. However, Republicans, particularly those with close ties to former President Donald Trump, have been reluctant to provide more aid to Ukraine, with some questioning whether it would help Ukraine defeat Russia.
Democrats in Congress accused their political opposition of aiding Putin, suggesting that the gridlock in Congress is sabotaging military aid to Ukraine.
The newly declassified U.S. intelligence indicates that “Russia seems to believe that a military deadlock through the winter will drain Western support for Ukraine,” according to the White House National Security Council. However, the White House has told Congress that the government will no longer have funding to provide more weapons for Ukraine after the end of the year.
With time running out before Congress recesses for the year, Republicans have refused to pass a spending package bill containing the $61.4 billion in Ukraine aid without fiercely disputed changes to U.S. immigration. Lawmakers are divided on whether they will be able to reach an immigration deal and pass the spending package before the end of the year.
Biden has emphasized the importance of providing support to Ukraine, warning that history will harshly judge those who turn their back on freedom’s cause. The war in Ukraine and the immigration issues remain significant points of contention ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential and congressional elections.
About 41% of U.S. adults polled by Reuters/Ipsos last month backed sending weapons to Ukraine, highlighting the public’s divided opinion on the matter.
The visit highlighted the challenges faced by Ukraine as it seeks military support from the U.S., with political divisions and strategic considerations shaping the debate over providing aid to the war-torn country.