According to the Ukrainian presidency, the meeting will be about “further cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the field of defense, in particular through joint projects on the production of weapons and air defense systems.” In addition, the “coordination of efforts between the two states in the coming year” should be discussed. Biden’s spokeswoman Pierce noted the “critical importance of continued support from the United States at this critical moment.”
A billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine is currently blocked by the opposition Republicans in the US Congress. Last Wednesday, the Conservatives withheld support for the package in a vote in the Senate.
During his visit to Washington, Zelenskyj now wants to ask House of Representatives Chairman Johnson to release the funds. The meeting between the two will take place in the Capitol, the Republican’s office said on Sunday. The Ukrainian president was also invited to speak at a meeting of all senators.
Biden asked Congress in October for a financial package of $106 billion. It includes, among other things, $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel in the war against the radical Islamic Hamas, aid for other allies such as Taiwan and funds to protect the US’s southern border with Mexico.
Among Republicans, there is support for new aid to Israel, but resistance to new funding for Ukraine. They also demand concessions on immigration policy and securing the border with Mexico.
Biden had warned Republican senators that Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin would not end his attacks if he won in Ukraine and that he could even attack a NATO country. “It can’t wait any longer,” he said on Wednesday, referring to aid to Ukraine. The White House spoke of a pivotal moment in the war as “Russia is increasing its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine.”
Washington is Kiev’s main supporter in the war against Russian invading forces. Just on Wednesday, the US State Department announced the release of new emergency aid to Ukraine worth $175 million, including Himars rocket launchers and ammunition. Since the start of the Russian war of aggression in February 2022, the USA has already delivered or promised military aid worth over $44 billion to Ukraine.
Zelensky, who was in Buenos Aires on Sunday for the inauguration of the new Argentine President Javier Milei, was already in Washington at the end of September and had appealed for weapons aid there. Zelenskyj also traveled to Washington in December last year and gave a speech to Congress there. It was his first trip abroad after the Russian war of aggression began on February 24, 2022.
