Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sought to bolster US support for his country in Washington yesterday, as he met with President Joe Biden amid skepticism among Republicans in Congress over a new round of military aid to defend against Russia.
After seeking international support at the United Nations on Wednesday, Zelenskiy came to Washington on a crosstown blitz that included meetings with military leaders at the Pentagon and a visit to the US Capitol ahead of an address in the evening at the National Archives museum.
Biden, who was set to announce a new $325 million military aid package for Ukraine, lauded the bravery of the Ukrainian people as he met Zelenskiy in the Oval Office.
“Together with our partners and allies, the American people are determined to see to it to that (we do) all we can to ensure that the world stands with you,” Biden said in comments at the start of their meeting.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine greatly appreciates US assistance “to combat Russian terror” and said he would discuss Ukraine’s defence needs with Biden, with a special emphasis on air defence.
“Today I’m in Washington to strengthen our ability to defend Ukrainian children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy in the world,” he added.
While Biden and most congressional leaders still support aid to Ukraine, and Biden’s Democrats control the Senate, Zelenskiy faced a tougher crowd than when he visited Washington nine months ago.
Dressed in military green to reflect his status as a wartime leader, Zelenskiy briefed the full US Senate in the Capitol’s historic Old Senate Chamber, receiving several standing ovations, according to a post on the platform X by Senator Chris Murphy.
Zelenskiy told senators that military aid was crucial to Ukraine’s war effort, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in the Senate chamber after the briefing, which took place behind closed doors.
“If we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war,” Schumer quoted Zelenskiy as saying.
Zelenskiy later described his meetings with lawmakers as frank and constructive.
Zelenskiy held discussions with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior Pentagon leaders. He visited the Pentagon’s 9/11 memorial where he and his wife each placed a bouquet of sunflowers, irises and other flowers.
As Ukraine’s military counteroffensive grinds on and Congress stages a bitter debate over spending ahead of a possible government shutdown, a growing chorus of Republicans have questioned the billions of dollars Washington has sent Kyiv for military, economic and humanitarian needs.
“What is the point of cutting off support now when we’re at a turning point in the war?” said Schumer, a Democrat, taking aim at Republican critics of the aid. “Now is not the time to take the foot off the gas when it comes to helping Ukraine.”
The US has sent some $113 billion in security and humanitarian aid to help Zelenskiy’s government since Russia invaded in February 2022.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration was focused on making sure there was the necessary support and resources for Ukraine.
“I believe, based on my consultations on the Hill with both Republicans and Democrats, that there will be,” Sullivan said yesterday at a White House news briefing.
Biden will announce a new military aid package for Ukraine including air defence systems and other weaponry to help Kyiv ahead of a tough winter, Sullivan said.
The package will also include the second tranche of cluster munitions fired by a 155-millimeter Howitzer cannon, according to a US official.
Russia carried out its biggest missile attack in weeks across Ukraine yesterday, pounding energy facilities in what officials said appeared to be the first salvo in a new air campaign against the Ukrainian power grid.
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