Zelenskyy makes case for more aid to US Congress as support under strain
Global News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned to Washington for a whirlwind one-day visit, this time facing pressure from Republicans questioning U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned to Washington on Thursday for a whirlwind one-day visit, this time facing the Republicans now questioning the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces.
Zelenskyy arrived at the Capitol to talk privately with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate as the world is watching Western support for Kyiv. He will also meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and will speak with U.S. military leaders at the Pentagon.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries escorted Zelenskyy into the Capitol. House Republican leaders, who promised tough questions for Zelenskyy on his plans for the way forward for Ukraine’s war effort, notably chose not to join in greeting the Ukrainian president before the cameras.
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul said Zelenskyy’s message for House lawmakers Thursday was “that he’s winning.”
Speaking to reporters, McCaul stressed “The majority of the majority support this,” but said there had to be confidence in a clear strategy for victory for Ukraine.
“War of attrition is not going to win this,” McCaul said. “That’s what Putin wants. He wants to break the will of the American people and the Europeans.”
Zelenskyy is also expected to make an appearance in Ottawa and Toronto on Friday, sources have confirmed to Global News.
It is Zelenskyy’s second visit to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and comes as Biden’s request to Congress for an additional $24 billion for Ukraine’s military and humanitarian needs is hanging in the balance. Back home, Russia launched its heaviest strikes in a month in the hours before Zelenskyy’s arrival at Congress, killing three, igniting fires and damaging energy infrastructure as Russian missiles and artillery pounded cities across Ukraine.