Zelensky flew to Washington, met with congressmen and Biden: he asks for money and weapons for Ukraine

On December 11, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky flew to Washington. He is personally appealing for military and economic assistance, which he says is necessary to continue defending Ukraine from Russian invasion, reports CNN.

Photo: IStock

Zelensky, visiting Washington for the third time since the start of the war in Ukraine, met with members of Congress and US President Joe Biden on December 12. On December 11, he met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and addressed the American military elite at the National Defense University (NDU).

On December 12, the United States declassified new intelligence about Russia's losses in the war. Intelligence shows that the Russian military continues to suffer heavy casualties in the war, but it is also determined to keep pushing forward.

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The goal of Zelensky's visit is to reach agreement on an additional funding package that includes vital aid to the war-torn country. But Ukraine’s funding is under threat. Republicans in Congress want the Biden administration to make concessions on border security and immigration policy in exchange for the relief package.

A deal remains unlikely as the holidays approach.

While Biden has said he is open to compromise, the Republican bloc remains wary of the idea of ​​increasing the more than $100 billion in aid to Ukraine already approved by Congress. Biden officials said no one is better positioned to defend his country's interests than Zelensky himself.

Zelensky expects US assistance to Ukraine

Zelensky told senators he still counts on U.S. support for his country, according to Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut.

According to Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, the senators' questions focused mainly on responsibility for US aid. Zelensky tried to assure senators that no money would be used in corruption schemes in Ukraine.

Rounds said Zelensky did not specify the amount of total U.S. support Ukraine would need. But he tried to convince senators that Ukraine needed more air defense systems as soon as possible to block the land bridge to Crimea.

In a social media post after the meeting, Zelensky described the conversation as "friendly and frank" and thanked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell "for their personal leadership in mobilizing bipartisan support for Ukraine among American lawmakers."

“I informed members of the US Senate about the current military and economic situation in Ukraine, the importance of receiving vital US support and answered their questions,” Zelensky wrote in a message on X.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said it was a "very good and productive meeting." Walking past journalists before the meeting, Zelensky did not answer the questions shouted at him.

Schumer added that Zelensky "has made it so clear how much he needs help," including exactly what kind of help Ukraine needs and how that help will allow his country to win. The U.S. failure to provide additional aid will likely make Ukraine's European allies wary, Schumer warned.

"Europe and many other allies will say, 'What's going on here?' - he said.

Another lawmaker, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley, drew parallels between Republican inaction and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's early but ultimately failed strategy to appease Adolf Hitler's regime in Germany.

“Those who oppose ... aid to Ukraine are making the same mistake that Chamberlain made,” Merkley said, warning Republicans not to let history repeat itself.

Low chances of deal success

Some Republicans who attended the meeting said they were unmoved after hearing Zelensky's plea for help. They insist Biden still needs to bargain.

“I don’t know if he made a difference at all,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said after the meeting.

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“The only thing that's really holding it back at this point is the reluctance of the White House to acknowledge that they're going to have to deal with the border component rather than just paying for current policies,” he said.

Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, an outspoken critic of sending additional funding to Ukraine, left Zelensky's meeting with other senators early. He said Zelensky provided senators with an “update on strategic milestones” and began answering questions but did not change his views on Ukraine funding.

Another senator who attended the meeting said Zelensky allayed some Republican concerns about corruption in the Ukrainian government and the potential misappropriation of funding.

Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, said he supports increasing aid to Ukraine if it is tied to tougher border policies. He said Zelensky is not getting involved in the political differences that are preventing an agreement to increase aid.

“We kept him at a high level,” Mullin said. — We are working on this process. And he understood it. He was very respectful. He said: “I understand that. I’m just here to let you guys know that we need you guys.”

But Mullin later said hopes for a deal remain weak without significant concessions from the Biden administration. Previously, the president said he was ready for a compromise, but did not specify what exactly he might agree to.

“There is no chance that a Ukraine-Israel aid package will pass the House without truly meaningful border security,” said Mullin, a former House member who maintains close ties to some of his former colleagues. “And I will tell you that both the Republicans, we are all in lockstep with the House Republicans on this issue.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville has been clear about his continued position on providing more aid to Ukraine.

"We're out of money," the Alabama Republican said.

Johnson calls White House response 'insufficient'

After a roughly 30-minute meeting with Zelensky - their first one-on-one meeting - House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Biden administration's response to congressional Republican demands had been "insufficient" and reiterated his position that a deal remains unlikely without " transformative changes" at the border.

Johnson said his meeting with Zelensky was “good” but remained firm in his position that the border should be the focus. He demanded greater clarity from the White House on Ukraine strategy.

Johnson insisted that the White House had failed to formulate a clear strategy and at this stage it was all up to the Senate and the White House.

“I've been asking the White House since the day I was given the gavel... we need a clear strategy to enable Ukraine to win,” he said. “And so far their answers have been vague.”

“This is not a House issue right now,” Johnson added. “The problem lies with the White House and the Senate, and I implore them to do their job because the time has come.”

Biden allocated $200 million to finance Ukraine

Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Zelensky in the Oval Office, Biden announced he would allocate $200 million in funding already approved by Congress to help Ukraine with its defense needs.

While it's a small portion of the $60 billion Biden has requested for Ukraine, the funds will be released soon, the president said.

“Congress needs to pass additional funding for Ukraine,” Biden said. “Otherwise, Putin will receive the greatest Christmas gift anyone can give him.”

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Biden repeated earlier warnings that a Russian victory could lead to a cascading collapse of democratic norms and values ​​throughout Europe and the world.

“We've seen what happens when dictators don't pay for the damage, death and destruction they cause,” Biden said. - They continue to act. The threat to America, Europe and the world will only increase unless we act.”

“And I intend to act,” he added.

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