Ukraine’s Zelensky arrives at US Capitol to counter war fatigue, address sceptical Republicans
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (centre), with US House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (left).
PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the US Capitol on Thursday as Republican sceptics question whether Congress should approve a new round of aid for Ukraine despite slow progress fighting Russia.
Mr Zelensky travelled to Washington after seeking to shore up international support at the United Nations,
Mr Zelensky will meet with leaders of the Republican-led House of Representatives and House national security committees before a private session with the full US Senate.
While Mr Biden and most congressional leaders still support aid to Ukraine, and Mr Biden’s Democrats control the Senate, Mr Zelensky will face a tougher crowd than when he visited Washington nine months ago.
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.
The US has sent some US$113 billion (S$155 billion) in security and humanitarian aid to help Mr Zelensky’s government since Russia invaded in February 2022.
Russia carried out its biggest missile attack in weeks
Mr Zelensky on Wednesday pressed his case for financial help with some of America’s best-known billionaires who made their fortunes in industries ranging from finance to tech and sports.
Biden administration officials held a classified briefing for Congress on Wednesday evening, to push for an additional US$24 billion, saying if Russian President Vladimir Putin was allowed to take control of Ukraine and pushed through to the border of Nato, the cost to the United States would be much higher.
But some Republicans were not convinced.
“If there’s some path in victory in Ukraine, I didn’t hear it today, and I also heard that there’s going to be no end to the funding requests,” Republican Senator Josh Hawley, a vocal critic of Ukraine aid, told reporters.
Mr Biden will announce a new US$325 million military aid package for Ukraine, which is expected to include the second tranche of cluster munitions fired by a 155mm Howitzer cannon.
“If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?” Mr Biden asked world leaders at the United Nations on Tuesday.
Congress approved Ukraine assistance easily when both the Senate and House were controlled by Democrats. Mr Zelensky, who has become a powerful advocate for his country, was greeted as a hero when he addressed a joint meeting of Congress in December.
Support in the Senate, both from Mr Biden’s fellow Democrats and Republicans, has remained strong.
“Our nation has a fundamental interest in Ukrainian victory and European security,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in a Senate speech on Wednesday, where he criticised Mr Biden for acting too slowly to help Ukraine.
Solid majorities of Americans support providing weapons to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows.
But some of the Republicans who took narrow control of the House in January are questioning the wisdom of continuing to send funds to Kyiv. About a third of the House Republican caucus voted in July for a failed proposal to cut funding for Ukraine.
Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy did not arrange a meeting on Thursday where Mr Zelensky could make his case for continued assistance to the entire House, just a small meeting with himself and a few other leaders.
Mr McCarthy, who as speaker controls what legislation comes up for House votes, said Mr Zelensky needed to convince him to back continued aid.
“Is Zelensky elected to Congress? Is he our president? I don’t have to commit anything,” Mr McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday. “I have questions for him. Where’s the accountability on the money we’ve already spent? What is the plan for victory? I think that’s what the American public wants to know.” REUTERS
