| 15 September 2023
Washington, D.C.- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is poised to make a crucial diplomatic visit to the United States next week, where he will endeavor to secure ongoing aid for his beleaguered nation. The visit comes as details have emerged, revealing Zelenskyy's plans to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House and address Congress during a pivotal debate over federal spending.
This high-stakes visit to the heart of American governance, set for next Thursday, arrives as lawmakers confront an impending deadline of September 30th to pass the federal budget. The Biden administration is fervently urging Congress to allocate $24 billion in support for Ukraine, encompassing $13.1 billion for additional military aid and $8.5 billion for humanitarian assistance.
However, a significant hurdle looms in the form of opposition from some politicians, particularly within the Republican Party. These lawmakers are skeptical about sending further financial aid and supplies to Ukraine as it grapples with the ongoing Russian conflict. Notably, Congress has already approved a substantial sum, exceeding $113 billion, in aid for Ukraine. Nonetheless, the last time funding was authorized for Ukraine was in December, preceding the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives. With a slim conservative majority in the lower chamber, the influence of far-right politicians has grown, making budgetary decisions more contentious. As recently as July, 70 House Republicans, led by Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, supported a proposal to cease security assistance to Ukraine entirely.
Zelenskyy's appearance at Capitol Hill next week will mark his second visit since the full-scale Russian invasion commenced in February 2022. During his initial visit in December, the Ukrainian president delivered a fervent address before Congress, rallying lawmakers against Russian "aggression."
"It is just a matter of time when they will strike against your other allies if we do not stop them now. We must do it," Zelenskyy told the US Congress. "Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way."
While Zelenskyy has made few trips outside Ukraine since the invasion began, his upcoming presence in the United States coincides with the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York. His attendance was uncertain until recently, but experts speculate that he is striving to garner support for Ukraine's war effort by engaging with world leaders face-to-face.
Earlier this year, Zelenskyy embarked on surprise visits to the Netherlands and Japan, adopting a similar approach to rally backing from global powers.
Ukraine finds itself entrenched in a challenging, protracted counteroffensive as it endeavors to reclaim territory held by Russian forces. As President Zelenskyy gears up for his critical visit to Washington, the outcome of the congressional budget debate will weigh heavily on the future of Ukrainian-U.S. relations and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
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