Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Washington on Tuesday to make an in-person plea for the military and economic aid he said is necessary to continue Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky, visiting Washington for the third time since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, met with members of Congress Tuesday morning and President Joe Biden.
The visit also comes as a deal for a supplemental funding package that includes crucial aid for the war-torn country remains logjammed by congressional Republicans who want the Biden administration to make concessions on border security and immigration policy in exchange for the aid package.
A deal remains unlikely with a holiday recess looming.
Here are key takeaways from Zelensky’s day in the nation’s capital:
Biden says US will support Ukraine "as long as we can": During a joint news conference with the Ukrainian leader Tuesday, Biden vowed the US will support Ukraine for “as long as we can.”
The comment represented a subtle but noteworthy shift in public messaging from the president, who previously said the US will support the country in its defense against the Russian invasion for “as long as it takes.”
Biden’s comments could represent a more pragmatic view from the president on the future of Ukraine aid, with time — and potentially political will — running out before Congress breaks for the holidays to pass more funding, and with future security assistance uncertain under a potential new presidential administration.
Months ago, Biden vowed the country’s “commitment to Ukraine will not weaken.”
Zelensky tells senators he expects US to come through for Ukraine: Earlier in the day, Zelensky told senators that he’s still counting on US support to come through for his nation, according to Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
The questions from senators were mostly about accountability for US aid and Zelensky tried to assure senators that no money would be used corruptly in Ukraine, according to GOP Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota.
In a social media post following the meeting, Zelensky described the conversation as “friendly and candid” and thanked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell “for their personal leadership in rallying bipartisan support for Ukraine among U.S. legislators.”
Some Republicans who attended that meeting said they remained unmoved after hearing Zelensky’s request for assistance, insisting Biden still needed to bargain.
Johnson says White House response "insufficient": Following a roughly 30-minute meeting with Zelensky – their first one-on-one encounter – House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Biden administration’s response to congressional Republicans’ demands has been “insufficient,” and reiterated his stance that a deal remains unlikely without a “transformative change” at the border.
Biden releases $200 million in Ukraine funding: Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Zelensky in the Oval Office, Biden announced he would be releasing $200 million in funding already approved by Congress to help Ukraine with its defensive needs.
While that’s a small fraction of the $60 billion sought by Biden for Ukraine in his supplemental funding request, the funds will be released shortly, the president said.
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