Ukraine’s Zelensky pushes for continued US support amid war fatigue in Washington
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has E embarked on his second wartime visit to Washington, aiming to secure additional aid to combat Russian invaders, despite growing signs of war weariness among US lawmakers.
Zelensky is set to hold talks with President Joe Biden at the White House and will visit the Pentagon in his quest for more weaponry, including longer-range missiles, to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities.
However, the pivotal part of his visit may well be meetings with leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties in the US Congress. Here, a crucial multibillion-dollar aid package for Kyiv faces the risk of being blocked.
The White House has emphasized the critical nature of Zelensky’s visit as Ukraine’s slow-moving counteroffensive against Russian forces continues into the fall.
Zelensky arrives in Washington following his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he called on the world to stand in solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s actions, which he described as “genocidal.”
He appealed to Americans to maintain their support, which has seen Washington allocate over $43 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, stating, “We are on the finishing line.”
However, this visit to Washington differs significantly from Zelensky’s first wartime visit in December 2022, marked by secret arrival and a hero’s welcome. Doubts now loom over the future of US assistance, with some hardline Republicans expressing reluctance to approve funding that includes aid for Ukraine, even if it prevents a US government shutdown.
Biden, committed to standing by Kyiv, views his support for Ukraine as a demonstration of his global leadership, particularly as he gears up for his 2024 reelection campaign.
During Zelensky’s visit, he and his wife, Olena Zelenska, will be welcomed by US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House before engaging in head-to-head talks in the Oval Office.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby noted that Zelensky’s request for longer-range ATACMS missiles capable of striking up to 300 kilometers (190 miles) remains under consideration. Kirby stated, “The president will be talking to President Zelensky about his needs and about how the United States will continue to meet those needs.”
At the United Nations, Biden warned against abandoning Ukraine, asserting that “Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.” This warning coincided with Poland’s decision to cease arming Ukraine amid a dispute over grain exports.
Zelensky faces the delicate task of winning over Congress, where Ukraine’s prospects are intertwined with the looming government shutdown drama. Hard-right Republican lawmakers are impeding the White House’s demand for a budget bill to include an additional $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Kyiv. Even more moderate Republicans harbor reservations, questioning the plan for victory and expressing concerns about the pace of Kyiv’s counteroffensive and potential corruption.
Former President Donald Trump, a leading contender to challenge Biden in the upcoming election, has argued that the funds could be better spent domestically and has predicted eventual success for Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he admires.
