Biden, Zelenskyy to discuss Ukraine aid crisis in White House talks

Zelenskyy arrived in the United States on Dec. 11, having previously attended the inauguration of Argentina’s new president, Javier Milea.

This marks the Ukrainian president’s third visit to Washington in the past year.

The presidents will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of continued American support at a “critical moment” when Russia is escalating its missile and drone strikes on Ukraine,” said Biden’s Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell have invited Zelenskyy to speak before the Senate on Dec. 12.

Zelenskyy will also meet with the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson.

Yesterday, Zelenskyy held meetings with top U.S. military officials, including U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown.

He received applause during his address to American military personnel at the National Defense University, held discussions with leaders of American defense companies, and met with World Bank President Ajay Banga.

The White House has proposed a package exceeding $100 billion, encompassing assistance for both Ukraine and Israel. Congressional approval is required before the bills reach President Joe Biden’s desk.

However, the package faced a procedural setback in the Senate on Dec. 6, as Republicans, insisting on stringent changes to U.S. immigration and border policies, blocked its consideration.

Biden decried this stance as “political blackmail,” while reports suggest the administration’s willingness to make concessions on immigration policy to secure approval for military aid to Ukraine and Israel.

Zelenskyy was supposed to speak at a closed briefing for U.S. senators on Dec. 5, where Pentagon and White House representatives hoped to explain the urgent need to approve aid to Ukraine. He canceled at the last minute due to an “urgent issue.” It later emerged that the briefing had turned into a dispute over the U.S. border, so Kyiv decided it would be “inappropriate” for Zelenskyy to participate in the quarrels.

According to a Financial Times poll, the aid package’s fate hangs in the balance as nearly half of American voters (48%) feel the U.S. is overspending on aid to Ukraine. Twenty-seven percent believe Washington is spending the “right amount,” and 11% say the U.S. is not spending enough.

If Congress fails to pass the aid package before the Christmas recess, the White House may face the dilemma of choosing between aiding Ukraine and maintaining U.S. readiness.