Zelenskyy’s whirlwind DC tour
Hoping to compel the U.S. Congress to pass
the Ukraine
aid bill before Christmas, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington,
meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and Capitol Hill lawmakers.
Zelenskyy arrived in the United States on Dec. 11, after attending the inauguration of Argentine President Javier Milei. This marks the Ukrainian president’s third visit to Washington in the past year.
This time, as the White House reported, Biden invited Zelenskyy to "underscore the unwavering commitment of the United States to support the people of Ukraine."
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the presidents discussed Ukraine's urgent needs and the vital importance of continued U.S. support at a "critical moment" as "Russia ramps up its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine."
Zelesnkyy’s office identified these main topics for Zelensky's negotiations in the United States:
- continuation of defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United States, including joint weapons and air defense system production projects;
- coordination of U.S. and Ukrainian efforts in the coming year;
- ensuring Western unity in supporting Ukraine;
- strengthening the international rules-based order and respect for the sovereignty of every nation.
Despite these efforts, it now seems unlikely that Congress would pass a bill that allocates $61 billion to military assistance to Kyiv. According to Reuters, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that it is "practically impossible" for Congress to approve an additional funding package for Ukraine by Christmas. He said that it will not happen until Biden reaches an agreement with Republicans who are demanding tighter security on the U.S.-Mexican border.
Following the meeting with Zelenskyy, Biden announced another $200 million aid package to Ukraine, largely focused on munitions for weapons systems transferred to Kyiv earlier.
“Congress needs to pass supplemental funding for Ukraine before they break for the holiday recess, before they give Putin the greatest Christmas gift they could possibly give him,” CNN quotes the U.S. President.
Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy also met with House Speaker Mike Johnson. The Ukrainian president briefed Johnson on the situation on the battlefield and Kyiv’s reforms aimed at "returning our state to economic self-sufficiency in the future."
“Bipartisan and bicameral support in Congress is a very important factor, and we greatly appreciate it; Ukraine takes the military and financial aid from the U.S. very responsibly,” Zelenskyy said.
Johnson stated that he had a “good meeting” with Zelenskyy. In turn, he criticized the White House for failing to formulate a clear path to Ukraine's victory, which Republicans see as a necessary condition for unblocking military aid, according to the New York Times.
"Our first condition regarding any additional national security spending package relates to our own security," Johnson added.
The speaker stated that he told Zelenskyy that he "stands with him against Putin's brutal invasion."
The head of state also met with Democratic member of the U.S. Congress, discussing additional efforts to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses ahead of Russia’s anticipated air strike campaign, as well as programs to launch joint U.S.-Ukrainian arms manufacturing ventures.
“Now, when Ukraine has liberated 50% of its territories illegally occupied by Russians since 2022, secured the work of the grain corridor, and is winning in the Black Sea, we need the continued support of the United States and unity of our partners more than ever,” Zelenskyy said during a meeting with House Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries and his congressional colleagues.
During the same visit, Zelenskyy also discussed ways of external funding for Ukraine in 2024 with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, the President’s Office reported.
The Ukrainian president expressed gratitude for the significant support provided to Ukraine by the IMF from the first days of the war. The parties detailed the discussion on external financing for Ukraine in 2024 and further joint steps to mobilize financial support for Kyiv from international partners.
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