President Biden has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the White House to show solidarity with the war-torn country, it was announced Sunday.
Zelensky was invited to the White House for a meeting on Tuesday to “reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the United States to support the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal aggression,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
“As Russia escalates its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the critical importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical time,” Jean-Pierre added.
Zelensky last visited Washington, DC, in September after a trip to the UN General Assembly of World Leaders Summit in New York.
At the time, Biden pushed Congress for $24 billion in additional aid to the war-torn nation.
The president has lobbied Congress to send more aid to Ukraine. APAImages/Shutterstock
Congress has yet to provide more aid. Now that request hovers around $61 billion, according to an additional $106-billion bill announced by the White House in October that features support for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the border.
Negotiations on further aid to Ukraine have been crippled by sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats over how to proceed with border allocations.
Republicans insisted that more aid to Ukraine would be paired with strengthened border security.
Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Murphy (D-Ct.) led the discussion on the Senate side.
This is the Senate’s last week to pass legislation this year, raising the stakes to strike a deal.
Volodymyr Zelensky met with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in September. Getty Images
The Biden White House is expected to increase engagement in the talks.
Since war broke out in Ukraine, Congress has approved $113 in both humanitarian and military support, though not all of it has been spent.
“We are out of money, and almost out of time,” White House budget chief Shalanda Young pressed congressional leaders last Monday in a letter.
“This is not a problem for next year. The time to help a democratic Ukraine resist Russian aggression is now.”
Zelensky had been expected to brief lawmakers last week, but that was abruptly canceled due to a last-minute disruption in his schedule according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans this week to run for re-election in March 2024.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
