Zelenskyy set to visit Washington as U.S. debates continuing Ukraine aid – National | 24CA News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated on the White House and on Capitol Hill subsequent week as he visits the U.S. in the course of the United Nations General Assembly.
Zelenskyy’s journey comes as Congress is debating President Joe Biden’s request to supply at the very least US$21 billion in navy and humanitarian assist for Ukraine because it fights the Russian invasion.
An administration official, talking on situation of anonymity to debate the delicate go to, mentioned Zelenskyy will meet with Biden on the White House subsequent Thursday. The journey to the Capitol was confirmed by two congressional aides granted anonymity to debate the plans.
The Ukrainian president made a wartime go to to Washington in December 2022 and delivered an impassioned tackle to a joint assembly of Congress. At the time it was his first recognized journey outdoors his nation since Russia invaded in February of that 12 months.
In his speech to cheering lawmakers, Zelenskyy thanked Americans for serving to to fund the conflict effort and mentioned that the cash is “not charity,” however an “investment” in international safety and democracy.
Details of Zelenskyy’s go to subsequent week weren’t but being made public. It was first reported by Punchbowl News.
The White House National Security Council declined to touch upon Zelenskyy’s plans, together with whether or not he would meet with Biden on the White House.
Congress is more and more divided over offering extra funding for Ukraine because the conflict is nicely into its second 12 months. Biden has sought a package deal of US$13.1 billion in extra navy assist for Ukraine and US$8.5 billion for humanitarian help. It additionally contains US$2.3 billion for financing and to catalyze donors via the World Bank.
But conservative Republican lawmakers have been pushing for broad federal spending cuts and a few of these allied with Donald Trump, the previous president, are particularly trying to cease cash to Ukraine.
Congress is working to cross its annual appropriations payments earlier than a Sept. 30 deadline to maintain the U.S. authorities working.
Associated Press author Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
