The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, arrived in Washington this Monday, where tomorrow he plans to meet at the White House with the US president, Joe Biden.
Zelenski, who was in Buenos Aires yesterday at the presidential inauguration of Javier Milei, spoke this afternoon at an event at the National Defense University together with the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin.
In this intervention, Zelensky has insisted on the need for his country to receive more funds to defend itself, arguing that Russia will not be content with just a part of its country.
“Ukraine has not surrendered and will not surrender. We know what to do and you can count on Ukraine. We also hope to be able to count on you,” said the Ukrainian president.
Zelensky’s third visit to Washington
It is Zelensky’s third visit to Washington since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which gave rise to a conflict that continues and in which kyiv counts on the United States as one of its main allies and whose help is vital.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that “as Russia escalates its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of continued US support.” at this critical moment.”
At the meeting, which takes place when the funds approved by the United States for Ukraine are about to run out, The Biden administration will show its intention to “support the people of Ukraine in their defense against Russia’s brutal invasion,” he pointed.
On December 6, Republicans blocked the approval in the United States Senate of a budget project of about 105 billion dollars, which included items to support Ukraine and Israel.
In exchange for their votes, the conservative caucus demands restricting US immigration laws, particularly the asylum system, and eliminating a series of humanitarian permits for migrants.
A budget extension was approved last November and lawmakers have until February to negotiate the fiscal year 2024 budget, which has already begun.
However, heThe White House warned last Monday that at the end of the year the US Government will not have money to support Ukraine and will be left without resources to acquire more weapons and equipment for kyiv.
With just a few days until the United States Congress recesses for the Christmas holidays, Zelensky’s visit will be key, therefore, to pressure Congress on the need to act quickly.
The US has contributed 111 billion to support Ukraine
To date, the United States has provided $111 billion in financing to support Ukraine.
The project that was rejected on the 6th by the 49 Republican senators of the upper house includes more than 61,000 million in military aid for kyiv and about 14,000 for Israel.
According to the leader of the conservative caucus in the Senate, Mitch MacConell, his party will not support any budget package if immigration restrictions are not imposed in exchange.
For their part, Democrats have insisted that, for them, it is vital to continue supporting Ukraine and Israel. In a speech the same Wednesday, Biden even indicated that he is willing to make concessions on immigration issues in exchange for the disbursement.
Among the Republicans’ requests is to change the law that allows a person to request asylum on US soil, imposing greater requirements for those seeking protection, according to leaks to US media about the negotiations.