Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. lawmakers in the Capitol building on Thursday, as some Republicans question the practicality of approving a new aid package for Ukraine despite slow progress in the fighting. After seeking to rally international support at the United Nations, Zelensky traveled to Washington for meetings with President Joe Biden, military leaders at the Pentagon, and an evening speech at the National Archives Museum.
Zelensky met with leaders of the Republican-dominated House of Representatives and with national security committees while wearing military green attire to reflect his status as a wartime leader. Although Biden and most congressional leaders still support aid to Ukraine with Democrats controlling the Senate, Zelensky will face a more hardened opposition compared to his visit to Washington nine months ago. With the continuing Ukrainian counteroffensive and a bitter debate in Congress over spending ahead of a potential government shutdown, skepticism is rising among Republicans regarding the billions in aid sent by Washington to support Ukraine's military, economic, and humanitarian needs.
The United States has provided approximately $113 billion in security and humanitarian aid to Zelensky's government since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. However, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that Biden would announce a new military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday, which will include air defense systems and other weapons to assist Kyiv before a harsh winter. An American official indicated that the package will also include a second tranche of cluster munition for use in 155mm howitzers.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that a large majority of Americans support sending weapons to Ukraine for its defense against Russia.
