Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address U.S. military officers at the National Defense University on Monday as part of a last-minute push to convince Congress to provide more money for weapons before funding runs out.
Quick Read
- Zelenskyy’s Address to U.S. Military Officers: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak at the National Defense University, focusing on securing further U.S. support.
- Biden’s Funding Request for Ukraine: President Joe Biden has requested $61.4 billion for Ukraine as part of a larger $110 billion package for various national security needs.
- Debate Over U.S. Funding: The funding request is entangled in a U.S. congressional debate involving immigration policy and border security.
- U.S. Financial Support to Ukraine: The U.S. has already provided $111 billion to support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
- Zelenskyy’s Planned Meetings: Zelenskyy is expected to meet with President Biden and visit Capitol Hill.
- Congressional Deadline for Funding: With Congress’s holiday recess approaching, there’s uncertainty over future funding for Ukraine and Israel amid debates on border security.
- Potential Impasse in Congress: The funding issue faces a deadlock, with Republicans seeking border security concessions and potential opposition from some Democrats.
- Urgency of Funding for Ukraine: Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the critical need for continued funding to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
The Associated Press has the story:
Zelenskyy to address US military in Washington as funding for Ukraine’s war runs out
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address U.S. military officers at the National Defense University on Monday as part of a last-minute push to convince Congress to provide more money for weapons before funding runs out.
President Joe Biden has asked Congress for $61.4 billion for wartime funding for Ukraine as part of a $110 billion package that also includes money for Israel and other national security priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. The U.S. has already provided Ukraine $111 billion for its fight against Russia’s 2022 invasion.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy is expected to go to Capitol Hill and to meet with Biden at the White House.
With Congress in its final work week before leaving for the holidays, questions remain as to whether Republicans will be able to come to an agreement on any rounds of future funding for Ukraine or Israel without White House concessions on additional border security as illegal crossings surge. But any border package also runs the risk of alienating some Democrats.
The stakes are especially high for Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during television interviews Sunday, given that “ we are running out of funding ” for the Ukrainians.
“This is a time to really step up because if we don’t, we know what happens. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be able to move forward with impunity and we know he won’t stop in Ukraine,”
Blinken said.
