“At this critical moment”
Biden invites Zelensky to Washington
December 10, 2023, 11:13 p.m
Ukraine could receive more than $61 billion from the USA – but Republicans are blocking the aid package. “This cannot wait any longer,” warns President Biden. Now the White House is inviting Ukrainian President Zelensky. The moment is “critical,” the current phase of the war is crucial.
US President Joe Biden has invited Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on Tuesday. The two leaders “will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs” in its fight against the Russian invasion as well as the “critical importance of continued support from the United States at this critical moment,” Biden spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said.
According to the Ukrainian presidency, the meeting will be about “further cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the field of defense, in particular through joint projects on the production of weapons and air defense systems.” In addition, the “coordination of efforts between the two states in the coming year” should be discussed.
Republicans block billion-dollar aid package
A billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine is currently blocked by the opposition Republicans in the US Congress. Last Wednesday, the Conservatives withheld support for the package in a vote in the Senate.
Biden asked Congress in October for a financial package of $106 billion. It includes, among other things, $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel in the war against the radical Islamic Hamas, aid for other allies such as Taiwan and funds to protect the US’s southern border with Mexico.
Among Republicans, there is support for new aid to Israel, but resistance to new funding for Ukraine. They also demand concessions on immigration policy and securing the border with Mexico.
Biden had warned Republican senators that Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin would not end his attacks if he won in Ukraine and that he could even attack a NATO country. “It can’t wait any longer,” he said on Wednesday, referring to aid to Ukraine. The White House spoke of a pivotal moment in the war as “Russia is increasing its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine.”
Third visit to Washington since the beginning of the war
Washington is Kiev’s main supporter in the war against Russian invading forces. Just on Wednesday, the US State Department announced the release of new emergency aid to Ukraine worth $175 million, including HIMARS rocket launchers and ammunition. Since the start of the Russian war of aggression in February 2022, the USA has already delivered or promised military aid worth over $44 billion to Ukraine.
Zelensky, who was in Buenos Aires on Sunday for the inauguration of the new Argentine President Javier Milei, was already in Washington at the end of September and had appealed for weapons aid there. Zelenskyj also traveled to Washington in December last year and gave a speech to Congress there. It was his first trip abroad after the Russian war of aggression began on February 24, 2022.