Ukraine’s Zelenskiy to press skeptical Republicans on aid in Washington visit. Thursday marks the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the nation’s capital, which takes place at a time when Republican critics are questioning whether Congress should authorize a new round of aid for his country despite progress that has been slower than had been planned in the struggle against Russian invaders.

After attempting to build up international support at the United Nations, Zelenskiy proceeds to Washington, where he engages in a crosstown blitz that includes talks with Vice President Joe Biden and military leaders at the Pentagon, as well as an address in the evening at the National Archives museum.
Before Zelenskiy has a private session with the United States Senate, he will meet with the House of Representatives leaders and the House national security committees in the morning. The Republican party currently controls the House of Representatives.

Even though Vice President Biden and most congressional leaders continue to support assisting Ukraine and Biden’s Democratic party currently controls the Senate, Zelenskiy will face a more hostile audience than he did during his previous visit to Washington.

As Ukraine’s military counteroffensive grinds on and Congress stages a furious discussion over spending ahead of a possible government shutdown, a growing chorus of Republicans have questioned the billions of dollars Washington has transferred to Kyiv for military, economic, and humanitarian purposes. This comes simultaneously as Congress is staging a contentious dispute over spending ahead of a possible government shutdown.

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the United States has provided around 113 billion dollars worth of security and humanitarian assistance to assist the government of Zelenskiy.

On Wednesday evening, officials from the Biden administration held a classified briefing for Congress to lobby for an additional $24 billion. They claimed that the cost to the United States would be much higher if Russian President Vladimir Putin were allowed to take control of Ukraine and push through to the border of NATO, and they warned that this could happen.

However, there were those Republicans who were not persuaded. “If there is any way to win in Ukraine, I didn’t hear about it today,” the speaker said. “And I also heard that there’s going to be no end to the funding requests,” Republican Senator Josh Hawley, a strong critic of assistance provided to Ukraine, told reporters.

Vice President Biden is anticipated to unveil a new military aid package for Ukraine for $325 million. This aid package will likely contain the second tranche of cluster munitions that a 155-millimeter Howitzer cannon will fire.

“Will it be possible for any nation to maintain its independence if we permit the breakup of Ukraine?” On Tuesday, Biden posed that question to the heads of state and government attending the United Nations.

When Democrats controlled the Senate and the House, it was easy for Congress to approve financial assistance for Ukraine. When Zelenskiy addressed a joint session of Congress in December, he was hailed as a hero because he had developed into a formidable champion for his nation.

Strong support has been maintained within the Senate, not only from Biden’s fellow Democrats but also from Republicans.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered an address to the Senate on Wednesday, during which he chastised Vice President Joe Biden for moving too slowly to assist Ukraine. McConnell claimed, “our nation has a fundamental interest in Ukrainian victory and European security.”

According to a study by Reuters and Ipsos, the overwhelming majority of Americans favor giving arms to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia.

However, several Republicans who were a part of the House majority that returned in January are beginning to question whether or not it is prudent to keep sending money to Kyiv. An unsuccessful proposal to reduce financing for Ukraine received support from around one-third of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives in July.

On Thursday, Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy only arranged a small meeting for himself and a few other House leaders where Zelenskiy could argue his case for continued aid. McCarthy did not set up a hearing for the entire House where Zelenskiy could present his case. McCarthy, who, as speaker of the House, decides what legislation is brought up for votes, stated that Zelenskiy was responsible for convincing him to support the continuation of aid.

Is Zelenskiy going to be a member of Congress?

Is he supposed to be our president?

McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday that he was not obligated to commit. “I want to ask him some questions. Where can I find who is accountable for the money already spent? What exactly is the game strategy for winning? I believe this is the information that the general population in the United States seeks.