Zelensky in tough spot begging for weapons from Washington

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the United States to continue supporting Kiev militarily, warning during a speech in Washington on Monday that failure to help his country defeat the Russian invasion would fulfill the Kremlin’s dreams of destroying democracy in Europe.

Addressing a group of US officers at the National Defense University, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine isn’t only fighting for its existence, but in defense of the freedoms in Europe that flourished after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Referring to Republicans in Congress who now oppose US funding for the Ukrainian war effort, Zelensky stressed that politicians shouldn’t betray the soldier, warning that stopping US aid is something that Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes.

“If there is anyone who is inspired by the unresolved issues on Capitol Hill, it’s Putin and his sick clique… Their dreams come true when they see the delays,” he said.

He continued, “Putin must lose… You can count on Ukraine, and we hope to the same extent that we can count on you”.

Zelensky, wearing his trademark green military shirt bearing the words “I am Ukrainian,” arrived in Washington after a weekend diplomatic tour in Latin America.

The US President Joe Biden and prominent figures in Congress from both parties, including Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, are scheduled to meet on Tuesday.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the visit comes at a critical moment and that Biden will not hide that he is committed to his effort to secure the aid that Ukraine needs to resupply its soldiers and expand efforts aimed at pushing Russian forces to retreat.

Zelensky will also meet with directors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as he seeks to support his country’s economy in light of the all-out war.

Over the course of the bloody conflict, during which large areas of Ukraine were destroyed while millions were forced to flee, Ukrainian forces relied heavily on Western support, led by the United States, which included the delivery of ammunition, weapons, and economic and social aid worth tens of billions of dollars.

Now, US aid, which Biden described as part of an existential war between the democratic world and the hostile tyranny represented by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is about to run out.

Last week, Republican senators blocked the White House’s request to approve an emergency package worth $106 billion in aid to Ukraine and Israel in particular.

Conservatives have said they will reject the package unless Democrats and the White House also agree to broad immigration reforms related to security at the US-Mexico border.

It appears that the enthusiasm of right-wing Republicans, led by 2024 presidential election candidate Donald Trump, has declined significantly regarding the Ukraine issue.

Senator James David Vance, a close ally of Trump, said on Sunday, “It’s in America’s interest to accept that Ukraine will have to give up territory to the Russians and we will have to draw the curtain on the war”.

He considered that the White House’s warnings that allowing Russia to win in Ukraine would endanger other countries in Eastern Europe, including those in NATO, were ridiculous.

He stated that Ukraine shouldn’t receive a blank check, adding, “What will $61 billion achieve that $100 billion hasn’t achieved so far?”