In a robust sign to Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to reach in america on Wednesday, the place he’s set to fulfill with President Joe Biden within the White Home and ship an deal with to Congress. It should mark the primary time the Ukrainian president has left his nation for the reason that Russian president launched an assault on Ukraine 300 days in the past in February. Whereas Biden has burdened that he is not going to enable america to be pulled into an energetic struggle with Russia, the choice to host Zelenskyy sends a transparent message to Russia that the administration’s assist for Ukraine has not light.
Forward of Zelenskyy’s arrival, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White Home press secretary, stated in a assertion that the “go to will underscore america’ steadfast dedication to supporting Ukraine for so long as it takes, together with via the availability of financial, humanitarian, and navy help.”
However that dedication will doubtless be on shakier floor come January, when management of the Home is handed again to Republicans. Zelenskyy is slated to handle a physique that’s gearing up for a major shift in energy. Republican chief Kevin McCarthy warned in October that Ukraine wouldn’t be receiving a “clean examine” from america in a Republican Home. And several other Republicans renewed the sentiment in late November, even calling for an inspector basic to overview the help that’s been despatched. “It’s excessive time to cease sending any more cash—don’t ship one other penny to Ukraine,” Kentucky’s Thomas Massie stated then. With help for Ukraine nonetheless in style within the Senate, even amongst Republicans, it’s unlikely the properly will totally dry—however these dynamics may put strain on future negotiations. Per Politico, US and Ukrainian officers see Zelenskyy’s go to as a possibility to win over the incoming Congress.
Congress is poised to approve one other $45 billion in help to Ukraine this week as a part of the $1.7 trillion federal authorities funding invoice (one which some conservative Republicans have been vocally grumbling about). Ought to Congress log off on the most recent spherical of funding, it’s going to carry the overall quantity of US help to Ukraine to greater than $100 billion. Biden can also be anticipated to announce $1.8 billion in safety help, together with missile programs and precision bomb kits, based on CNN.
Zelenksyy’s extremely dangerous journey comes as Putin’s assault on Ukraine will quickly stretch into its second yr. Plans for the go to have been saved below the utmost secrecy, up till yesterday. “We’re ending a really particular session of the 117th Congress with laws that makes progress for the American individuals in addition to assist for our democracy,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly wrote in a letter to all members of the Home on Tuesday evening, an obvious reference to Zelenskyy’s go to. “Please be current for a really particular deal with democracy Wednesday evening.”
