Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy capped off a whirlwind day in Washington on Tuesday with a press conference alongside President Joe Biden, who said Ukraine’s “freedom is on the line” as a massive military aid package remains stalled in Congress where Republicans are pushing major changes to border policy.
The two leaders addressed reporters following a meeting in the Oval Office, laying out their vision for Ukraine’s future and what role the U.S. should play in helping the Eastern European nation stave off Russia’s invasion.
“[Vladimir] Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine,” Biden said. “We must, we must, we must prove him wrong. The United States Congress must act.”
Biden also had this message for Zelenskyy: “Mr. President, I will not walk away from Ukraine and neither will the American people.”
Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. for its support and said together the two nations can “strengthen democracy’s arsenal.”
But despite Zelenskyy’s visit, it appears Congress is heading into its winter holiday recess without a resolution on the Biden-backed supplemental aid package that includes billions of dollars for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan as well as border enforcement.
The funding is tied up in a legislative fight as Republicans insist on significant changes to border security and immigration policy, though their exact demands remain publicly unclear. ♦
