President Vladimir Zelensky began a working visit to the United States; he will meet with American President Joe Biden.
Vladimir Zelensky flew to the United States after Argentina amid Republicans blocking aid to Ukraine. To get help, Zelensky was invited to speak at a meeting of all senators on the morning of December 12, where he could convey his position not only to loyal Democrats, but also to disloyal Republicans. Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson will also meet with the Ukrainian leader. This means that the president can personally convince American politicians to continue financial support for Ukraine.
Funding from Washington for the next year is critically needed for Kyiv, because in 2024 the United States will plunge into the whirlpool of presidential elections with unexpected results for Ukraine. That is why Biden’s team is already trying to secure Ukrainian interests.
“He will talk to the senators about what we urgently need: that the Senate and the Congress as a whole support, and immediately, during the Christmas holidays, help to Ukraine. He will convince, will, I think, of very serious arguments, from the situation at the front to the fact that, in the end, the United States needs it, and will also answer the questions of the senators,” said political scientist Vladimir Fesenko.
According to Fesenko, in a conversation with Biden Zelensky, it is important to discuss the issue of a return option in case Congress refuses funding.
“If help is not voted in Congress, how can we help in this difficult situation? What are the fallback options? Because when they say to the White House that “that’s it, it’s over, nothing can be done,” these are arguments aimed at the public opinion of the United States and the congressmen. Just an example. Israel is now selling weapons and ammunition, bypassing Congressional authorization. That is, there are options when it is possible to provide support without the consent of Congress. It’s not help, it’s selling. But maybe we should go this route. Certain government guarantees may be required. That is, this issue that needs to be resolved is a backup option for the next month or two,” the political scientist emphasized.
Zelensky began his visit to the United States with a meeting with United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown.
During the meeting, international security challenges, developments on the front and further Ukrainian-American cooperation in the field of defense were discussed.
“I am grateful to the United States for implementing our agreements, especially to strengthen air defense, and to Secretary Austin and General Brown for their personal leadership,” the president said.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.