Ukrainian President Zelensky Urges US Lawmakers to Approve More Aid for War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the United States to urge lawmakers to approve more aid for the war in Ukraine. Zelensky is scheduled to speak at an all-senators meeting, but a similar meeting is not planned for the House. A faction of the House GOP conference is openly hostile to providing Ukraine with any additional military aid, and it remains unclear whether House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be willing to sign off on more funding. Zelensky downplayed tensions between the US and Ukrainian officials over Ukraine’s military strategy in Russian-occupied Crimea when asked about skepticism from officials in Washington over Ukraine ramping up missile strikes to try to disrupt Russian military activity.

Key Points:

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the United States to urge lawmakers to approve more aid for the war in Ukraine1.
  • Zelensky is scheduled to speak at an all-senators meeting, but a similar meeting is not planned for the House1.
  • A faction of the House GOP conference is openly hostile to providing Ukraine with any additional military aid, and it remains unclear whether House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be willing to sign off on more funding13.
  • Zelensky downplayed tensions between the US and Ukrainian officials over Ukraine’s military strategy in Russian-occupied Crimea when asked about skepticism from officials in Washington over Ukraine ramping up missile strikes to try to disrupt Russian military activity1.
  • Zelensky’s trip to the United States comes as Ukraine is facing its stiffest headwinds in the US to date over support for the war1.