Zelensky says Congress is helping Putin by stalling on sending more U.S. aid: Ukrainian president says stopping money would be ‘fulfilling Kremlin dreams’ as he prepares to ask Biden and Republicans for more funds
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky warned Americans on Monday that failure to help his country defeat Russia is fulfilling Vladimir Putin’s “dreams” of destroying democracy in Europe.
“Let me be honest with you, friends — if there is anyone who is inspired by the unresolved problems on Capitol Hill, it is Putin and his sick cabal,” Zelensky told the National Defense University. “They see their dreams come true when they see delays.”
“When the free world falters, then dictatorships triumph.”
His harsh words came as lawmakers’ aid to his country is at the center of debate over US immigration policy and border security, with no sign of agreement and Putin seen drinking. champagne in Moscow and noting the weakening of Western support for Kyiv, saying Ukraine has “no future.”
“Let me be frank with you, friends: if there is anyone who is inspired by the unresolved problems on Capitol Hill, it is Putin and his sick cabal,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Zelensky said politicians should not “betray the soldier,” pointing out that Putin welcomes a drying up US.
“You can count on Ukraine, and we hope that we can count on you,” Zelensky said. “Putin must lose.”
His warning came ahead of his meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Brown at the National Defense University.
Zelensky is in Washington as part of a critical campaign to help his war-torn country.
Republican senators last week blocked $106 billion in emergency aid, primarily for Ukraine and Israel, after conservatives resisted eliminating immigration reforms they had demanded as part of the package.
About $60 billion of this aid will go to Ukraine, in addition to the $111 billion it has already received from the United States. Many Republican lawmakers, especially in the House, argue that enough American money has been spent on Ukraine that it would be better spent at home.
But the administration has warned that failure to renew military aid to Ukraine could tip the nearly two-year war in Russia’s favor, posing threats to Western national security.
“This cannot wait,” Biden said in an impassioned televised address from the White House on Wednesday.
“Frankly, I think it’s amazing that we’ve even gotten to this point where Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the greatest gift he could ever hope for.”
Zelensky said he would tell Biden and lawmakers about the achievements he believes Ukraine can expect if it wins next year.
“I am confident that freedom can be stronger than any of its enemies,” he said.
He wore his signature green army-style sweatshirt with the words “I’m Ukrainian” on it and flew into Washington after a diplomatic round this weekend in Argentina.
Meanwhile, Putin appeared in a video circulated online on Sunday, where he said: Ukraine will only become weaker as Russia becomes stronger.
“When you don’t have your own funds, you don’t have your own ideology, you don’t have your own industry, you don’t have your own money,” he said, holding a glass of champagne. . – You have nothing of your own. Then you have no future, but we have a future.”
Russian President Putin appeared in a video circulated online on Sunday, saying Ukraine will only get weaker as Russia gets stronger, and sipping champagne.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director Kristalina Georgieva pose for photographs at the IMF before their meeting.
Zelensky will also meet with the heads of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, seeking to support his country’s struggling economy.
Zelensky will begin his day on Capitol Hill on Tuesday by attending a meeting of all senators following a joint invitation from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. He will then meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson.
He then heads to the White House for an Oval Office meeting with Biden and a joint news conference with the president.
“Now is the time to invite President Zelensky to town for these discussions because of what is happening in Ukraine, because of the increased activity of the Russian military that we are seeing as winter approaches, and also because of what is happening in Capitol Hill,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday.
Biden’s budget director, Shalanda Young, said Dec. 4 that the U.S. will run out of resources to help Ukraine by the end of the calendar year.
By mid-November, the US Department of Defense had used 97% of the $62.3 billion in additional funding, and the State Department had used all of the $4.7 billion in military aid to Ukraine it had been allocated, she noted.
The US has provided roughly half of Ukraine’s military aid, and it is unlikely that any other country will be able to make up the difference. In addition, the US sent American weapons systems that require American ammunition.
The Republican right, led by 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump, is bitterly opposed to Ukraine.
“It is in America’s best interest to recognize that Ukraine will have to cede some territory to the Russians and we need to end the war,” Sen. J.D. Vance, a close Trump ally, said Sunday.
He called “ridiculous” White House warnings that allowing Russia to win in Ukraine would endanger other Eastern European countries, including NATO members.
Zelensky’s wife also makes plea to Europe as Hungry threatens to veto European Union vote on approval Aid to Ukraine will amount to $50 billion.
“We really need help,” Elena Zelenskaya told the BBC over the weekend. “Simply put, we cannot get tired of this situation, because if we do, we will die.”