United States President Joe Biden sent an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to visit the White House. This comes days after Biden's administration issued a warning that US assistance funding to Ukraine will expire in weeks unless congressional partisans resolve their differences.
As a result of conservatives' objections to leaving out immigration changes they wanted as part of the deal, Republican senators last week blocked $106 billion in emergency aid, mostly for Ukraine and Israel.
Crucial US Visit
A statement by the White House, released on Sunday, December 10, said that the leaders will address Ukraine's pressing needs and the critical importance of the US' ongoing support as Russia increases its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine.
The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, is meant "to underscore the United States' unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia's brutal invasion."
In a report by The Guardian, Zelenskiy's office announced via Telegram that the leader of Ukraine would be visiting Washington on Monday, December 11, for a working visit that would include a lot of meetings and discussions. During this trip, he is expected to meet with Biden.
Senators from the US have asked Zelenskiy to speak to them on Tuesday morning at the Capitol, according to an adviser to the Senate leadership.
Additionally, Zelenskiy and US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson will have a private meeting in the Capitol on Tuesday, Johnson spokesperson Raj Shah told Reuters.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer of New York said that the Ukrainian leader had to cancel last week's video speech to US lawmakers.
Aid to Ukraine
Even though Congress has already set aside $111 billion to aid Ukraine, Biden's budget director Shalanda Young warned in a letter sent last week to Senate and House leaders that the US would not have enough money to supply weapons and aid to Ukraine by year's end, effectively crippling the country militarily.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in two interviews broadcast on Sunday that, with money for the Ukrainians dwindling, the situation is particularly precarious for their country. "This is a time to really step up because if we don't, we know what happens. Putin will be able to move forward with impunity and we know he won't stop in Ukraine."
Biden has shown his willingness to make substantial concessions in order to get the assistance package moving, as Blinken pointed out. The president is ready to engage in it, according to Blinken.
The administration has not yet provided a rationale for increased assistance to Ukraine, said Republican senator JD Vance. "So what we're saying to the president and really to the entire world is, you need to articulate what the ambition is. What is [$61 billion] going to accomplish that [$100 billion] hasn't?"
