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Zelensky’s visit is a public relations masterstroke for the former-comedian-turned politician, coming at a time when members of the incoming Republican House have started agitating for the US to spend more money to secure its own borders instead of defending Ukraine’s.
The US has so far spent $US20 billion in security assistance to help Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February.
A US-made Patriot missile is launched during an annual exercise in Taiwan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pushing the US to send the defence systems so Ukraine can repel Russian airstrikes.Credit:AP
But with Republicans taking control of the House of Representatives on January 3 while the Democrats retain the Senate, the political landscape is far less certain.
On Tuesday for instance, far-right Republican Lauren Boebert posted on Twitter: “In case you haven’t heard, our government wants to send yet another $US47 billion to Ukraine. Yes, really.”
And in the lead up to November’s midterms, Republican Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, who is likely to replace Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House, also noted a future shift, telling Punchbowl News: “I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank cheque to Ukraine. They just won’t do it.”
Zelensky’s Washington trip came a day after he made a similarly daring trip to the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s contested Donetsk province, where he praised Ukrainian troops for their “courage, resilience and strength”.
Biden and Zelensky have spoken on the phone numerous times but have not met in person since the war started. According to a high-level source, the invitation to come to Washington was issued by Biden in a call on December 11.
The Ukraine president first addressed Congress via video link in March, giving an impassioned speech in which he played a graphic video of war injuries and deaths, invoked parallels to the September 11 attacks and the bombing of Pearl Harbour, and implored members for immediate assistance.
“And as the leader of my nation, I’m addressing President Biden. You are the leader of your great nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace,” he said at the time.
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Soon after Zelensky finished his address – and was greeted with a bipartisan standing ovation – Biden announced he would provide an additional $US800 million ($1.09 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine, in what was among the first of many defence packages the US has provided since.
But the latest instalment comes amid a protracted war with little end in sight.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said the visit “will underscore the United States’ steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through the provision of economic, humanitarian, and military assistance.”
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