Zelenskyy Set To Meet Biden At White House Amid Push For More Aid From Congress | EUROtoday

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Ukraine’s chief, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will meet on the White House on Tuesday because the U.S. administration steps up the stress on Congress to offer billions extra in assist to Kyiv in its warfare with Russia.

The go to is meant “to underscore the United States’ unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion,” the White House mentioned in an announcement Sunday. “As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical moment.”

Zelenskyy’s workplace confirmed that he had accepted Biden’s invitation. He additionally has been requested to talk to a gathering of all senators.

Biden has requested Congress for a $110 billion package deal of wartime funding for Ukraine ($61.4 billion) and Israel, together with different nationwide safety priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration coverage and border safety.

Zelenskyy traveled to Buenos Aires to witness the swearing-in on Sunday of Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei. The Ukrainian chief had been scheduled to handle U.S. senators by video final week, however needed to cancel the looks, based on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Congress already has allotted $111 billion to help Ukraine, and Biden’s finances director, Shalanda Young, mentioned in a letter this previous week to House and Senate leaders that the U.S. will run out of funding to ship weapons and help to Ukraine by the top of the 12 months, which might “kneecap” Ukraine on the battlefield.

“It’s time to cut a deal that both sides can agree to,” Young mentioned Sunday.

The stakes are particularly excessive for Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned throughout two tv interviews Sunday, on condition that “ we are running out of funding ” for the Ukrainians. “This is a time to really step up because if we don’t, we know what happens. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be able to move forward with impunity and we know he won’t stop in Ukraine.”

Earlier, he defended the emergency sale to Israel of practically 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and in addition referred to as for fast congressional approval of the international help. Blinken mentioned the wants of Israel’s navy operations in Gaza justify the uncommon determination to bypass Congress. “Israel is in combat right now with Hamas,” he mentioned. “And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas.”

The tank ammunition and associated assist represent solely a small portion of navy gross sales to Israel, Blinken mentioned, and that the remaining stays topic to congressional overview. “It’s essential that Congress‘ voice be heard in this,” he said.

The decision to proceed with the sale of more than $106 million for tank shells came as the administration’s bigger assist package deal is caught up in a bigger immigration debate.

Blinken famous that Biden has mentioned he’s keen to make important compromises to get the help package deal shifting. “It’s one thing the president is totally ready to interact on,” Blinken mentioned.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, mentioned there may be bipartisan settlement that one thing must be accomplished to handle file numbers of migrants crossing into the United States from Mexico.

“We want to solve that, to secure the border. I just saw the president of the United States say that we’ve got to secure the border. He’s right. So, any effort that doesn’t do that will be rejected by Republicans,” Romney mentioned.

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, mentioned the administration has but to justify extra assist to Ukraine. “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?” Vance mentioned.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., mentioned the cash would make a distinction as a result of Russia is struggling to fund its warfare effort. “It can change the outcome of this war,” Murphy mentioned. “Because at the very same time that we are making a renewed commitment to Ukraine, Russia’s ability to continue to fight this war is in jeopardy.”

Romney mentioned he additionally helps the help to Ukraine. “My own view is that it’s very much in America’s interest to see Ukraine successful and to provide the weapons that Ukraine needs to defend itself. Anything other than that would be a huge dereliction of our responsibility, I believe, to the world of democracy but also to our own national interest,” he mentioned.

Blinken appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and CNN’s “State of the Union.” Romney and Murphy have been on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Vance was on CNN. Young was on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”