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 Volodymyr Zelensky warned Americans on Monday that failure to help his country defeat Russia fulfills Vladimir Putin's “dreams” of destroying democracy in Europe.
“Let me be honest with you, friends: If there is anyone inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill, it is only Putin and his sick cabal,” Zelenskiy told the National Defense University. “They see their dreams come true when they see delays.”
'When the free world hesitates, dictatorships celebrate.'
His harsh words came as lawmakers in favor of aid to his country became embroiled in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security, with no sign of a deal in sight, and Putin was spotted sipping. champagne in Moscow and celebrated declining Western support for Kiev when he declared that Ukraine had “no future.”
“Let me be honest with you, friends: if there is anyone who is inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill, it is only Putin and his sick cabal,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky said politicians should not “betray the soldier,” while pointing out that the drying up of the US was welcomed by Putin.
“You can count on Ukraine and we hope to be able to count on you as well,” 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 National Defense University.
Zelensky is in Washington as part of a crucial search for aid for his war-torn country.
Republican senators last week blocked $106 billion in emergency aid, mainly for Ukraine and Israel, after conservatives opposed the exclusion of immigration reforms they had demanded as part of the package.
About $60 billion of that aid would go to Ukraine, on top of the $111 billion the country has already received from the US. Many Republican lawmakers, especially in the House of Representatives, argue that enough American money has been spent on Ukraine and that it would be better off spending it domestically.
But the administration has warned that a failure to renew military aid to Ukraine could tilt the nearly two-year war in Russia's favor, creating national security threats for the West.
“This cannot wait,” Biden said in an impassioned televised speech from the White House on Wednesday.
“Frankly, I find it mind-boggling that we've even gotten to this point where Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the biggest gift he could hope for.”
Zelensky said he would tell Biden and lawmakers about the achievements he can see Ukraine gaining in the coming year.
“I am convinced that freedom can be stronger than all its enemies,” he said.
Wearing his signature green army-style sweatshirt, emblazoned with the words “I am Ukrainian,” he flew to Washington this weekend after a round of diplomacy in Argentina.
Putin, meanwhile, appeared in a video circulating online on Sunday in which he said: Ukraine will only become weaker as Russia becomes stronger.
“When you don't have your own foundations, 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 in his hand. . “You have nothing that is yours. Then you have no future, but we do.'
Russian President Putin appeared in a video circulating online on Sunday saying Ukraine will only become weaker as Russia grows stronger and sipping champagne
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva pose for photos at the IMF ahead of their meeting
Zelensky will also meet the heads of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank as he seeks to strengthen his embattled country's economy.
On Tuesday, Zelensky will start his day on Capitol Hill, where he will attend 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 will then head to the White House for an Oval Office meeting with Biden and a joint press conference with the president.
“This is exactly the right time to have President Zelensky in town to have these discussions, because of what's going on in Ukraine, the increased activity we're seeing with the Russian armed forces as winter approaches, but also what's going on on Capitol Hill,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.
Biden's budget director Shalanda Young said on December 4 that the US would run out of resources to help Ukraine by the end of the calendar year.
By mid-November, the U.S. Department of Defense had used 97% of the $62.3 billion in additional funding and the State Department had used the entire $4.7 billion in military assistance to Ukraine it had allocated, she noted.
The US has provided roughly half of the military aid to Ukraine and it is unlikely that any other country could make up the difference. In addition, the US has sent American weapon systems that require American ammunition.
The Republican right wing, led by 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump, has soured dramatically on Ukraine's cause.
“What is in America's best interest is to accept that Ukraine will have to cede some territory to the Russians and that we have to end the war,” Senator JD Vance, a close Trump ally, said on Sunday.
He dismissed as “ridiculous” White House warnings that allowing Russia to win in Ukraine would endanger other Eastern European countries, including NATO members.
Zelenskiy's wife is also making a plea to Europe as Hungarians threaten to veto a vote in the European Union to approve the proposal. $50 billion in aid for Ukraine.
“We really need the help,” Olena Zelenska told the BBC this weekend. “In simple words, we cannot get tired of this situation because if we do, we will die.”