J. Biden: if Congress does not approve new aid to Kyiv, it will be a gift to V. Putin

V. Zelensky: The delay in US aid to Ukraine is a dream come true for V. Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, who is visiting the United States, said on Monday that Kyiv relies on Washington and that the delay in military aid is a dream come true for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Addressing an audience of US officers at the National Defense University in Washington, V. Zelensky said that Ukraine is not only fighting for its existence, but also defending the freedoms that have opened up throughout Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“Putin must lose,” V. Zelenskis said. “You can count on Ukraine, and we equally hope that we can count on you.”

AFP/Scanpix/President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

Referring to the debate in Congress over a new military aid package for Ukraine, he said that politicians should not let down Ukrainian soldiers and that “if anyone is inspired by the unresolved issues in the Capitol, it is Putin and his sick scumbag.”

“Their dreams come true when they see delays or certain scandals and (…) when the support of freedom fighters decreases,” said V. Zelensky, who will meet with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian leader, who wore his signature military-style green sweatshirt emblazoned with the words “I am Ukrainian”, flew to Washington after his diplomatic efforts in Argentina over the weekend.

On Tuesday, he is also expected to meet with bipartisan leaders in Congress, including Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the visit comes at a critical time and that Mr. Biden will make clear that he stands by his commitment to providing Ukraine with the assistance it needs for its military and efforts to oust Russian forces.

V. Zelenskyi also met with the heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, as he seeks to strengthen his country’s economy. The IMF announced a new 900 million allocation of the part of the long-term loan in the amount of USD 836.67 million.

Republicans suppress support for Ukraine

Throughout the bloody conflict, which has devastated large swaths of Ukraine and forced millions from their homes, Ukrainian forces have been heavily dependent on the US-led coalition for tens of billions of dollars worth of ammunition, weapons, economic and social aid .

Now the flow of US aid, which Mr. Biden described as part of the existential struggle between the democratic world and Mr. Putin’s aggressive autocracy, may end.

Last week, Republican senators blocked the White House’s request for $106 billion. dollars (97.4 billion euros) joint emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, after Democrats refused to provide reforms regarding illegal migration on the US-Mexico border.

In general, the Republican right, led by presumptive 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump, is strongly opposed to Ukraine issues.

“It is in America’s best interest to recognize that Ukraine will have to give up part of its territory to the Russians and [kad] we need to end the war,” Sen. James David Vance, a close Trump ally, said Sunday.

He dismissed as absurd White House warnings that allowing Russia to win in Ukraine would endanger other Eastern European countries, including NATO members.

JDVance said that Ukraine should not be given a “blank check”.

“It is necessary to clearly formulate what is aimed at. What will $61 billion (€57 billion) achieve that $100 billion (€93 billion) did not?” asked JDVance rhetorically.