Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent visit to the United States did not achieve its intended goals, according to Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, wrote Russian TASS. Zelenskyy’s efforts to convince US congressmen that supporting Kyiv is more important than spending on their own security were unsuccessful. During his visit, aimed at meeting with congressmen who are currently reluctant to approve a new aid package for Ukraine, his arguments were dismissed as “the same old stuff” in the Senate.
One Republican senator stated that the US no longer has funds for Kyiv, while another left before the end of Zelenskyy’s speech. Antonov believes that neither new sanctions against Russia nor additional arms supplies to Ukraine will help Zelenskyy’s cause. He also noted that part of the American weaponry ends up in countries other than Ukraine due to Ukrainian corruption.
During his visit, Zelenskyy met with US senators, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and US President Joe Biden. This was his third trip to Washington since the conflict began, and the visit was described as hastily organized by Bloomberg. The White House announced the visit just two days before Zelenskyy’s arrival.
The closed-door speech by Zelenskyy in the Senate failed to persuade Republicans who are stalling the approval of the aid package. They demand that the White House include measures to protect the US-Mexico border in the bill, not just spend money on aiding other countries.
Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, commented on Zelenskyy’s speech as “the same old stuff. Nothing new”. Senator JD Vance of Ohio left the meeting with Zelenskyy early and told journalists that he remains opposed to additional funding for Ukraine. Senator Tommy Tuberville (Republican from Alabama) simply stated, “We’re out of money”.
Senior Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina mentioned that Zelenskyy should be grateful that the issue of aid to Ukraine was even included in the congressional agenda. Despite Zelenskyy’s efforts, Congress will postpone the discussion until next year, concluded Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. He mentioned that approving the bill before Christmas (December 24) is “practically impossible”.
House Speaker Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, stated he would not force congressmen to work over the holidays for fruitless debates about aid to Ukraine. During Zelenskyy’s visit, Johnson had a 30-minute one-on-one conversation with him. He described the meeting as good but reiterated to journalists that agreeing on aid to Kyiv is unlikely until the White House listens to Republican demands.
Regarding US President Joe Biden, he has become more cautious about aid to Ukraine. During a joint press conference with Zelenskyy, Biden stated that the United States would support Ukraine “as long as they can”. In contrast, in July, he promised that the White House would help Kyiv “as much as needed”.
Zelenskyy himself publicly assesses his American trip positively. On Twitter, he wrote that his conversation with the senators was “friendly and candid”.
In the United States Senate, I had a friendly and candid conversation.
I informed members of the U.S. Senate about Ukraine’s current military and economic situation, the significance of sustaining vital U.S. support, and answered their questions.
I am grateful to Senate… pic.twitter.com/GDEi9axEn7
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 12, 2023
Zelenskyy wrote that his meeting with Johnson was “great”. After talks with Biden, the Ukrainian leader added that he received “positive signals” from the White House and senators.
I had a great meeting with House Speaker @SpeakerJohnson.
I am grateful to the U.S. Congress for the strong bipartisan and bicameral support that has been provided to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale aggression began.
I briefed Speaker Johnson about Ukraine’s achievements,… pic.twitter.com/fV6NIPPUGE
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 12, 2023
