Russian invasion
Ukraine aid: Zelensky is supposed to speak to US senators
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on his colleagues to move forward with the release of new aid to Ukraine. photo
© Andy Wong/AP/dpa
The release of new US aid to Ukraine is being blocked by a domestic political dispute in the US Parliament. Zelenskyj is now expected to explain what is at stake in a briefing with the Senate.
The Ukrainian President According to information from Washington, Volodymyr Zelenskyj wants to personally address the US Senate to make clear the urgency of further US aid for his country.
Zelenskyj will be joining a non-public meeting of senators today, announced the Democratic majority leader in the parliamentary chamber, Chuck Schumer. He asked everyone to take part in this “important briefing”. It’s about finding out directly from Zelensky what’s at stake.
According to the government, the funds for Ukraine previously approved by the US Congress will be completely used up by the end of the year. If Parliament does not act, the government will no longer have the means to procure additional weapons and equipment for Ukraine or to supply equipment from its own military stocks to Kiev, wrote the director of the National Budget Office, Shalanda Young, in a statement published on Monday Letter to leadership in both chambers of Congress.
US President Joe Biden had already requested a huge billion-dollar package from Congress in October, which, among other things, provides fresh money for Ukraine. However, the release of new US aid for Ukraine continues to be blocked by a domestic political dispute between Democrats and Republicans in the US Parliament. More and more Republicans are expressing doubts about support for Ukraine or rejecting it completely. A recently passed interim budget once again contains no new funds for Ukraine.
Schumer urged his colleagues to “do the right thing” and move forward with the release of new funds. If Ukraine falls, Russian President Vladimir Putin will “keep going,” he warned. Autocrats around the world would be emboldened. Ultimately, it’s about defending democracy.