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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to the press following a gathering with Worldwide Financial Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the IMF in Washington, U.S., December 11, 2023. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson/File Photograph
By Patricia Zengerle, Richard Cowan and Trevor Hunnicutt
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to make a last-ditch plea to maintain army assist flowing as he battles Russia, however confronted a skeptical reception from some Republicans.
Republicans have been reluctant to log out on a funding request from Democratic President Joe Biden beneath which Ukraine would obtain $61.4 billion.
Home of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, mentioned after assembly with Zelenskiy that Biden’s administration should present extra element about how the cash can be used.
“What the Biden administration appears to be asking for is billions of extra {dollars} with no acceptable oversight, no clear technique to win and with not one of the solutions that I feel the American individuals are owed,” he mentioned after assembly with Zelenskiy.
Different Republicans questioned whether or not extra help would assist Ukraine defeat Russia after a summer time offensive that has did not yield clear beneficial properties.
“I do know everybody needs Ukraine to win, I simply do not see it within the playing cards,” Republican Senator Ron Johnson mentioned.
Heading into winter, with tens of 1000’s of Ukrainians useless, a yawning funds deficit and Russian advances within the east, Zelenskiy is asking Washington to offer badly wanted assist.
Sporting a black shirt and olive drab trousers, Zelenskiy was met with sustained applause as he entered a closed-door assembly with U.S. senators, and the chamber’s Democratic and Republican leaders pledged their assist.
Some Republicans, significantly these with the closest ties to former President Donald Trump, oppose extra Ukraine help and are asking in regards to the conflict goals and the way U.S. cash is being spent. They are saying any additional cash have to be paired with modifications to immigration coverage — an exceptionally divisive subject in U.S. politics.
“The one individual happiest proper now in regards to the gridlock in Congress is Vladimir Putin. He’s delighting in the truth that Donald Trump’s border insurance policies are sabotaging army help to Ukraine,” Democratic Senate Chief Chuck Schumer mentioned.
Speaker Johnson mentioned he wouldn’t act till the Senate handed laws. “I implore them to their job as a result of the time is pressing and we do need to do the appropriate factor,” he instructed reporters.
Zelenskiy was attributable to subsequent head to the White Home, the place he and President Joe Biden will maintain a information convention at 4:15 p.m. native time (2115 GMT).
The White Home instructed Congress on Dec. 4 the federal government will now not have funding to offer extra weapons for Ukraine after the top of the yr. Congress has accepted greater than $110 billion for Ukraine since Russia’s February 2022 invasion however no new funds since Republicans took over the Home from Democrats in January.
Newly declassified U.S. intelligence reveals that “Russia appears to imagine {that a} army impasse by way of the winter will drain Western assist for Ukraine” and finally give Russia the benefit, mentioned Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White Home Nationwide Safety Council.
Ukraine is having success stopping Russian forces however Putin is constant to order his troops ahead regardless of heavy losses of troops and tools since October, she added.
The conflict has value Russia 315,000 useless and injured troops, almost 90% of the personnel it had earlier than the battle started, based on a supply accustomed to a declassified U.S intelligence report.
There are simply three days earlier than Congress recesses for the yr on Friday, and Republicans within the Home have till now refused to go a spending bundle invoice that comprises $61.4 billion in Ukraine help with out fiercely disputed modifications to U.S. immigration.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who’s main the talks, mentioned he thought lawmakers might attain an immigration deal and go the spending bundle earlier than the top of the yr.
However Republicans mentioned that was not going.
“I am turning into more and more pessimistic,” Senator Susan Collins instructed reporters.
Biden has solid the scenario in stark phrases, saying “historical past goes to guage harshly those that flip their again on freedom’s trigger.”
In the end, U.S. troops might be compelled to struggle Russia, Biden and others warn, if an unchecked Putin invades a European ally lined by NATO’s mutual protection commitments.
Bolstered by billions of {dollars} in U.S. arms, humanitarian help and intelligence, Ukraine was capable of fend off Russia’s preliminary try to comb the nation. However Kyiv failed to interrupt by way of Russian defensive strains in a serious counteroffensive push this yr and Russia is now on the offensive within the east.
Each the conflict and immigration points are anticipated to be lightning-rod points forward of the 2024 U.S. presidential and congressional elections. Trump and Biden are each in search of the presidency.
About 41% of U.S. adults polled by Reuters/Ipsos final month backed sending weapons to Ukraine, in comparison with 32% who had been opposed and the remaining not sure.
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