Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suddenly cancelled a video-link appeal to US senators scheduled for December 5, as Washington prepares for a pivotal dispute on funding for the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky was scheduled to appear at a classified briefing a day before the Senate would take its first vote on an emergency aid package including more than $60 billion for Kyiv.
The money was delayed due to a congressional dispute as the White House warned that current funds would run out by the end of the year and that Russia could win if lawmakers failed to reach an agreement.
Zelensky by the way could not make it – something happened at the last minute – to our briefing.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer voted on December 6 to remove the first procedural hurdle to President Biden’s request for $106 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Texas Republican John Cornyn stated in his remarks on the Senate floor that the proposal had “zero chance of becoming law.”
“Our security cannot come second to that of other countries around the world, our allies, even those like Ukraine and Israel.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed publicly for the first time in a letter to the White House on Tuesday that his party would not provide aid to Ukraine unless Congress passed “transformative changes to our nation’s border security laws.”
Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelensky, expressed gratitude to Americans for their support, speaking in Washington hours ahead of the president’s scheduled speech. He also noted that more help was needed to ensure victory.
It’s very difficult for our people but Ukrainians are still very motivated. Our people believe and are sure that we will win.
