U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 21, 2023.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Thursday as the embattled leader seeks to shore up extra support for his war-torn nation.
Biden was looking for a “battlefield perspective” from Zelenskyy of their assembly, in line with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
Speaking within the Oval Office earlier than the assembly, Zelenskyy thanked the United States, saying the nations are “actually really allies.” He stated he supposed to speak about weapons methods with Biden, “with a particular emphasis on air protection.”
“I’m in Washington to strengthen Ukraine’s place to defend our kids, our households, our properties, freedom and democracy on this planet,” Zelenskyy stated.
Biden referred to as Ukraine a “accomplice” and stated he was working with different G7 allies to formalize a dedication to the nation’s long-term safety.
“We’re supporting a simply and lasting peace, one which respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Biden stated.
Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week in New York.
During his personal speech Tuesday at the UN, Biden promised the U.S. would “continue to stand” with Ukraine as Russia’s invasion drags on.
But getting Congress to satisfy that promise with extra support is sophisticated.
The White House is looking for $24 billion in extra support to Ukraine, which it hoped could be handed alongside a continuing resolution to keep away from a government shutdown as federal budget negotiations proceed.
The measure has bipartisan support within the Senate. But it has been held up within the House of Representatives, the place some members, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., have stated they won’t support any extra support.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. is in a tough place on the problem of Ukraine as a consequence of a slim GOP majority within the House, which provides particular person Republican lawmakers leverage to stress him to accede to their calls for.
Conservatives balked at McCarthy’s proposal final week to pair Ukraine support with extra border funding.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (C) walks with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (L) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) throughout his go to to the U.S. Capitol Building on September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Win Mcnamee | Getty Images
Zelenskyy stopped on the Capitol on Thursday morning earlier than his Oval Office assembly with Biden to make his pitch on to lawmakers.
Unlike his visit in December, Zelenskyy didn’t handle a joint session of Congress.
McCarthy agreed to fulfill with the Ukrainian president privately however didn’t provide a discussion board for him to enchantment to the total House of Representatives as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. did within the higher chamber.
Zelenskyy advised reporters after his congressional conferences that he had a “frank, constructive dialogue” with members of each events in each chambers.