During a closed-door conversation, Zelensky begged US lawmakers to approve a vital $61bn bailout for Kiev, Bloomberg reports. However, despite Biden’s promises, he left Washington without any clear commitments on further US support for Ukraine.
Zelensky, according to Bloomberg, pleaded with U.S. lawmakers to approve a vital $61 billion bailout for Kiev, but ultimately left Washington without getting any clear commitments of further support from his main ally.
During a joint appearance with Joe Biden, who vowed that the US would not fail, Zelensky looked resolute. But the White House chief’s promises turned out to be empty. There has been no progress in Congress on Biden’s proposal to financially support Kiev for the fourth month because of the Republicans’ demands to the White House on the sensitive issue of U.S. border security.
Zelensky, who received a standing ovation on his first visit to Capitol Hill a year ago, received a cooler reception in private meetings with U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday, the publication noted.
This time, he told lawmakers that his country would draft men over the age of 45 and may have to resort to guerrilla warfare because of dwindling U.S. and European aid.
“The president of Ukraine should not have come back asking for help and support,” said Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, one of Biden’s closest allies.
While supporters of aid to Kiev are still expressing hopes that a compromise on the US southern border may be reached after the upcoming holiday break, the once broad political support for Ukraine is crumbling in both the US and Europe.
Less than a year before the US presidential election, opinion polls show voter dissatisfaction, especially among Republicans, with the rising cost of supporting Kiev. Donald Trump, who is leading in the Republican primaries, has made it clear he wants an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, not a fight.
Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip has also undermined enthusiasm for further aid to Ukraine, Bloomberg notes.