By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday for discussions a major Ukraine aid package that hasn’t yet gotten the green light from the U.S. Congress. Lawmakers are trying to make immigration and border policy changes contingent on the emergency aid package to provide funding for Ukraine and Israel. Zelensky’s third visit to the White House is particularly crucial since Russia has ramped up its weapons production which isn’t just an issue for Ukraine analysts say, but for the rest of Europe. Zelensky will speak to all U.S. senators on Tuesday morning hosted by Majority Leader Chuck Shumer. He will also meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Johnson’s office confirmed. In a statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, she said the meeting with Zelensky will “underscore the United States’ unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion.” Ukraine’s “urgent needs” will be discussed Jean-Pierre reiterated.
Biden and Zelensky will also talk about additional defense cooperation in a series of meetings on Tuesday, according to Zelensky’s presidency office. A statement from his office, said that Zelensky’s focus will be on “securing unity among the U.S., Europe and the rest of the world” regarding support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. There will also be discussion on “strengthening the international order based on rules and respect for the sovereignty of nations.” The two leaders are also expected to discuss joint projects to produce weapons and air defense systems. This is crucial, since according to media reports, Putin has ramped up ammunitions production, in addition to being supplied weapons from North Korea. If Ukraine doesn’t get the aid on time, it could leave Zelensky’s army open to the whims of Russia. Top officials in the Biden administration have been warning for weeks about the dire consequences for Ukraine if the U.S. can’t fund its defense and the horrific consequences that could follow.
The current aid package of $106 billion has $60 billion earmarked for Ukraine’s defense; with the rest going to fund Israel’s war against Hamas as well as security in Taiwan and funding for operations at the U.S.-Mexico border. The glitch in getting the aid to Ukraine is that Republicans want any additional funding tied to major immigration-related policy changes. Biden has reiterated that Putin can’t be allowed to win under any circumstances. Biden said he is willing to make “significant compromises on the border” while admitting that the U.S. immigration system is “broken.” But he stressed how critical Ukraine’s needs are, especially at this moment and criticized “extreme Republicans” for “playing chicken with our national security.” European leaders realize how crucial it is for Ukraine to get its funding with Germany set to provide a fresh round of aid to Ukraine as well. The risk that Putin could suddenly pounce on any one of Ukraine’s vulnerable neighbors is all too real and no one is fully ready to confront that possibility.
