Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit is to Washington to try to convince the United States to continue helping his country defend itself against Russia. In Congress, the Ukrainian president encountered Republican intransigence. A situation deplored during his stay at the White House.
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With our correspondent in Washington, Guillaume Naudin
“ I don’t want you to lose hope “. It is with these words that Joe Biden welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky to the Oval Office. A little earlier in Congress, the Ukrainian president was able to see that the Republicans do not intend to give in on their political line. No additional funding for aid to Ukraine without measures to better control migration flows at the southern border.
Even if he says he is open to discussion, Joe Biden explains that the situation puts Ukraine and its partners in danger. “ The world is watching what we do. We would simply send a horrible message to the aggressor and our allies if we disengaged now. And it would harm our national security “. Joe Biden is even talking about a Christmas present to Vladimir Putin, if nothing is done by the end of the year.
For the leader of the Republican minority in the Senate Mitch McConnel, it is practically impossible that the situation will be resolved by then. Yet this is what Volodymyr Zelensky is asking for. “ It is very important that by the end of the year we can send a very strong signal from our unity to the aggressor. The unity of Ukraine, America and Europe and the whole free world “.
Lacking commitment to the future, Volodymyr Zelensky leaves with $200 million in anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition. Perhaps the last tranche of aid for a while.
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