Ukraine's Zelenskyy expected to visit Washington as Congress debates $24 billion in military, humanitarian aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit the White House and Capitol Hill next week as part of his tour to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly.

Zelenskyy’s visit comes as Congress debates President Joe Biden’s proposal for up to $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine as it faces Russia.

According to an administration source who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive visit, Zelenskyy will meet with Biden at the White House on Thursday. Two congressional officials who requested anonymity to discuss the arrangements confirmed the trip to the Capitol.

In December 2022, the Ukrainian president paid a wartime visit to Washington and delivered an emotional address to a joint session of Congress. It was his first known journey outside his nation since Russia invaded the country in February of that year.

In his speech to cheering lawmakers, Zelenskyy praised Americans for their contributions to the war effort, saying that the money is “not charity,” but an “investment” in world security and democracy.

Details on Zelenskyy’s visit next week have yet to be released. Punchbowl News broke the story first.

The White House National Security Council did not respond to questions about Zelenskyy’s intentions, including whether he will meet with Biden at the White House.

Meanwhile, the Treasury and State departments announced they were imposing new sanctions on more than 150 individuals and entities connected with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US was “continuing our relentless work to target Russia’s military supply chains and deprive (Russian President Vladimir) Putin of the equipment, technology, and services he needs to wage his barbaric war on Ukraine.”

Congress is increasingly divided over providing additional funding for Ukraine as the war is well into its second year. Biden has sought a package of $13.1 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine and $8.5 billion for humanitarian support. It also includes $2.3 billion for financing and to catalyze donors through the World Bank.

But conservative Republican lawmakers have been pushing for broad federal spending cuts and some of those allied with Donald Trump, the former president, are specifically looking to stop money to Ukraine.

Congress is working to pass its annual appropriations bills before a Sept. 30 deadline to keep the U.S. government running.

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