Zelensky to visit White House as aid package stalls in Congress 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is slated to visit the White House on Tuesday as an aid package for the war-torn country remains stalled in Congress.

President Biden invited Zelensky for a meeting at the White House to “underscore the United States’ unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion,” according to a Sunday statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

“As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’s continued support at this critical moment,” the statement continued.

Zelensky’s visit will come less than a week after Senate Republicans last week blocked a bill that would provide aid to Ukraine and Israel in their respective fights against Russia and the militant group Hamas. Senate Republicans cited the legislation’s lack of border provisions and have repeatedly insisted on withholding votes unless satisfactory remedies are attached to the motion.

In a 49-51 vote, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voted with every Republican against the measure, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) switched his vote to “no” to allow him to bring the bill back up again in the future.

The $111 billion emergency supplemental package was requested by Biden in October, and it also included aid for Indo-Pacific allies and funding for humanitarian aid in Gaza, the border and drug trafficking.

In the wake of such divisions among lawmakers that are preventing passage of Ukraine aid, the White House warned congressional leaders last week that the government is “out of money and nearly out of time” to continue giving aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s war is approaching the two-year mark this winter, prompting some lawmakers to express hesitancy toward continued aid.

This visit will be Zelensky’s third to the White House since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Zelensky traveled to Washington last December for an unprecedented visit that underscored the U.S. support at the time for Ukraine amid its war against Russia.

Biden then hosted Zelensky at the White House in September, when the two leaders also had to make the case for continuing aid to Ukraine on Capitol Hill. The president traveled to Ukraine in February of this year to meet with Zelensky in Kyiv.

Updated at 4:10 pm.