President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has been invited to visit the White House on Tuesday by Vice President Joe Biden. This shows that the US is fully committed to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia. This comes at a time when the Biden administration is working harder to get Congress to give more money to help Kyiv fight Moscow.
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Urgent Discussions on Ukraine’s Needs
The White House said that Zelenskyy’s visit is to talk about the conflict getting worse and Russia’s increased use of missiles and drones to attack Ukraine. The leaders will talk about Ukraine’s urgent needs and stress how important it is for the U.S. to keep helping at this crucial time.
President Biden has asked Congress for a wartime funding package worth $110 billion to help Ukraine, Israel, and other national security goals. But the request is mixed up in arguments about U.S. immigration policy and border security.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed how important it is for Ukraine that things get done quickly. Blinken worried that Russia could move forward without being stopped if it didn’t get more money, which would be very dangerous for Ukraine.
READ ALSO: Biden invites Zelenskyy to White House amid push for Congress to approve more aid
Challenges in Congress and Emergency Aid to Israel
Even though there is a conflict going on and money is needed, Biden’s aid package is having trouble in Congress, mostly because of the current immigration debate. When Secretary Blinken defended the emergency sale of tank ammunition to Israel, he pointed out that Israel’s military actions in Gaza needed the supplies right away.
Blinken said that while the sale of tank ammunition went around Congress, the larger aid package needs to be approved quickly to meet important foreign needs. The administration tries to find a balance between talking about domestic policy and meeting the pressing needs of Ukraine and Israel.
The fact that both Democrats and Republicans are talking about the situation in Congress shows how complicated it is. For example, Republicans want to deal with border security issues along with foreign aid packages.
READ ALSO: Biden invites Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet with him at the White House
